LCO 2011-12 Concert Season!
Click for online brochure
2012-13 Season to be announced shortly!
HISTORY OF THE LCO
The Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1990 by its Music Director Philip Simmons, a long time Lincolnwood resident who graduated from Lincoln Hall in 1975 and Niles West High School in 1979. A huge part of the orchestra's success is the ongoing support of the Village of Lincolnwood, and the leadership of current Mayor Jerry Turry. It has also enjoyed excellent relations with former Mayors Frank Chulay, Madeleine Grant, and Peter Moy.
The LCO is a professional free-lance ensemble comprised of Chicago's finest musicians. It was named Chamber Ensemble of the Year in 2000 by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, and maintains an excellent artistic reputation throughout Chicagoland. World renowned artists have appeared as soloist with the LCO, including William Warfield, Lukas Foss, Rachel Barton-Pine, Wendy Warner, Dennis James, Denis Azebagic, Emir Nuhanovic, David Schrader, and numerous members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Over the years the orchestra has performed well over 100 concerts at a variety of venues including the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Preston Bradley Hall (Chicago Cultural Center), Northeastern Illinois University, and Northwestern University's Lutkin Hall. Concerts in Lincolnwood have been given at the Community Center, Village Hall, Lincoln Hall Middle School, the Library, Proesel Park, St. John's Lutheran Church, Lincolnwood Town Center, Lincolnwood Place Retirement Community, Loeber Motors Mercedes Benz Dealership (photo below), and Grossinger's Cadillac Showroom.
The LCO has appeared on numerous performing arts series including at the Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation, Chicago Silent Summer Film Festival (Portage Theater), Skokie Public Library, Northbrook Public Library, and Wilmette Fine Arts Commission Recital Series.
Focusing on music of the classical period, the orchestra has performed all the symphonies of Beethoven, and over 50 works of Mozart and Hadyn. The LCO often appears as a string orchestra, at times performing romantic and contemporary music, as well as Baroque repertoire with harpsichord. The orchestra has also programmed mixed 20th century works like Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphony No. 1 and Stravinsky’s Soldier Tale, as well as several new commissions. Its largest version was 60 players for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. One of the LCO’s strengths is its flexibility to fit into any venue and complement any event.
The orchestra has two recordings to its credit--with Ars Musica Chicago (music of Alexander Tcherepnin with bass-baritone Andrew Schultz) and the soundtrack to "Help Me" by Chicago filmmaker Darrien Murphy. The LCO annually participates in educational outreach to the Lincolnwood public schools, which has featured several "side-by-side" concerts with students. The orchestra regularly provides music for Lincolnwood Seniors, and is active in other outreach efforts throughout the area.
American Music Festivals began to manage the LCO in 2002, when it merged with the Lincolnwood Orchestral Association. AMF remains committed to community programming and educational outreach in Lincolnwood and the surrounding communities, and is proud to have the orchestra showcase its cultural exchange initiatives. These are achieved through the presentation of international guest artists and programming which reflects the music and cultural traditions of our collaborating partners, in Chicago and internationally
Contact the LCO:
Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra
4354 W, Pratt
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
224-456-2399
amusicfest@aol.com
