Join the Evanston Community 2020 Virtual Choir

Evanston Civic Chorus music director Nathan Baxter is leading a virtual choir this spring to bring together current and former members of the chorus and the orchestra, as well as friends, family, and neighbors.  Whether you live in the Evanston area or have moved away, we need you to sing with us!

The first step is to learn the music on your own using the provided PDF and practice tracks on this web page.  The song by Thomas Tallis, "If Ye Love Me" is not very long.

Then just wait for instructions on how to video record yourself and where to upload the recording.  Details will be posted online as they become available.


by Sara

COVID-19 Forces Postponement of Spring Concert

Holiday Concert - December 19, 2019

The Evanston Civic Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Matthew Mainella, is excited to perform some holiday favorites at their December 19th concert. With pieces such as "Jingle Bells" and selections from "The Nutcracker," the whole family will be entertained and feel the joy of the season.

 

A highlight of the concert will be a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" set to music by Anthony DiLorenzo.  Michelle Kallas, Uinta County Library Children's Librarian will be the narrator.  The orchestra also looks forward to combining with the Evanston Civic Chorus for several pieces, including Mack Wilberg's arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High."

This free concert will be at Davis Middle School on the 19th, starting at 7:00 pm.  Refreshments will be served at a reception following the performance.

by Sara

ECOC Fundraiser at NU2U - October 26, 2019

Don't miss out on a great bargain this Saturday, October 26th, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Evanston's thrift store, NU2U.  Your purchases during that time will be supporting the Evanston Civic Orchestra and Chorus, as NU2U will generously be donating 80% of all thrift store sales to ECOC.

Trying to piece together a Halloween costume?  Looking for materials for fall crafting?  Sad that yard sale season is over?  NU2U is the place to start your fall shopping this Saturday. 

NU2U just recently changed location to a much larger store at 1624 Harrison Dr.  They even have a dedicated room for holiday decorations, clothing, housewares, and more!  Come early for the best selection, and bring your friends!  This fundraiser helps to support ECOC in producing their much-anticipated Christmas and spring concerts for the community.

by Sara

Register now to play in Evanston Civic Orchestra - Fall 2019

Registration is open for the Evanston Civic Orchestra.  All current and new members must register as soon as possible to claim your spot.  Register now.

by Sara

Night at the Movies - Concert on February 22, 2019

The Evanston Civic Orchestra invites the community for a fun evening of exciting, family-friendly musical entertainment at their last concert of the 2018 - 2019 performance season.

With familiar movie themes from The Lion King, The Pink Panther, classic westerns such as The Magnificent Seven and Hang 'Em High, several James Bond movies, and more, this concert, directed by Ramona Pace of Coalville, Utah, has something for everyone!

The orchestra is proud to feature graduating senior and talented violinist, Hyrum Cooper, as soloist in Schindler's List.

Mark your calendar for this free concert coming up on Friday, February 22nd, 7:00 p.m. at DMS. There will be refreshments afterwards.

by Sara

Aspen Cinemas Fundraiser for ECOC - December 20th

Did you enjoy our recent Handel's Messiah concerts in Kemmerer and Evanston?

Join the ECOC this Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Aspen Cinemas for a Movie Night fundraiser.  The theater will be donating 50% of all concession sales to ECOC, starting at 4:00 p.m. on that day.


by Sara

Two Performances of Handel's Messiah 2018

The Evanston Civic Orchestra is gearing up for this year's performances of George F. Handel's Messiah, on December 1st in Kemmerer, Wyoming and December 3rd in Evanston, Wyoming.  Both performances are free, with refreshments to be served afterwards.

by Sara

Rehearsals for Handel's Messiah to begin October 4th

Rehearsals for the 2018 ECOC performance of Handel's Messiah will start on October 4th, 6-8 pm at Evanston Middle School.  The rest of the rehearsals will be at Davis Middle School.  The Evanston Civic orchestra is particularly looking for new string players to join them this fall.  Other instrumentalists should contact the orchestra to sign up before the first rehearsal, as the parts are more limited.

The ECOC will perform in Kemmerer on Saturday, December 1st and in Evanston on Monday, December 3rd.

by Sara

Combined Spring Concert - May 7th

The orchestra is looking forward to the combined spring concert where they will be playing some great orchestral works that are very familiar, including "The Moldau" by Smetana and a movement from Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony." The Chorus will sing some beautiful songs, including "Dirait-on" and "Oh, My Love's Like a Red, Red Rose." The exciting finale of the concert will be a combined orchestra and chorus piece, "Dry Your Tears, Afrika" by John Williams. This free concert will take place on May 7th, 7:00 p.m. at Davis Middle School. Bring your families!

 
by Sara

Collaboration with BYU Chamber Orchestra - February 23, 2018

Evanston Civic Orchestra recently performed its first concert of the season on February 23rd.  This was a collaborative concert with the BYU Chamber Orchestra as part of the Arts Inc. Concert Series.

