I have played violin all my life, and was lucky to perform with other passionate musicians when studying music at Lawrence University. After graduating, I struggled to find like-minded musicians--people who wanted to play music at a high level but who have careers in other fields. When I moved to Chicago, I was delighted to find Lakeview Orchestra, where I have made great friends, played fantastic concerts, and had a few too many post-rehearsal cocktails. No matter how tough a week I'm having, I always know I will feel uplifted at the end of a Tuesday night rehearsal. In my first year with this group, I have been really impressed with the level of individual preparation and music direction--we have earned our status as Chicago's premier community orchestra!

Running an organization like this is expensive, and as we invest in marketing and rental costs of our beautiful performance hall continue to increase, we need your support to continue sharing our music with our community. Please consider donating to our spring campaign!

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.