23 January 2006

Lake Forest Symphony and Symphony Guild Receive State-Level Recognition

The Lake Forest Symphony board of directors and music director, Alan Heatherington, are pleased and proud to announce that the Lake Forest Symphony has been named Illinois Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. According to ICO Awards Chair, Bryan Shilander, the selection was based on the symphony’s “exemplary achievements.”

Music Director, Alan Heatherington, was named Illinois Conductor of the Year in 2005.

The Symphony began performing locally as an all-volunteer chamber group in 1957 known as the “Deer Path Music Association.” In 1965 the organization grew to include 60 players and in 1988 became an all-professional orchestra, the first and still the only professional orchestra in Lake County. Board President, Chuck Fry, adds “Lake Forest Symphony is the only fully professional orchestra supported by a community the size of Lake Forest in the entire US.”

The symphony’s guild was also recognized for excellence and has been named Illinois Guild of the Year, a first for the organization. The Guild has been a supporting arm of the symphony for over 40 years. According to Guild President Betty Benton, guild activities include guest artist teas on the Thursday before each Lake Forest Symphony concert weekend. On January 19th, cellist Yuli Turovsky shared the stories that inspired Shostakovich’s lst Cello Concerto as he played exerpts. The Guild also sponsors pre-concert dinners so fellow music lovers can get to know each other and provides volunteers to usher at the symphony’s annual youth concert. On April 27th, the Guild will host its annual Mad Hatter fund-raising luncheon and fashion show featuring Lake Forest’s premier shops.

Announcements of the two awards arrived at the symphony office on Monday (January 23rd). The Illinois Council of Orchestras will present the awards on Friday, February 17th at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Lake Forest Symphony performs 5 pairs of classical concerts during a concert season that runs from September through May. The two remaning concert weekends of are set for March 24th and 25th (featuring violinist, David Taylor) and May 19th and 20th (featuring pianist, Andreas Klein). Lake Forest Symphony received the Orchestra of the Year award once before, in 1994.

Performances are held at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake due to the closing of the Drake Theatre on the Barat College campus, and pending a return to the area in a newly constructed performance venue.

On Friday, February 17th, the Symphony’s annual Youth Concert will present Peter and the Wolf for school age children (grades 4 - 8). The performance will be held at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. Dr. K. Michael A. Welch, president of the University, will be the narrator.

For more information about Lake Forest Symphony or the Symphony Guild, contact the Symphony office at 847-295-2135. For concert ticket information, contact the James Lumber Center box office at 847-543-2300.

Lake Forest Symphony and Symphony Guild Receive State-Level Recognition

History

Mission Statement


23 January 2006 Lake Forest Symphony and Symphony Guild Receive State-Level Recognition The Lake Forest Symphony board of directors and music director, Alan Heatherington, are pleased and proud to announce that the Lake Forest Symphony has been named Illinois Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. According to ICO Awards Chair, Bryan Shilander, the selection was based on the symphony’s “exemplary achievements.” Music Director, Alan Heatherington, was named Illinois Conductor of the Year in 2005. The Symphony began performing locally as an all-volunteer chamber group in 1957 known as the “Deer Path Music Association.” In 1965 the organization grew to include 60 players and in 1988 became an all-professional orchestra, the first and still the only professional orchestra in Lake County. Board President, Chuck Fry, adds “Lake Forest Symphony is the only fully professional orchestra supported by a community the size of Lake Forest in the entire US.” The symphony’s guild was also recognized for excellence and has been named Illinois Guild of the Year, a first for the organization. The Guild has been a supporting arm of the symphony for over 40 years. According to Guild President Betty Benton, guild activities include guest artist teas on the Thursday before each Lake Forest Symphony concert weekend. On January 19th, cellist Yuli Turovsky shared the stories that inspired Shostakovich’s lst Cello Concerto as he played exerpts. The Guild also sponsors pre-concert dinners so fellow music lovers can get to know each other and provides volunteers to usher at the symphony’s annual youth concert. On April 27th, the Guild will host its annual Mad Hatter fund-raising luncheon and fashion show featuring Lake Forest’s premier shops. Announcements of the two awards arrived at the symphony office on Monday (January 23rd). The Illinois Council of Orchestras will present the awards on Friday, February 17th at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Lake Forest Symphony performs 5 pairs of classical concerts during a concert season that runs from September through May. The two remaning concert weekends of are set for March 24th and 25th (featuring violinist, David Taylor) and May 19th and 20th (featuring pianist, Andreas Klein). Lake Forest Symphony received the Orchestra of the Year award once before, in 1994. Performances are held at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake due to the closing of the Drake Theatre on the Barat College campus, and pending a return to the area in a newly constructed performance venue. On Friday, February 17th, the Symphony’s annual Youth Concert will present Peter and the Wolf for school age children (grades 4 - 8). The performance will be held at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. Dr. K. Michael A. Welch, president of the University, will be the narrator. For more information about Lake Forest Symphony or the Symphony Guild, contact the Symphony office at 847-295-2135. For concert ticket information, contact the James Lumber Center box office at 847-543-2300.	< About the Symphony 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.”