Lake Forest Civic Orchestra

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Lake Forest Civic Orchestra

The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages to perform.

The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, a 501(c)3 charitable institution, is proud of its 33-year history of bringing professional and accomplished amateur musicians together to perform beloved classical works. Our current roster includes over 40 players from Lake County and beyond. We are dedicated to the principle that music, both its appreciation and its performance, can be a lifetime activity. The La

ke Forest Civic Orchestra provides opportunities for amateur musicians of all ages to play standard works of the symphonic repertoire under skilled conductors.

06/20/2026

Big news coming soon - stay tuned!

05/22/2026

The LFCO string quartet helped celebrate the opening of the Reichert Patio at Gorton Center. Mrs. Reichert supported the LFCO for many years and we were honored to be part of this event.

05/05/2026

It hardly seems possible, but our 25-26 season has indeed flown by, and Sunday’s wonderful concert experience will have to hold us all until next season.
This season’s final guest conductor, Maestro Nicholas Wallin, capably led the performance, and he also shared insights with our enthusiastic audience and wrapped up the afternoon by chatting with musicians and patrons alike.
The LFCO again extends appreciation and gratitude to our many supporters: our loyal patrons, donors, sponsors, and volunteers that make it all possible.
Stay tuned this summer for upcoming news announcing the final selection of our new Music Director who will assume that role next season.
Meanwhile, enjoy this photo montage and secure your season tickets for 26-27 here: https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/concerts-tickets/p/season-tickets-26-27

05/01/2026

Our featured soloist for this weekend will be trombonist Andrew Shinler.

Andrew is a dedicated musician and senior at Libertyville High School whose passion for music began at just five years old when learning piano. He discovered the trombone in fourth grade and currently studies under Colleen Bayoneto. Andrew plays trombone in nearly every group LHS has to offer including the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, and Pit Orchestra.

In addition to his school ensembles, Andrew serves as the principal trombonist of the Midwest Young Artists Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held for the past three years. His talent and hard work have earned him recognition as a three-time All-State musician, including placements in the ILMEA All-State Honors Band and first chair in the All-State Honors Orchestra. He has also performed in the IHSTA All-State Musical Production’s pit orchestra.

Outside of music, Andrew is an Eagle Scout and an editor for Libertyville High School’s student newspaper. He plans to study journalism at Syracuse University next fall while continuing to pursue his passion for trombone. Andrew is deeply grateful for the support of his family, teachers, and friends, who have played an essential role in his journey.

At this time, this performance is sold out. However, tickets are occasionally turned back when a patron’s plans change, so we’ve created a wait list. Click here to join the list and be notified as seats become available:
https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/concerts-tickets/p/appalachia-may-3-2026

Don’t miss out in the future - guarantee your spot now for next season! Season tickets for 2026-2027 - featuring more exciting young artists - are available here: https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/concerts-tickets/p/season-tickets-26-27

04/21/2026

Introducing our fourth guest conductor, Dr. Nicholas L. Wallin, who will lead the LFCO in William Grant Still’s Poem for Orchestra, William Schuman’s New England Triptych, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and the Rimsky-Korsakov Trombone Concerto with soloist Andrew Schinler.

Maestro Wallin is a Professor of Music at Lake Forest College where he conducts the orchestra and teaches other courses, primarily in music theory. In addition to his faculty position at Lake Forest College, Wallin recently stepped down after serving for 17 seasons as the Music Director and Conductor of the Mid-Columbia Symphony in Richland, WA.

A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Dr. Wallin began his musical training there on piano and tuba. In 1991 he enrolled at Northwestern University, where he earned three degrees, a bachelor of arts in mathematics, a bachelor of music in tuba performance and a master of music in tuba performance. After leaving Northwestern, he earned a master of music degree in orchestral conducting from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. At Peabody he was a student of Gustav Meier and a recipient of the Graduate Conducting Fellowship. In December 2004, he completed a doctor of musical arts degree in conducting, with a secondary area in music theory at the University of Minnesota, where he received a College of Liberal Arts Graduate Fellowship.

At this time, this performance is sold out. However, tickets are occasionally turned back when a patron’s plans change, so we’ve created a wait list. Click here to join the list and be notified as seats become available:
https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/concerts-tickets/p/appalachia-may-3-2026

04/07/2026

The LFCO is proud to announce its selection by the Illinois Council of Orchestras as Community Orchestra of the Year for 2026!
The LFCO received this high honor “in recognition of their exemplary service and achievements,” according to the council’s judging panel.
Upon learning of the recognition, LFCO Board President Howard Martino expressed gratitude to the orchestra’s patrons and supporters for helping the group continue to flourish.
Click here for more info: https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/community-outreach-news/community-orchestra-of-the-year
Graphic by Vector By Vexels.com On FreeImages

03/31/2026

After a brief break, rehearsals are again underway! Our 4th and final concert of the 25-26 is coming up on May 3 with guest conductor Nicholas Wallin. Tickets are already going fast; click here for more info and to secure your spot: https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/concerts-tickets/p/appalachia-may-3-2026

03/16/2026

Despite a spell of stormy midwest weather yesterday, we had a large and enthusiastic audience for “Westward, Ho”! Many thanks to all who braved the elements to join us at Gorton Center. While all were toasty and warm inside, the “Cloudburst” going on just outside led an extra air of authenticity to the last movement of “Grand Canyon Suite”!

For those who attended, did you have a favorite selection? a favorite moment? Or perhaps you found yourself “dancing in your seat” or tapping your toes at some point? Please share with us in the comments!

Great Plains Photo Credit:
Image by bearfotos on Freepik

03/15/2026

Today is the perfect day for Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite!
You’ll hear it all: Sunrise, Painted Desert, On the Trail, Sunset, and Cloudburst. Which will be your favorite? Do let us know in the comments!

Here’s another excerpt from our interview with guest conductor Benjamin Klemme:
Q: How do you, as a music director, keep classical music fresh for our audience?
Classical music offers those who experience it unique opportunities for emotional resonance. The expressive range and sonic power of a symphony orchestra can move us in surprising ways, and the music we share conveys experiences and feelings, places and dreams composed by individuals with lives very much like our own. I find tremendous joy in discovering, alongside collaborators and audience members, resonance with composers who express profoundly relatable experiences and ideas from around the world and throughout time.
For more from this interview, click here:
https://www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/community-outreach-news/interview-benjamin-klemme
Note: This performance is sold out.

03/14/2026

We had a sweet surprise tonight, courtesy of the Stevenson High School student Treats for Charity group. They brought cupcakes to get us through our final dress rehearsal before Sunday’s concert. Thanks also to Lake County Symphony Orchestra for sharing the treats!

Address

276 E Deerpath Road #410
Lake Forest, IL
60045

Website

http://lakeforestcivicorchestra.org/

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