When I moved to Chicago, I missed a lot—friends, familiarity, and especially orchestra life. Thankfully, a good friend convinced me to audition for Lakeview Orchestra, and I’m so glad I did.

I’ve built incredible friendships and made music with the most fun and passionate group of people. We’ve tackled big works like Mahler 5, brought the Grinch to life with a live narrator, and now we’re gearing up for the epic Shostakovich 7. Lakeview isn’t just a place to play—it's a place to grow, to laugh, and to be challenged in the best way.

Since joining in 2017, I’ve watched the orchestra evolve in amazing ways—taking on more ambitious repertoire, welcoming new members, launching rising stars through our concerto competition, and finally making our home at the beautiful Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture. Your contribution to Our Symphony, Our Future will help us keep that momentum going—supporting our residency at the Athenaeum, welcoming guest conductors, and increasing accessibility so we can grow our audience into the future.

Lakeview Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization celebrating more than a decade of artistic excellence. This spring, the orchestra has a goal to raise at least $25,000 as part of our Our Symphony, Our Future! campaign, which will allow us to continue bringing classical music to the greater Lakeview community. 

Every dollar raised will go directly to helping us achieve our mission and this year’s priorities that include:

• Increasing Accessibility for the Community – This season, we’re offering 250 free student tickets to help young audiences and families experience the magic of live orchestral music without financial barriers.
• Expanding the Guest Conductor Program – We’re welcoming three distinguished guest conductors, each bringing fresh perspectives and elevating our artistic programming. Their expertise will challenge and inspire both our musicians and our audience.
• Enhancing Member Experience – With 88 dedicated musicians, we’re investing in rehearsal space upgrades and new artistic development opportunities to ensure our members continue to refine their talents and deliver exceptional performances.

Donations to Lakeview Orchestra are 100% tax-deductible. Questions? Contact us at info@lakevieworchestra.org.