Community Outreach & News
The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra exists to bring beautiful music Lake Forest and the surrounding communities. We do this by providing high-quality performances and performing opportunities for local musicians, and collaborative opportunities with local schools and organizations.
While you may think of us as primarily a full orchestra, we have several small ensembles that perform at community events - some of which are featured in news items below. We have an active string quartet, woodwind quintet, and brass choir who can help make your event even more memorable with light classical and popular arrangements suitable for reception and background music. If your non-profit organization would like musical support for an upcoming event please click here for more information or contact us.
9 on 9: An Interview with LFCO Music Director Christopher Ramaekers
Dr. Christopher Ramaekers, Music Director of the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, answers 9 questions about performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Ode to Joy: The Countdown Has Begun!
LFCO orchestra and members have been preparing in earnest for the January 19, 2025 performance of Beethoven's 9th symphony. This piece is a marathon!
Ode to Joy: A Wonderful Way to Begin 2025
Hands of all colors forming a heart. The selection of this image was no accident. Read why we chose this image for our January 19th performance of Beethoven’s 9th symphony.
9 on 9: An Interview with Beethoven 9 Chorus Master John Hughes
John C. Hughes, Music Director of Chicago Master Singers and Chorus Master for our January 19, 2025 performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, answers 9 questions about singing this work.
News: Explore Musical Creation on October 13th
The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is proud to support education in our community with performances of its string quartet and wind quintet at the annual Spirit of 67 Home Tour.
About Town: LFCO Supports 2024 D67 Home Tour With Beautiful Music
The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is proud to support education in our community with performances of its string quartet and wind quintet at the annual Spirit of 67 Home Tour.
About Town: LFCO To Perform at Lake Forest Library 125th Anniversary
Join the LFCO’s wind quintet in the 125th Anniversary celebration of the Lake Forest Library. The event, "A Night at the Library,” is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, from 7-9PM. For more information and tickets, visit the library’s event page.
About Town: LFCO String Quartet and Wind Quintet Serenade Spirit of 67 Home Tour Visitors
The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is proud to support education in our community with performances of its string quartet and wind quintet at the annual Spirit of 67 Home Tour.
A Closer Look at the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra
Thanks to Gorton Center for featuring a short story about the LFCO in their Summer 2023 “Windows” publication.
About Town: LFCO String Quartet Performs at Lake Bluff Open Lands’ Summer Solstice Soirée
The LFCO’s string quartet will perform Friday, June 16th, at the Lake Bluff Open Lands’ Summer Solstice Soirée.
A Community Classic
Thanks to Forest & Bluff Magazine for featuring Lake Forest High School student and talented violinist Aidan Watts’ performs in the October 9, 2022 Lake Forest Civic Orchestra concert at Gorton Community Center, 4PM.
About Town: LFCO String Quartet Performs at District 67 Foundation Home Show
The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra string quartet performed at the Spririt of 67 home show on September 29, 2022 to help raise funds for the Spirit of 67 school district foundation.
Column: Perform violin for free? In a dozen community orchestras around Chicago, the musicians have one thing in common, they play for the love of music
“It takes a village. That’s such an overused phrase, but holy cow, these are not simple things to do,” Bielski says. “We couldn’t do anything without everybody doing their part.”
The Sound of Music
The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra evolves in light of the continuing pandemic.