Lake Forest Symphony Information

ABOUT THE SYMPHONY Celebrating more than 50 years, the Lake Forest Symphony is the only fully professional orchestra in Lake County. The orchestra was named Illinois Orchestra of the Year in 2006 by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. The Lake Forest Symphony presents five concert pairs in its Classical Series and regularly features prominent guest artists. 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 BRIEF HISTORY Robert Kalter and William English founded the Lake Forest Symphony in 1957 as a chamber orchestra of volunteer musicians. By 1965 the group had over 60 players, and in 1988 became fully professional. Under the visionary leadership of conductors Victor Aitay, Paul Anthony McRae, and David Itkin, the Symphony firmly established a distinguished reputation. Alan Heatherington became Music Director in 2000 and brought the Orchestra to the high artistic level it is now known for in the Chicago arts community. In 1991 the Symphony was chosen from twelve orchestras in the Midwest to be a featured guest orchestra at the League of American Orchestra’s National Conference in Chicago. In 1995 and again in 2006, the Illinois Council of Orchestras named the Lake Forest Symphony the Illinois Orchestra of the Year.