Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO), an In-Residence Ensemble in the Arts Center at Elgin Community College, is home to five orchestras, a brass choir, a percussion ensemble and a thriving Chamber Music Institute (CMI) with 350 students from over 60 communities. Founded in 1976, the mission of the EYSO is to create a community of young musicians, enriching their lives and the lives of their families, schools, communities and beyond, through the study and performance of excellent music. Musicians work and study under Artistic Director Randal Swiggum who celebrated his 16th year with the organization this past season. The EYSO is partially supported by grants from the EFS Foundation, the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Grand Victoria Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), and the Palmer Foundation.
