As some of you may know, prior to my life as a public educator my first passion was the cello. I began playing the cello at age 11 and went on to earn bachelor and graduate degrees in cello performance. It was through the performing of cello and music that first sparked an interest in teaching cello which led back to school to pursue a degree in elementary education.

     Since becoming an elementary school teacher I have had little to no time to continue  regularly performing the cello. Performing cello, particularly in an ensemble, became an itch that I could never scratch. However, this changed three years ago and I am now in my third season performing with the Lakeview Orchestra!!!

     The Lakeview Orchestra is a community orchestra in Chicago composed of professionally trained caliber musicians who are now retired, semi-professional, and/or amateurs. The Chicago Classical Review recognized the Lakeview Orchestra as "Chicago’s premier non-professional orchestra'. We perform four to five concerts a year as well as a summer chamber music series. It is an honor to perform and be a member of this ensemble. It brings me immense joy to be able to continue having music as an important part of my life and journey.

     The Lakeview Orchestra is a non-profit organization and depends on the generosity of donors to provide concerts for your and our enjoyment. Your donation helps with rental of rehearsal space, equipment, and performance space. If it is in your ability, please contribute what you can in order for us to be able to continue providing you the gift of music.

Thanks,

Jesse McAdoo

Lakeview Orchestra, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of Chicago, making orchestral music accessible to all by providing affordable and high-quality performances to our community.

Over eleven seasons, the Lakeview Orchestra has established itself as “Chicago's premier non-professional orchestra” (Chicago Classical Review), serving as a hub of musical excellence and community engagement. Our annual five-concert season at the historic Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture has consistently garnered critical acclaim and enthusiastic audience response. And, we have persevered through challenges from startup to sustainability, including weathering the devastating impact of the pandemic shutdown, and emerged stronger than ever.

The 2023-24 season is a pivotal juncture in our organizational maturity. This season, philanthropic support is impacting these three pillars:

• New guest conductor program. In the 2023-24 season, through a competitive process, we inaugurated our guest conductor program. We retained two professional conductors to lead the orchestra in concerts they have programmed in partnership with the orchestra’s artistic director. 

• Expanding our visibility. We are working to increase our presence in the community, attracting new patrons and supporters. Your generosity supports enhancing our marketing efforts, reaching a broader audience, and promoting our programs more effectively.

• Professionalizing our operations. We are committed to elevating our operations to the highest standards. This season we have hired a new general manager with decades of experience in non-profit arts management.

   

Join the Campaign
Your generosity not only sustains our organization but also nurtures the artistic talents of our members, providing them with a platform for beautiful music-making. Your contribution ensures that our musicians have the resources they need to flourish creatively, fostering a collaborative environment where they can share their gifts with the world. Joining our campaign enriches the lives of both our musicians and our audiences, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where artistic excellence thrives.

Donations to the orchestra are 100% tax-deductible and will directly fund the Orchestra’s operations.