Northwest Festival Orchestra prepares for tonight's concert

The Northwest Festival Orchestra was practicing Tuesday for its Gala Holiday Concert tonight at Harper College in Palatine.

The orchestra, which was organized in 2006 and is performing its first holiday concert, will play works by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Humperdinck and others.

Guest conductor Steven Larsen, music director of the Rockford Symphony, will join artistic director and resident conductor Verne Schwager on the podium.

Hermine Gagné of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will serve as concertmistress.

The orchestra features more than 60 professional musicians.

Soprano Emily Lyday, mezzo soprano Sarah Ponder, tenor Jay Decker and Schaumburg baritone Charles Martin also will perform.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at Harper's Performing Arts Center, 1200 Algonquin Road, Palatine.

Tickets can be purchased at the door ($25 adult/$15 student) or in advance at (847) 392-9003 or (847) 925-6100 for credit card orders.

The orchestra's goals are to present regular concerts, to provide opportunities for outstanding young local talent to perform and to include a number of varied vocalists and young conductors.