Community Calendar

Experience the Rockford Symphony Orchestra through this FREE concert to sample what the 2026/27 RSO Season has to offer. This performance is an amazing opportunity to enjoy a night of engaging music and to experience the RSO and the Coronado for free! This concert is General Admission; no reservations are required.

Journey through the cosmos with the colorful storytelling of Holst’s The Planets. From the fury of Mars to the jolly giant Jupiter, the RSO explores the sounds of the Solar System. The evening also features violin soloist Philippe Quint performing beloved themes from Cinema Paradiso, Schindler’s List, Scent of a Woman, and other cinematic favorites. Join us for a powerful season opener that showcases the connection between classical music and the silver screen.

Experience the unforgettable music behind some of Hollywood’s most beloved films. From thrilling action and sweeping romance to moments of wonder and discovery, the music of John Williams has shaped the moviegoing experience for generations. Relive the excitement of your iconic favorites in an evening the whole family can enjoy.

Experience Mozart's final masterpiece and lasting legacy. Joined by the Nielsen Chamber Choir and four spectacular vocal soloists, the RSO highlights music’s emotional power to blend drama, beauty, loss, and hope. Connect through music in an evening of rich orchestral color, vocal expression, and reflection.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2026 | 8:00 PM

Tickets start at $64, Members save 30%
(All-in pricing includes $4 Box Office Fee. An $8 Order fee will be applied at checkout to the entire order)
Celebrate the season with the award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Chad Goodman, and the Elgin Master Chorale at Raue Center for the Arts! Enjoy festive holiday music, world-class performances, and a family-friendly experience that creates memories to last a lifetime.

Recommended: All Ages

This performance is sponsored by:

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Don’t forget to become a RaueNOW Member to save 30%!

*Prices vary according to zone. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Box Office Fee – A $4 per ticket charge to support the ticketing software.

Order Fee – A $8 per order charge that helps operate and invest back in our historic venue.

Premium Seat Fee – $6 Premium seat fee is based on location/additional leg room and indicated with a light blue color on the seating chart.

Patron Code of Conduct: Be courteous. Inform staff if you feel or observe any harassment. We reserve the right to remove any guest at any time. For more information, please visit rauecenter.org.

Questions? Contact our Box Office at 815-356-9212; boxoffice@rauecenter.org
Raue Center For The Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.

Celebrate the holidays with Rockford’s most joyful musical tradition. Gather with family and friends for unforgettable festive favorites, dazzling lights, and joyful surprises. Joined by the Nielsen Chorale and Kantorei Youth Choir, the RSO brings together nearly 200 musicians and guests to fill the Coronado with the sounds of the season. Share in the music and magic of the most wonderful time of the year.

Celebrate the holidays with Rockford’s most joyful musical tradition. Gather with family and friends for unforgettable festive favorites, dazzling lights, and joyful surprises. Joined by the Nielsen Chorale and Kantorei Youth Choir, the RSO brings together nearly 200 musicians and guests to fill the Coronado with the sounds of the season. Share in the music and magic of the most wonderful time of the year.

The piano takes center stage for one of the most beloved works ever written for piano and orchestra, featuring award-winning Young Concert Artist Chaeyoung Park. Paired with the contrasting energy of Kurt Weill’s “Fantasy” Symphony, the concert brings together two towering composers whose lives were deeply shaped by exile and whose final chapters unfolded in America.

From the elegance of Paris to the excitement of the circus, this all-French program celebrates imagination and orchestral color. Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé evokes a breathtaking sunrise and some of the lushest writing in the orchestral repertoire, while Saint-Saëns takes us on a musical tour through the animal kingdom. The concert concludes with Ravel’s hypnotic Boléro, an orchestral tour de force.

Passion and spectacle come together in a season finale that celebrates the power of musical storytelling with Manuel de Falla’s La Vida Breve, which captures the spirit of Spain. The evening also features the regional premiere of Andrea Casarrubios’ Cello Concerto No. 2, a work co-commissioned by the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. The program then concludes with Respighi’s Pines of Rome, which culminates in one of the most breathtaking endings.