About the Symphony

Celebrating its 50th season, the Lake Forest Symphony is the only fully professional orchestra in Lake County. The orchestra, named Illinois Orchestra of the Year in 2006 and currently under the baton of Alan Heatherington, Illinois Conductor of the Year for 2005, the Lake Forest Symphony presents five concert pairs in our Classical Series; prominent guest artists are regularly featured. This season we look forward to welcoming pianist Jorge Federico Osorio, violinist Ilya Kaler and cellist Stephen Balderston, Kathryne Pirtle, clarinet and Robert Barris, bassoon, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, alto Tracy Watson, tenor Daniel Holmes, bass Ricardo Hererra, and the Chicago Master Singers.

The Lake Forest Symphony Concertmaster is Ilya Kaler. Associate Concertmaster is Stephen Boe.

A pre-concert lecture by music researcher Jim Kendros enhances each performance. Receptions follow every performance where audience members are given the opportunity to meet orchestra members and relax with refreshments and conversation.

As is often said, “The children of today are the musicians and the audience of tomorrow.” Because education is extremely important, the Lake Forest Symphony strives to reach as many young children and students as we can during the season. Currently, our outreach reaches thousands of school children throughout Northern Illinois. We accomplish this through our age-appropriate Youth Concerts. These programs bring students to the performance hall to hear the full orchestra perform a program specifically geared towards them. A variety of Traveling Ensembles bring the magic of music to schools with presentations, small concerts, a question and answer opportunity, and engaging demonstrations.

Additionally, the Lake Forest Symphony operates its own music school. Currently with a student body of over 700 students, the school strives to instill a life-long appreciation of music and to train and nurture future musicians and musical audiences. In addition to offering individual lessons, the school teaches group lessons to younger children and offers “Music Together,” a program tailored for infants and toddlers with their parents or caregivers.

For 26 years the Lake Forest Symphony proudly sponsored the community's annual 4th of July Concert on the Green, bringing the community together with music, food, fun and fireworks. This patriotic event traditionally included a performance of the 1812 Overture complete with live cannon. In 2006, the Symphony sponsored the fireworks portion of the community's 4th of July celebration in collaboration with the City of Lake Forest.

About the Symphony

History

Mission Statement


About the Symphony Celebrating its 50th season, the Lake Forest Symphony is the only fully professional orchestra in Lake County. The orchestra, named Illinois Orchestra of the Year in 2006 and currently under the baton of Alan Heatherington, Illinois Conductor of the Year for 2005, the Lake Forest Symphony presents five concert pairs in our Classical Series; prominent guest artists are regularly featured. This season we look forward to welcoming pianist Jorge Federico Osorio, violinist Ilya Kaler and cellist Stephen Balderston, Kathryne Pirtle, clarinet and Robert Barris, bassoon, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, alto Tracy Watson, tenor Daniel Holmes, bass Ricardo Hererra, and the Chicago Master Singers. The Lake Forest Symphony Concertmaster is Ilya Kaler. Associate Concertmaster is Stephen Boe. A pre-concert lecture by music researcher Jim Kendros enhances each performance. Receptions follow every performance where audience members are given the opportunity to meet orchestra members and relax with refreshments and conversation. As is often said, “The children of today are the musicians and the audience of tomorrow.” Because education is extremely important, the Lake Forest Symphony strives to reach as many young children and students as we can during the season. Currently, our outreach reaches thousands of school children throughout Northern Illinois. We accomplish this through our age-appropriate Youth Concerts. These programs bring students to the performance hall to hear the full orchestra perform a program specifically geared towards them. A variety of Traveling Ensembles bring the magic of music to schools with presentations, small concerts, a question and answer opportunity, and engaging demonstrations. Additionally, the Lake Forest Symphony operates its own music school. Currently with a student body of over 700 students, the school strives to instill a life-long appreciation of music and to train and nurture future musicians and musical audiences. In addition to offering individual lessons, the school teaches group lessons to younger children and offers “Music Together,” a program tailored for infants and toddlers with their parents or caregivers. For 26 years the Lake Forest Symphony proudly sponsored the community's annual 4th of July Concert on the Green, bringing the community together with music, food, fun and fireworks. This patriotic event traditionally included a performance of the 1812 Overture complete with live cannon. In 2006, the Symphony sponsored the fireworks portion of the community's 4th of July celebration in collaboration with the City of Lake Forest.	History A brief history of the Lake Forest Symphony. Mission Statement “The Lake Forest Symphony exists to present exciting, outstanding, and diverse musical programs of the highest artistic and professional quality for audiences of all ages. Principal programs center around classical music performed by a professional symphony orchestra. Education programs reach young people, including underprivileged and minority audiences, through school and concert hall performances, providing enrichment and inspiration.”