Have you ever heard a tuba soloist in an orchestral performance? If not, this is a concert you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendars now for an exhilarating afternoon of music starring Eugene Pokorny, principal tuba of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who joins the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra in “Brass Fanfare II” on Sunday, November 13, at 3:00 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Resounding with magnificent music featuring the powerhouse of the orchestra—the brass—the program includes the exciting world premiere of Terry Everson’s Brass Fanfare II, performed by Mr. Pokorny and area high school brass players, commissioned especially for this concert. You will also enjoy Verdi’s La Forza del Destino Overture and Vaughan Williams’ Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra with Mr. Pokorny as soloist. In honor of Veterans’ Day, the orchestra will perform the Armed Forces Salute. Veterans and active duty members of the military are invited to come in uniform. Tickets for all current, retired and former military personnel will be offered at half-price; please call 630-941-0202 to purchase tickets. Generous sponsors of the concert are Keith and Irmgard Olson (music scores) and Shirley Myers (guest soloist Eugene Pokorny.)
Gene Pokorny has been the tuba player in the Chicago Symphony since 1989. In addition to playing film scores in Hollywood, such as Jurassic Park and The Fugitive, he has played in chamber music ensembles, opera orchestras and orchestra festivals worldwide. He grew up in Downey, CA, about a mile from where the Apollo command modules that first took man to the moon were built. He studied tuba in Southern California and in recent years has returned to that area annually, teaching, playing and lecturing at the Pokorny Seminar given at the University of Redlands. He assisted Rolling Stones’ trombonist, Michael Davis, in the production of his “Twenty Minute Warm-Up,” along with having solo and educational CDs of his own. He has received an Outstanding Alumnus Award and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southern California and University of Redlands, respectively. Pokorny is a member of the Union Pacific (Railroad) Historical Society and spends time as a “foamer” (watching and chasing trains). He is a card-carrying member of The Three Stooges Fan Club (a “victim of soicumstances!”) and is an avid enthusiast of his good friend, David “Red” Lehr, the greatest Dixieland sousaphonist in the known universe.
Immediately following the concert enjoy an all-you-can-eat pizza party in the Garden Room of the church, with pizza from DiLeo’s for $15 per person. Please call 630-941-0202 or visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org to reserve your spot.
The Elmhurst Symphony, under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Dr.Stephen Alltop, performs at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located at 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst. The church has accessible parking and facilities; parking is free. The concert experience at ECRC is enhanced by the informative and lively discussion, Behind the Music Stand, led by audience favorite Dr. Ted Hatmaker, which takes place at 1:45 p.m. prior to the concert.
Concert tickets are $32 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $9 for students. Group and family rates are also available. Save on ticket costs with a 2016-17 season subscription; three- and four-concert subscriptions are still available and can be purchased at the concert, by visiting www.elmhurstsymphony.org, or by calling the Box Office at 630-941-0202. Subscriber benefits include purchase of additional single tickets for $25, free exchange of tickets (conditions apply), and subscriber-only special gatherings. .
The 56th season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and 90.9FM WDCB, Chicago’s Home for Jazz.