Maestro Mina Zikri Announced as New Music Director of Northbrook Symphony
(Northbrook, Ill.) - Today Northbrook Symphony announced Music Director Lawrence Rapchak's resignation after 17 devoted years with the organization to pursue new opportunities in communicating and sharing his passion for music, effective at the end of the current 2018/2019 season in June.
Northbrook Symphony also announced today that its board of directors has unanimously chosen internationally acclaimed conductor Mina Zikri, founder and current music director of the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, to step into the position with the start of the symphony's 2019/2020 40th anniversary season this fall. The 41-year-old will maintain his positions as Music Director of Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago and Resident Conductor of the Lira Ensemble.
Mr. Rapchak has served as Music Director of the Northbrook Symphony since 2001, during which time he presented a wide variety of first Chicago-area performances, including the Symphony No. 2 and Michelangelo Suite of Shostakovich, Delius' Appalachia, the B minor Piano Concerto of Hummel and Strauss' Panathenaenzug. Mr. Rapchak created the multi-year initiative "In Mahler's Shadow," conducting Chicago-area premieres of major symphonies by Franz Schmidt, Hans Rott, and Josef Forster (North American premiere), all friends and colleagues of Gustav Mahler.
"Since he joined the Northbrook Symphony in 2002, Mina Zikri's superb talent and commitment have played a major role in the raising of artistic standards within the ensemble," Mr. Rapchak commented. "I have often remarked that when I decided to leave Northbrook Symphony, Mina would be the obvious and inevitable choice as my successor. I am confident that the Northbrook Symphony will now continue under the most capable and committed leadership possible."
Mr. Rapchak will conduct the remaining three concerts of the season - his final concert is May 5 - all held at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts (2300 Shermer Rd., Northbrook). The Symphony will also host a benefit in late May at Sunset Ridge Country Club (2100 Sunset Ridge Rd., Northfield) to recognize Mr. Rapchak's tenure and welcome Mr. Zikri.
"I have a great respect for the strong foundation Larry created in Northbrook. I intend to protect and build on the symphony's already stellar reputation," said Maestro Zikri. "To me, music is life, and I hope through this appointment to share that feeling with everyone."
Maestro Zikri frequently travels as Assistant Conductor with the legendary pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra on their annual tours to major music festivals and concert halls worldwide.
A member of the faculty of DePaul University Community Music Division, Maestro Zikri's many career distinctions include his being named one of the twelve finalists in the 2007 Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition, where he was chosen from 223 candidates from 40 countries. He has attended the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen, Colorado on a fellowship, and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from DePaul University, as well as a Performance Certificate in violin.
"Through his global performance experience, Maestro Zikri will bring the world of music to Northbrook," said Northbrook Symphony Board President James Karagianis. "We're delighted to welcome him and trust his vision for the future of both our symphony and the broader classical music community in Chicagoland and beyond."
About Northbrook Symphony
Founded in 1980 by former Chicago Symphony Concertmaster Sam Magad, the Northbrook Symphony presents high-quality performances and "novel programming" (John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune) aimed to increase the relevance of classical music in listeners' daily lives. Based out of the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts in Northbrook, the symphony has established its reputation as a valuable classical music resource in the greater Chicago metropolitan area by presenting guest artists of wide-ranging accomplishments, collaborating with local organizations to enhance interest in music and the orchestra, and fostering the development of young local musicians. Learn more at northbrooksymphony.org.