Previous events

Join the LFCO for An Evening in Vienna The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra presents “An Evening in Vienna,” featuring favorite waltzes, dances, and other popular tunes including “Radetsky March” and “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and join us for an outdoor “Ravinia” style event in the Gorton Community Center parking lot. This year the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra celebrates its 34th year running. It is a true community chamber orchestra bringing professional and accomplished amateur musicians together from the area. Lake Forest Civic Orchestra has made it possible for people of all ages to use their musical talents and training throughout their lives.

PLEASE CHECK-IN WHEN YOU ARRIVE- find the tented check-in table on the sidewalk in front of our building when you arrive where you will receive a wristband. Concessions will be for sale at the event. Parking: You may park in our upper lot, across the street at the train station, and along the north side of Illinois Road. Ticket Prices:

$20/adult 18-65 $10/senior 65 and older and college students with an ID Free to veterans and children under 12

IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, CONCERT MOVES TO THEATER AND SHOWTIME MAY VARY SLIGHTLY. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL IN THE EVENT OF RAIN.

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - Concert Season Closer 2021/22 "American Salute" RESCHEDULED: July 10 @ 6pm Buffalo Creek Brewing (Long Grove, IL)

In response to a generous sponsorship from the Village of Long Grove and Mr. & Mrs. Michael Vaglienty, tickets for this concert are free.

Due to the tragic shooting in Highland Park on July 4th and the LCSO decided to postpone our concert originally scheduled for that evening. We are using our rain date - this Sunday at 6 p.m. Your safety is paramount to us and we pray that all of us can seek peace, calm, and safety in this tragic moment. Our heartfelt prayers go to those injured and their families. Rest assured, the music WILL go on. This is a decision we make for the integrity of all concerned and we will see you this Sunday to celebrate glorious music - made sweeter in the face of difficult challenges. May God Bless America - in spite of human frailty and illness.

Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony is among his greatest works, and combines festive Russian folk tunes with a hidden program based upon Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and the struggle against fate. This symphony is fittingly preceded by the sunny 23rd piano concerto of Tchaikovsky’s favorite composer, Mozart, which features the ESO debut of rising star Hyejin Joo. Ludwig van Beethoven’s delayed birthday celebration continues with his overture to Egmont, which celebrates a Dutch patriotic hero.

Program Go To Program Notes Musical Insights Free Pre-Concert Preview the Friday before this concert. Learn How to Attend!

BeethovenEgmont Overture MozartPiano Concerto No. 23 in A Major Hyejin Joo, piano

TchaikovskySymphony No. 4 in F Minor

From the Four Corners: Music of North, South, East, & West The LFCO takes a musical trip around the world with music from the North, South, East, and West. We begin in Eastern Europe, specifically Romania, with George Enescu’s Rumanian Dance No. 2. From there we head north to Russia, where MYAC Walgreens Concerto Competition winner William Lewis will present Alexander Arutunian’s Concerto for Trumpet. We then head to South America with Arturo Márquez’ Danzón No. 2 and close the program with Aaron Copland’s depiction of the American West, Four Dance Episodes from “Rodeo.”

Program Enescu – Rumanian Rhapsody No. 2 in D Márquez – Danzón No. 2 Copland – Four Dance Episodes from “Rodeo” Arutunian – Trumpet Concerto – William Lewis, Trumpet – Winner, Walgreen/MYAC Competition Brass Division Ticket Prices: $20 Adults $10 Students and Seniors

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - Concert Season 2021/22 "A Celebration of Classical Jazz: Tribute to a New World" April 23 @ 7:30pm Village Church of Gurnee (Gurnee, IL) Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com

Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 Classic Dave Brubeck

"SLAVONIC FOLKTALES" PROGRAM INCLUDES: Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 2 in c minor, "Ukrainian"

I. Andante Sostenuto - Allegro vivo II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato III. Scherzo: Allegro molto vivace IV. Finale: Moderato assai - Allegro vivo

-- intermission --

McIntire, "Industrial Cityscape"

Stravinsky, "The Firebird Suite (1919)"

DESCRIPTION: Tchaikovsky composed his Symphony No. 2 while vacationing in Ukraine and incorporated a number of Ukrainian folksongs into the score. The symphony’s mix of folk-like lyricism and dry, rhythmic drive made it a favorite of Igor Stravinsky, who often conducted the piece alongside his works.

