Lake Forest Civic Orchestra Performs on March 15

The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is pleased to have guest conductor Robert Nordling on the podium for its March 15 concert at Christ Church in Lake Forest. The program, which begins at 4 pm, includes Beethoven's mighty Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), Brahm's Tragic Overture, and features Johnathon Wiest playing Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 2 in D.

Maestro Nordling is one of four guest conductors chosen for the orchestra's 2014-2015 season. He currently serves as principal conductor of the Baroque on Beaver Island music festival and orchestra director at Trinity International University. The LFCO will choose one of its guest conductors at the end of the season to be its new music director.

Creating quality music for local audiences will be the first order of business through "creative, interesting, educational, engaging, challenging and fun concert programming," Nordling said. But increasing the LFCO's role in the community alongside the other organizations that exist for the community's benefit will also be top on his list, he said.

"We want to make all of Lake Forest and the surrounding communities proud to have the LFCO call this home," he said. "I'm excited to have the chance to rehearse and perform with the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra for this third concert," he said.

Mr. Nordling said he and guest cellist Johnathon Wiest have known each other for about 10 years, since the cellist was an undergraduate studying music. "Rarely have I witnessed such meteoric rise of a performer in such a short time," Nordling said. The two have collaborated several times over the years. "I am proud to share the stage with him," he said.

Mr. Wiest, an active freelance cellist, is also a composer. He has a keen interest in new music and has premiered several new works, including a cello suite by composer David Fuentes. Jonathon maintains a studio of diverse students near his home in Aurora.

Tickets for the March concert, third in this year's "Celebrating the Symphony" series, are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors/students and are available both at the door and online at www.brownpapertickets.org.

Christ Church was chosen as temporary venue while the LFCO's home, the Gorton Community Center, undergoes renovation for a state-of-the-art performance space.

The Fresh Market of Lake Forest is generously sponsoring a post-concert reception.

Please visit www.lakeforestcivicorchestra.org to learn more about the LFCO season.