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Evanston Symphony Orchestra

Lawrence Eckerling, Music Director

Mission & Goals

Mission Statement

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra uses the power of music to lift the human spirit. We engage and enrich the community by coming together to perform, inspire and educate.

Adam Neiman playing with the ESO
 
Music in Your World

Annual Review

View our latest Annual Review newsletter as an Acrobat PDF file.

Goals

To provide local, convenient and affordable opportunities for community members of all ages to hear fine classical music from locally, nationally and internationally renowned artists.

  • 4 season concerts and one holiday benefit concert performed with diverse programming, good soloists, accessible location and quality performance.
  • Contracted performances as requested.
  • Ticket prices reasonable compared to other arts performances in the area.

To provide an outlet for the musical talents of people who reside in Evanston and surrounding communities.
To provide programs specifically for youth and older adults to attend and enjoy our concerts.

  • ‘Kidnotes’ – special program notes for younger audience members.
  • Music In Your World – a music program for Head Start children to introduce music in an engaging, structured program
  • Free pre-concert lectures, Musical Insights, and recitals.

Maintain current financial strength through effective marketing, public relations and fundraising efforts.

Inclusiveness Statement And Policies

In keeping with its mission, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra welcomes ALL people from the Evanston, North Shore and surrounding communities by playing and presenting the world’s greatest music by and for everyone: From preschool music education for the underserved to adult music education, from a holiday event for all to music presentations for seniors, but most of all through the performance of great music by artistically-outstanding volunteer musicians from the community, ESO is a unique artistic resource with a focus always on excellence.

That excellence is always compatible with inclusiveness.

In that regard, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra Association has the following policies:

    1. Discrimination by reason of race, sex, age, creed, disability, color, national origin, socioeconomic / citizenship status, or gender or sexual identification / preference is unacceptable.

    2. Wherever and whenever possible and consistent with the orchestra’s artistic standards and needs, individuals belonging to historically marginalized groups will be encouraged to participate in ESO, whether as Orchestra members, soloists, Board members, volunteers or otherwise. The goal is to engage new and diverse audience members, orchestra members and volunteers, in a welcoming and comfortable context.

    3. Further activities by ESO leadership to support inclusiveness, in addition to those which have already been approved by the Board, are encouraged and will be supported, based on the availability of resources and subject to normal Board approval.

    4. In keeping with its mission, and enabled by its volunteer musicians and board, ESO will strive to continue its policy of presenting its performances at affordable prices, welcoming the entire community to participate, and to continue to underwrite music education and community engagement programs.