Stravinsky employed a similar mix of rhythmic drive and lyricism for his ballet score, The Firebird. Written in 1909, the ballet tells the story of Prince Ivan who defeats the evil Kastchei with the help of the magical firebird.

This concert will also feature the World Premiere of Industrial Cityscape by Shawn McIntire.

Immigrant Stories The LFCO celebrates the contributions that immigrants have made to the American musical scene. Antonín Dvořák composed his pastoral Sixth Symphony in 1880, 12 years before he would immigrate to New York to lead the newly founded National Conservatory of Music. The opera Andina was written by Columbian composer Eustasio Rosales after he immigrated to Oak Park at the turn of the century. This opera was left unplayed for decades before being premiered in a concert version in Chicago in 2015. The LFCO will perform an orchestral suite of music from the opera, arranged by Music Director Christopher Ramaekers.

This concert will feature Eva Sharman, a Lake Forest High School senior, who will perform the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Written from 1900 to 1901, this piece established Rachmaninoff as a legitimate concerto composer, and was a piece that he himself played as soloist. Rachmaninoff emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1917, where he worked primarily as a concert pianist.

Program Dvořák – Symphony No. 6 in D Major Rosales – Three Spanish Dances Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2 – Eva Sharman, Piano Ticket Prices: $20 Adults $10 Students and Seniors

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - Concert Season 2021/22 "Timeless Classics: An Inescapable Force" February 26 @ 7:30pm Village Church of Gurnee (Gurnee, IL) Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com

Tchaikovsky - Symphony 4

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - Chamber Series 2021/22 "WINDS OF BEAUTY- Old and New" January 29 @ 7:30pm (RESCHEDULED) Gurnee Community Church (Gurnee, IL) Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com

This program features the world premiere of Charles Brown's "Nashville Nature Walk".

PROGRAM: DANZI - Quintet RAVEL - Pavane KENNET - Proud and Devoted ZEMILINSKY - Humoreske SALAZAR - Libertango BROWN - Nashville Nature Walk (World Premiere)

EXTRA: Enjoy a special pre-concert dinner at The Chocolate Sanctuary. Dinner will include a maple-glazed pork chop with apple chutney, sweet potato hash, and roasted brussel sprouts. The cost of the dinner is $35 per person and includes dessert, coffee, and other non-alcoholic beverages.

For a 5pm reservation, call The Chocolate Sanctuary directly at 224-944-0808. The Chocolate Sanctuary is located at 5101 Washington St, Gurnee, IL

Holly Jolly

Celebrate the holidays at Gorton Community Center with your family, friends, and the LFCO! For event information and tickets, please visit the Holly Jolly page at Gorton.

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - Concert Season 2021/22 "Welcome Christmas!" December 18 @ 7:30pm Village Church of Gurnee (Gurnee, IL) Online Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KSO:

Our annual holiday concert, supported by Snap-On Incorporated, continues our tradition of bringing holiday cheer and goodwill to the Kenosha community. This concert features Christmas staples such as selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, popular Christmas songs including those arranged by Mannheim Steamroller as well as the ever-present Christmas Festival and Sleigh Ride. And don’t forget to bring your singing voice for John Finnegan’s Christmas SingAlong!

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

A Christmas Festival, Leroy Anderson

Trepak from Nutcracker, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Christmas Singalong, John Finnegan

Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson

Battle for the Ballot The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra celebrates the ratification of the 19th amendment with an all-American program entitled “The Battle for the Ballot.” A Time to Vote by Gwyneth Walker will receive its midwest premiere, and will be paired with The Battle for the Ballot by Chicago-based Stacy Garrop. Both works are built around quotes from famous suffragettes and Garrop’s piece, written in the summer of 2020, features quotes by famous black suffragettes as well, a nod to racial tensions then and now.

