Lake Forest Civic Orchestra kicks off season with Sept. 28 concert

Chris Ramaekers will be the guest conductor for the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra's Sept. 28 concert at 4 p.m. in the Gorton Community Center auditorium, 400 E. Illinois Road.

Ramaekers is one of four guest conductors for the orchestra's 2014-15 season. He is director of orchestras and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The LFCO will choose one of its guest conductors at the end of the season to be its new music director.

The September concert is titled "Fanfare and Intrigue" and includes the works of Haydn, Bizet and Rossini. Tickets are available at the door and online, lakeforestcivicorchestra.org.

During last year's season, the orchestra changed its name from the North Suburban Symphony to the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra in reflection of its longtime residence in the Lake Forest's Gorton Community Center, its dedication to the local communities, and its desire to start the next 25 years with a fresh approach.

"Big changes are in the air," said Howie Martino, president of the LFCO board. "The prospects of new artistic direction by a pool of talented and enthusiastic conductors, along with renewed efforts by the LFCO to build upon and expand our connection with the local community, will bring colorful new options to concertgoers on the North Shore," Martino said.