For Immediate Release June 4, 2014 Media Contacts: Rachel Elizabeth Maley, EYSO 630.849.4636 rmaley@eyso.org Ann Fink, Carol Fox & Associates 773.327.3830 x112 ann@carolfoxassociates.com
INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF IRAQ MAKES ITS U.S. DEBUT IN COLLABOARIVE CONCERTS WITH ELGIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE ECC ARTS CENTER AUGUST 16-17 CALENDAR LISTING The internationally acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of Iraq (NYOI) caps three weeks of intensive study in the U.S. with two collaborative concerts with Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) at the ECC Arts Center located in Building H on the Elgin Community College Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Ill. Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 at 7:30 p.m. These concerts mark the U.S. debut of NYOI. Works scheduled to be performed include Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto (with soloist Angelia Cho), Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, and two new commissions by Iraqi composers Amir ElSaffar (amirelsaffar.com) and Abdullah Jamal Sagirma. Tickets are $25 ($20 for students with ID and seniors age 65+). VIP tickets are $35 and include a meet and greet with the NYOI and EYSO artists following the performances. Tickets go on sale June 16. For tickets or more information call 847.622.0300 or visit tickets.elgin.edu. This concert is made possible with support from the following collaborating organizations: National Youth Orchestra of Iraq, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Northern Illinois University, Elgin Community College Arts Center, the Iraq Foundation, the U.S. Embassy and the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. # # # Founded in 2009 by a 17-year-old pianist in Baghdad, the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq (NYOI), under the direction of Paul MacAlindin, is a group of 44 musicians aged 18-29 from all across the country who overcome ethnic, religious, language, and gender barriers to study and perform music together. Having performed to sold-out audiences in Germany, the UK, and France, the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq makes their American debut this summer with performances in Elgin, Ill.; Washington, DC and New York City. By traveling abroad, the musicians of NYOI share their message of reconciliation and harmony with a global audience, and learn artistic and collaborative skills to rebuild the musical landscape of Iraq. Learn more and support the U.S. tour at kck.st/QKiVOy. The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO), under the artistic direction of Randal Swiggum, is an In-Residence Ensemble in the Arts Center at Elgin Community College and is home to five orchestras and a brass choir with 350 students from more than 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. For more information, visit eyso.org. The ECC Arts Center, located in Building H on the Elgin Community College Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, presents amazing artists in intimate theater settings. Parking is plentiful and free. For more information about the ECC Arts Center, visit tickets.elgin.edu or call 847.622.0300. The Arts Center also can be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/ECCArtsCenter. Become a fan of the Arts Center on Facebook at facebook.com/ECCArtsCenter. # # #