These 2 works are bookended by pieces by African-American composers. Strum by Jessie Montgomery opens the program by blending pop and jazz styles into a work for string orchestra. We end with Symphony No. 1 in e minor by Florence Price. Premiered by the Chicago Symphony in 1933, Symphony No. 1 draws on American and African-American folk styles in a work that is reminiscent of Dvořák’s famous New World Symphony.

3PM Pre-Concert Discussion Chicago composer Stacy Garrop whose work, “The Battle for the Ballot,” was the inspiration for this concert program, and Gwyneth Walker, who composed “A Time to Vote”, will lead a pre-concert discussion about their pieces and compositional process. Enrich your concert experience by learning about their inspiration and motivation in composing these pieces.

Program Walker – World Premier – A Time To Vote Garrop – The Battle for the Ballot Montgomery – Strum Price – Symphony No. 1 in E Minor Ticket Prices: $20 Adults $10 Students and Seniors

PROGRAM:

Franz Joseph Haydn - Symphony No. 1 in D Major

Igor Stravinsky - Septet

Amos Gillespie - These Questions Three

Louis Spohr - Nonet in F Major, Op 31

DESCRIPTION:

Symphony847 opens our first full season with another important first, Haydn’s first symphony. Considered the father of the symphony, Haydn not only inspired his fellow classicists, but modern composers as well. Igor Stravinsky spent much of his life writing in a “Neo-Classical” style which combined modern tonality with classical structure. The Septet demonstrates some of the same classical structures and rhythmic figures, along with characteristics of the baroque and modern era. Rhythmic drive is a hallmark of Chicago-based Amos Gillespie’s music. These Questions Three features driving keyboard and percussion, but with Jazz-inspired rhythmic figures. The concert will conclude with a lengthy work from the later classical period, the Nonet by Louis Sophr.

$20 per person (Children 12 and under are free)

Mysterious Mountain The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra celebrates its 33rd year running! It is a true community chamber orchestra bringing professional and accomplished amateur musicians from the area. The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra has made it possible for people of all ages to use their musical talents and training throughout their lives.

This October, the LFCO explores musical works inspired by mountains and majesty. One of the most well-known works in the repertoire, Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” is a terrifying depiction of the rise of the demon Chernobog over the Bald Mountain on St John’s Night. Richard Wagner used the mountains of Asgard as the setting for the Gods’ fortress, Valhalla, in his epic operatic cycle The Ring of the Nibelung. The mountain Blaník is such a significant landmark in the Czech landscape that it inspired the finale to Smetana’s set of symphonic poems known as Ma Vlast (My Homeland). And Armenian-American composer Alan Hovhaness has an entirely different take on the mountains in his Symphony No. 2, Mysterious Mountain, which combines meditative serenity and a driving energy.

Program Smetana – Blaník Mussorgsky – A Night on Bald Mountain Wagner – The God’s Entry to Valhalla from Das Rheingold Hovhaness – Symphony No. 2 “Mysterious Mountain”

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - Opening Season 2021/22 "Broadway/Hollywood Blockbusters" September 17 @ 7pm **Rain Date: September 19 @ 7pm Buffalo Creek Brewing (Long Grove, IL) Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com Bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - New Outdoor Home - starting season 21/22 Buffalo Creek Brewing and the LCSO are proud to announce outdoor concerts in Long Grove. On the heels of the incredible success of July 3rd - "American Salute" where the beer garden was packed full, LCSO will open its regular season September 17th at 7 p.m. with "Broadway & Hollywood Blockbusters". Featuring the music of West Side Story, South Pacific, Wicked, Porgy and Bess, The Sound of Music, and John Williams' premiere orchestral suite from Star Wars, music will fill the evening sky for the whole family. Dynamic musical theater singers Chris and Donna Engelhardt, soloists from July 3rd, will be featured in the Broadway medleys. Enjoy food from Smokin' T's, amazing beer, and Lake County's only professional orchestra. Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com and at Buffalo Creek Brewing.

