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Community Corner

LAKE FOREST CIVIC ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES BIG CHANGES FOR 2014-2015 SEASON

The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is pleased to announce the selection of four guest conductors for the upcoming 2014-2015 season. Each guest conductor will lead the orchestra in one of its regularly scheduled classical performances, and one conductor will be selected at the end of the season to be the orchestra’s new music director.

Mark your calendar today for the following performances: Christopher Ramaekers (Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) conducts at the upcoming Sept. 28 concert; Lawrence Eckerling (Music Director of the Evanston Symphony Orchestra) on Nov. 16; Robert Nordling (Principal Conductor of the Baroque on Beaver Island music festival and Orchestra Director at Trinity International University) on March 15, 2015; Frank Lestina (Former Director of the Libertyville and Vernon Hills High School Orchestras for 27 years) on May 3, 2015.

The LFCO is thrilled to kick off its 26th season with these fine conductors on the podium. During last year’s season, the orchestra changed its name from the North Suburban Symphony to the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra in reflection of its long-time residence in the Lake Forest’s Gorton Community Center, its dedication to the local communities, and its desire to start the next 25 years with a fresh approach.

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 “Big changes are in the air," said Howie Martino, President of the LFCO board. “The prospects of new artistic direction by a pool of talented and enthusiastic conductors, along with renewed efforts by the LFCO to build upon and expand our connection with the local community will bring colorful new options to concert-goers on the North Shore," Martino said.  

Like the Lake Forest Symphony during its recent search for a new music director, the LFCO will be providing music director evaluation surveys after every concert to both musicians and to audience members. “In this way, both musicians and audience members have a say in the future of the LFCO. We are an orchestra by the community and for the community, and that is what sets us apart," Martino said.                    

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The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is proud of its history of bringing professional and accomplished amateur musicians together to perform beloved classical works, as well as drawing talented students into its ranks from the surrounding communities.

The orchestra has been pleased to collaborate repeatedly with the Lake Forest High School Orchestra under the baton of Robert Bassill, just this past spring performing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

Being a part of the community is what the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is all about. We invite you to visit the LFCO website at www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org to purchase tickets for the upcoming season or to explore joining the orchestra as a musician. The orchestra has openings in several sections.

All concerts in 2014-2015 are held in the Gorton Community Center auditorium on Sundays at 4 pm, except for the November concert, which will be held nearby as Gorton undergoes renovation.

Join us for what promises to be an exciting 2014-2015 season!   

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