Chicago Composers Orchestra: The ensemble under music director Matthew Kasper concludes its inaugural season with an entire program of new and recent works by Chicago composers. Included will be world premieres by Marcos Balter, Seth Boustead, Sarah Ritch and Ben Hjertmann, along with George Flynn’s “Quietude.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Gottlieb Hall, Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria St.; $10-$15; chicagocomposersorchestra.org
Elgin Symphony Orchestra: Robert Hanson, conducts, with Joyce Yang, piano, in works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff. 1:30 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday at The Hemmens, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin; $16-$66; 847-888-4000, elginsymphony.org
Ensemble Dal Niente: Chicago’s excellent contemporary group continues its Dal Niente Presents series featuring new works curated by ensemble members. Among them are world premieres by Chicago composers Marcos Balter and Carolyn O’Brien, along with pieces by Bernhard Lang and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Performers include Andy Nogal, oboe, and Mabel Kwan, piano. 7:30 p.m. Monday at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; $5; 812-786-2031, dalniente.com
Northshore Concert Band: In works by Bennett, Kozhevnikov and others. 3 p.m. Sunday at Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston; $6-$15; 847-432-2263
Oscar Ghiglia; Anne Walker; Mark Maxwell: The celebrated Italian guitarist joins Northwestern faculty guitarist Walker and DePaul faculty guitarist Maxwell for a program of solos, duos and trios by Ponce, Mertz, Falla and Barrios. Part of the Bienen School Summer Guitar Workshop taking place Saturday through Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lutkin Hall, Northwestern University, 700 University Place, Evanston; $18, $15 for seniors; 847-467-4000, 847-491-3141, pickstaiger.org
Grant Park Music Festival: Principal conductor (and recently named artistic director) Carlos Kalmar leads the Grant Park Orchestra in the opening concert of the 77th free outdoor classical music festival, one of the best summer bargains to be found anywhere in the country, at a spectacular venue in the heart of the city. Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” and Ravel’s jazzy Piano Concerto in G major (Jean-Philippe Collard, soloist) make up the program. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, 100 N. Michigan Ave.; free; 312-742-7638, grantparkmusicfestival.com
Rush Hour Concerts: The popular summer series of free chamber concerts (with refreshments and conversation) by top local and international musicians continues its 12th season. Music of Latin America is performed by Jessica Warren-Acosta, flute, and Marguerite Lynn Williams, harp. 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron St.; free; 773-338-9480, rushhour.org
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