Maine East choirs, orchestras to present fall concert Oct. 15
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of music, artistry and collaboration as the Maine East Choir and Orchestra present their annual Fall Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct, 15, in the Maine East High School Auditorium, 2601 Dempster St., Park Ridge. Admission is free and open to all members of the community.
This year’s concert promises a dynamic showcase of Maine East’s talented student musicians and vocalists, featuring inspiring performances, innovative projects and exciting partnerships with collegiate music programs.
Orchestra highlights
The Maine East Orchestras will captivate audiences with an array of masterworks by Mussorgsky, Telemann, Vivaldi and more.
The Symphony Orchestra will offer a special preview of their upcoming collaboration with Elmhurst University, where they will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for Strings in D Major — a moving exploration of English folk melody and symphonic color.
The Philharmonic Orchestra continues to push creative boundaries, presenting Me (reAffirmation) — a powerful composition centered on mental health awareness. As part of this project, students have crafted their own personal affirmations to display in the classroom, connecting deeply to the work’s message of resilience and self-worth.
Throughout the semester, students have also benefited from workshops with guest artists and professional coaches, enhancing both their technical mastery and artistic expression.
Choir highlights:
The Maine East Choirs — Bass Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and a cappella groups — will deliver a diverse and uplifting program under the direction of Kate Lee, with Emma Gingold accompanying on piano. The choirs’ selections span genres from folk and gospel to pop, classical, and world traditions, reflecting the rich range and skill of Maine East’s vocal ensembles.
Adding to the spirit of collaboration, the choir is also partnering with Carthage College to explore new approaches to vocal performance and artistry, offering students the chance to learn from collegiate-level musicians and conductors.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, the choir program will be attending the Lakeside Choral Festival at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. All four choirs will be participating in musical clinics with a collegiate choir director, take a campus tour and perform in a concert with other high schools from the Midwest.
A celebration of student talent
More than 200 students will take the stage in this evening of shared artistry and community pride. The Fall Concert is not just a performance — it’s a testament to the creativity, dedication, and collaboration that define Maine East’s thriving performing arts program.