Elgin Symphony Orchestra Music Direct Robert Hanson will retire July 1.BocaJump Staff
Robert Hanson, the iconic director who for 37 years has helped guide and lead the Elgin Symphony Orchestra to national recognition, will step down from his position on July 1.
Hanson announced his retirement to the ESO board during its meeting late Thursday afternoon, ESO Communications Manager Heidi Zwart Healy said Friday.
“Bob made a statement to the board in which he expressed a great deal of affection and support for the orchestra and the organization,” Healy said.
According to an ESO release, Hanson said his decision to retire came “after months of soul-searching” and a desire to enjoy many healthy years of retirement with his family. During his remarks to the board, Hanson said the organization is fully staffed, enabling the ESO to remain stable and flexible during the search for a new music director.
Healy said the board will initiate the search for a new music director immediately.
According to the ESO’s release on Hanson’s announcement, he reflected upon the highlights of his 37 years employed with the ESO and acknowledged the inherent challenges of evolving with an orchestra’s growth and changes in direction.
“Be careful to cherish this precious orchestra and protect it with your hearts and souls,” he advised.
Hanson expressed praise and affection for the ESO’s musicians, complimenting the orchestra on its June 10-12 concerts, proclaiming that the ESO played “one of the greatest and most convincing performances” of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky he had ever experienced. He added, the release states, “Last weekend was the pinnacle of my career because the orchestra set a new standard of performance.”
“I want to share my appreciation to those of you who gave me the opportunity to build this orchestra into one of the great ensembles of the country,” Hanson said in his final remarks to the ESO board. “Every time I have stepped onto the podium, I have felt privileged, humbled, and awed by the talent of these incredible musicians. They brought an unprecedented musical experience to our region.”
The ESO’s release quotes Judson University President Jerry B. Cain, who also is president of the ESO board of directors: “Without a doubt, Robert Hanson has been instrumental in bringing the ESO to the prominence and stature that it enjoys today. A few words of thanks are simply not enough for all that he has accomplished.”
“Preparations for a search to find a new music director will begin immediately,” continued Cain. “The ESO will update the community as we solidify our plans.”Douglas Steensland founded the ESO in 1950 at Elgin Community College. Grammy Award-winning conductor Margaret Hillis was brought on as music director in 1971. Hanson, a conductor/composer, came on board as associate conductor in 1974, and became co-music director with Hillis in 1983. Hanson took over as music director in 1985, the same year, the ESO became a professional orchestra.
In 1996, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra moved its administrative and box offices from Elgin Community College, the ESO’s home for nearly 50 years, to downtown Elgin.
More recently, the Illinois General Assembly has named the ESO “a State Treasure,” and the Illinois Council of Orchestras has named the ESO “Orchestra of the Year” an unprecedented three times.
The ESO performs more 60 concerts a year for more than 50,000 people throughout the Chicago region and into Wisconsin and Indiana. In addition, the ESO’s education initiatives reach approximately 20,000 children, teachers, families, and young musicians per year through a variety of participatory music programs. The ESO has been recognized locally and nationally for its community service efforts including its leading role in “Elgin: Home for the Holidays” and its innovative Musicians Care program that features ESO ensembles and soloists performing for patients, families and health care providers in a variety of settings.
