Since its beginnings as a small string orchestra in 1976, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) has grown to a community of eight large ensembles and nearly thirty chamber music ensembles. Directed by nationally recognized leaders in music education, EYSO ensembles have performed at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, the Ravinia Festival, the Illinois State Capitol, and on 98.7WFMT, Chicago’s classical music radio. EYSO’s ensembles perform masterworks of the classical repertoire, challenging and inspiring their members to ever-higher levels of creativity, musicianship, and collaboration.