Evanston played with BYU for the first half of the concert, beginning with "Marching Song, Op 22, No 2" by Gustav Holst, directed by BYU conductor Kory Katseanes.  Evanston conductor, Nick Harker, then led the combined group in "Chanson de Nuit, Op. 15, No. 1" by Edward Elgar and "Water Music" by George F. Handel. 

After intermission, BYU Chamber Orchestra finished out the concert with Joseph Hayden's "Symphony No. 60, Il Distrato in C Major"  (More Photos)

by Sara

String Players - Join the Orchestra for the Spring Season!

String players are needed in the Evanston Civic Orchestra for this coming spring season, which starts on January 11th at Davis Middle School, 6-8 p.m.  Other instrumentalists are also welcome.  Contact us to show your interest, and come to rehearsal on Thursday ready to play.

The orchestra will collaborate with the BYU Chamber Orchestra on February 23rd as part of the The Arts Inc. Concert Series here in Evanson.  On May 7th they will join with the Evanston Civic Chorus for a spring concert.

Rehearsals are weekly throughout the spring season, 6-8 p.m. at Davis Middle School.  See this calendar for specific dates and exceptions.

by Sara

Evanston Community Christmas Gala - December 1st

Mark your calendars for the 6th Biennial Evanston Community Christmas Gala, December 1st at Davis Middle School, starting with a family Christmas party at 6:00.

The Evanston Civic Orchestra will be featured during the 7:00 concert, along with the Evanston Handbell Choir, Evanston Civic Chorus, church musical groups, and other small ensembles.

A community service slideshow during the concert will show how community members and organizations have been a light in the world during 2017. 

The highlight of the concert will be the combined choir and orchestra finale, "Away in a Manger."

Admission is free to this family-friendly event!


by Sara

Fall Concert - My Song in the Night - October 30th

You won't want to miss our fall concert on October 30th at 7:00 p.m. at Davis Middle School.

Our new director, Nick Harker, has chosen several fun pieces in the spirit of Halloween:

• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• Valse Triste by Jean Sibelius
• Intermezzo from Bizet's Carmen
• In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg

Then, looking forward to Thanksgiving, we will perform "My Song in the Night" with the Evanston Civic Chorus.

Refreshments will be served.  Bring your families!

by Sara

Fall Fundraiser at Aspen Cinemas - October 11th

We need everyone to help us out next week at our fall fundraiser.  Watch a movie and buy concessions or just buy concessions.  Spread the word!

by Sara

New members welcome for Fall 2017 Season

The orchestra will begin rehearsals for the fall 2017 season on August 31st from 6-8 p.m. at Davis Middle School.  Rehearsals will run at this same time on most Thursdays throughout the fall.  We'll be starting music for our fall concert on October 30th and the Christmas Gala on December 1st.

The orchestra is welcoming high school and adult musicians from Evanston and surrounding communities to join with us this fall.  Percussion, woodwind, brass, and string players are needed!  Please contact us if you have any questions about joining.  

by Sara

America the Beautiful - Spring Concert - May 25, 2017

The Evanston Civic Orchestra will join with the Evanston Civic Chorus to present America the Beautiful, a spring concert celebrating America.

We're excited to have soloist Jonathan Lange, from the Evanston Civic Chorus, join us for "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."  Chuck Brumbaugh will be featured as soloist on the trombone for "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child."

Join us on May 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Evanston Middle School.  The concert is free, families are invited, and refreshments will be served.

by Sara

ECO to join with Saxophobia for April 14th Concert

The ECO has been invited to join Rob Verdi in his extremely entertaining show, "Saxophobia," on April 14th.  They will play in four of the songs that evening:

• "Basin St Blues"
• "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"
• "Stardust"
• "Dixie Medley"

The concert is part of The Arts Inc Concert Series, and tickets are required.  They can be purchased at the door, but if you buy them from an ECO or ECC member, the ECOC will get half of the ticket sales as a donation from The Arts Inc.  They are very generous to support us in our fundraising efforts!  Adults are $15 and Students are $6


by Sara

Spring Rehearsals Start February 9th

All community members are invited to join the Evanston Civic Orchestra this spring, starting on February 9th.  Rehearsals continue weekly from 6-8 p.m on Thursdays at Davis Middle School.

We'll be combining with the Evanston Civic Chorus for an Americana-themed concert on May 25th.  Some of the songs include:

• "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius
• "Fiddle-Faddle" by Leroy Anderson
• "Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child"
• "Battle Hymn of the Republic" with the Evanston Civic Chorus
• "America the Beautiful" with the Evanston Civic Chorus

by Sara

Join us for our biennial production of Handel's Messiah in December.  We are excited to be collaborating this year with the Kemmerer Community Choir for two performances.  The first performance will be in Kemmerer on Saturday, December 10th.  The second one is in Evanston on Sunday, December 11th.  Both concerts begin at 6:00 and will be directed by James Arbizu.  They are free and refreshments will be served afterwards at a reception for everyone.

by Sara