New Lenox Teen Among Elite Musicians In Wisconsin Symphony Academy

DOOR COUNTY, WI — Elliot Schaffrath, a talented young musician from New Lenox, spent the past two weeks in Door County, Wisconsin studying at Birch Creek Music Performance Center. Schaffrath, a student at Lincoln-Way West High School, was among 63 musicians from throughout the country to attend the Symphony session at this prestigious academy whose unique mission is to provide intensive, performance-based instruction to promising young musicians by immersing them in a professional, mentoring environment.

Birch Creek celebrates its 49th concert season in 2024 and continues to support a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 2:1. This provides students with an abundance of personal attention from their faculty mentors, who represent top music educators and performers from around the country. Students are given the opportunity to hone their technical skills and learn all the aspects of life as a professional musician firsthand. During their two-week residency this summer, students attending the Symphony session performed six concerts alongside their teachers in front of paying concertgoers.

New Lenox-based Matthew Barwegen has taught Schaffrath for seven years. Schaffrath has played with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well.

"Really—all across the board dedication," Barwegen said, of Schaffrath's talent. "He’s played solos with his orchestra in high school, which is really quite a feat."

Schaffrath has also auditioned for higher position in the CYSO, he added.

"... Just really taking every opportunity to advance," Barwegen said.

Ricardo Castañeda is the Program Director of the Symphony session. 2024 marks his 27th year on faculty at Birch Creek, and 24th year as Program Director. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from Northwestern University. Castañeda is currently Principal Oboist with the Chicago Sinfonietta and solo English Horn with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.

Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin is a residential summer music academy for advanced young musicians. With a performance emphasis, students are taught by nationally-known performers and educators during the day, and perform in concerts alongside them at night. Four sessions focus on Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music; Symphony, and Big Band Jazz. 2024 concert and session dates are posted at BirchCreek.org/Tickets.

2024 Concert Schedule
Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music: June 20-22, 27-29
Symphony: July 4-6, 11-13
Big Band Jazz (Two Sessions): July 17-20, 24-27 | July 31-August 3, August 7-10