­­Bring your blankets and dinner and enjoy Symphony847 playing pieces including the Beethoven Septet, Op. 20. Conducted by Chris Ramaekers.

PROGRAM:

Bohuslav Martinu, Nonet No. 2, H. 374

Ludwig van Beethoven, Septet in E flat Major, Opus 20

Seth Boustead, Abstraction

Trevor Patricia Watkin, Five Movements for Nonet

MUSICIANS:

Violin: Jesse Gomez

Viola: Brandy Crawford

Cello: Magdalena Sustere

Bass: Elijah Medina

Flute: Lauren Moldenhauer

Oboe: Andrew Nogal

Clarinet: Nicholas Carlson

Bassoon: Galina Keip

Horn: Paul Seeley

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

All shows are free and will be held outside on the Assembly Hall WestLawn at 410 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth, IL. Shows will be held inside the Assembly Hall if the weather is inclement. We will be following all capacity limits and COVID-19 protocols mandated by the State of Illinois. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED. Cash bar available with proceeds supporting the Kenilworth Park District.

THANK YOU:

Special Thanks to Kenilworth Union Church for allowing us to rehearse in their space, to the Kenilworth Park District for sponsoring the event, and to the Kenilworth Assembly Hall.

On Saturday, July 24 we will be hosting a reading session/social event. This event will take place at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest from 5:30-8:30 p.m. It is not a performance.

We will be working with a recent Lakes High School graduate who will be studying composition at Roosevelt University in the fall. In addition, we will read through other pieces. Selections may include works from Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and many others.

Following our reading session, we will host a reception in the Solarium at Gorton. We have food and drink for all. Friends and family are invited to attend the reading session and reception.

Lake County Symphony Orchestra - End of Season Concert

"American Salute!"

July 3 - 12:00 p.m.

Buffalo Creek Brewing

FREE! - Bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs

**Rain Date: July 4th at 12pm

The Lake County Symphony Orchestra is very pleased to announce our annual end of the season patriotic event for the whole family - "American Salute". This year we are beginning an exciting new partnership with the Village of Long Grove, Illinois and several of its businesses - Buffalo Creek Brewing, Chatterbox, and Fred Astaire Dance Studio. This free concert will be on the lawn at Buffalo Creek Brewing and you can enjoy their great offerings of custom brewed beer and hard ciders - the very best in the region!. Food trucks will be on hand. Bring blankets and chairs and enjoy a musical celebration of first rate quality from Lake County's only professional orchestra.

During this past year of challenges, the LCSO has been on the forefront of performing ensembles doing successful virtual and in person events. This end of the season celebration will be one not to miss. See details on the ad and tell your family and friends. Your local orchestra and its new partners in Long Grove are bringing you the glory of live music to salute our great country and the freedom we all share.

Main Website: Symphony847.org/concerts

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/-JBdng_NIuI

Recorded at the Kenilworth Assembly Hall on February 13, 2021 as part of the RÉMY MARTIN Team Up for Excellence initiative. Once purchased, you will receive a link to the concert stream via email that will be available until May 31, 2021.

Program details:

Chris Ramaekers conducts

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No. 82 in C major, “The Bear”

LE CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES Symphony No. 1 in G major

LE CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES Symphony No. 2 in D major

Chris Ramaekers conducts Symphony847 in a program that features the two symphonies composed by le Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The concert also features Haydn’s Symphony No. 82 in C major, known as “The Bear”. One of six Paris symphonies by the composer, “The Bear” was commissioned by the Concert de la Loge Olympique, and was first performed in 1787 under the direction of le Chevalier de Saint-Georges.