All season long, students have been following The Little Prince on his six-year journey pondering the lessons revealed in this generation-transcending tale as they learn and perform the season’s repertoire. On May 5, students will give their final performances of the season as they say goodbye to The Little Prince as part of a concert day with performances at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m..

“The tears of saying goodbye — something the Fox warned the Little Prince about in the book — are part of loving, of forging ties, of investing in someone or something besides oneself,” says Artistic Director Randal Swiggum. “Those, and many other memories, are what we celebrate at this season finale performance.”

The Little Prince reminds us of the importance of retaining our youthful sense of wonder as we continue into adulthood. The 7:30 p.m. concert features Edward Elgar’s Slumber Scene and Fairies and Giants from The Wand of Youth.

Jay Reiter

This concert also features Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 107 composed by Dmitri Shostakovich and performed by Reiter, the winner of the 2018-19 EYSO Young Artists Concerto Competition.

Another highlight is the Maud Powell String Quartet’s performance of Edvard Grieg’s String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27.

At the beginning of the concert day, the 2 p.m. performance features two “Only in Elgin” pieces.

First, Alleluia was composed by Henry Purcell, adapted by Benjamin Britten and specially arranged for strings by Prelude conductor Andy Masters. Holding to Prelude tradition, the ensemble will end its season by performing the timeless, heart-warming classic by Harold Arlen, Over the Rainbow.

Harry Graham

Attendees at the 4:30 p.m. concert will journey over the rainbow and into the stars with Philharmonia’s performance of Gustav Holst’s Uranus, the Magician from The Planets.

This concert also features Concerto for Viola in D major, Franz Anton Hoffmeister, performed by Graham, the winner of the 2018-19 Philharmonia Young Artists Concerto Competition.

As the premier ensemble of the EYSO, the Maud Powell String Quartet is among five EYSO active and high-profile performing honors chamber ensembles. And the Youth Symphony will bid the season a poignant goodbye with its 20th anniversary performance of The Turtle Dove.

Sunday’s performances not only celebrate the close of another successful season, but the recognition of two very special people. EYSO will recognize Kathy Heikkinen as 2019 Outstanding Music Educator of the Year, and Anthony Riani, as EYSO Servant Leader.

Heikkinen and Riani will be recognized on stage during each concert and will be celebrated at a 6:15 p.m. reception at before the 7:30 p.m. concert.

Visit EYSO.org to learn more about these two outstanding individuals.

About the EYSO

EYSO serves nearly 400 students from 70 communities and has a national reputation for providing students with an engaging musical experience and a comprehensive learning environment of curiosity, imagination, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Students explore a thematic curriculum each season – one which helps students develop artistically and technically, and prepare them for a future of complex ideas, creative risk-taking, and leadership as global citizen. This approach has led hundreds of alumni to successful careers as professional musicians, educators, and strong leaders in every field.