The Illinois Council of Orchestras is pleased to announce the 2017 recipients of its annual awards for excellence in the field of music performance and for support of musical organizations. An awards panel of judges drawn from the Illinois Council of Orchestras Board of Directors and independent professional conductors and musicians reviewed nominations representing orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles from throughout Illinois.
The 2017 ICO Awards:
Professional Orchestra of the Year
New Philharmonic
Kirk Muspratt, Music Director & Conductor
Community Orchestra of the Year
Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Eckerling, Music Director
Conductor of the Year (community orchestra category)
Jay Friedman, Music Director & Conductor
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest
Executive Director or General Manager of the Year
Lucas D. Wood, Executive Director
Knox-Galesburg Symphony Orchestra
Board President of the Year
Jim Kidder
Heartland Festival Orchestra
Programming of the Year
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Allen Tinkham, Music Director
Community Relations of the Year
Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra
Russell Vinick, Music Director & Conductor
Volunteer of the Year
Sterling (Stu) Ainsworth
Elgin Symphony Orchestra
The Illinois Council of Orchestras was founded in 1974 with a mission:
- to encourage, promote, and assist orchestras throughout the State of Illinois
- to promote an exchange of information among members, including providing consultants and speakers
- to hold educational conferences for member organizations, including musicians, staff, boards, volunteers, and audiences.
Presentation of the ICO Awards will take place during March through July 2017 at local concerts and other events of the winning orchestras.
Information about the Illinois Council of Orchestras is available at: www.ilcouncilorchestras.org
