Suburbs filled with symphony orchestras

I’ve been a Daily Herald subscriber since about 1984. I admire it greatly and never fail to read the Opinion page. In the Nov. 25 editorial, “Arts exist to lift spirits,” the third paragraph states that “Nowhere outside of Elgin, though, will you find a symphony orchestra.” To refute your statement, please see the attached list from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. It mentions only those having been named Orchestra of the Year. There are, of course, many others, such as the Harper College Community Orchestra in Palatine. Many on the list are headquartered in the suburban Chicago area and are thoroughly active.

I played in the (community) DuPage Symphony Orchestra from its founding in 1954 until I retired in 1984. At its most recent concert at North Central College in Naperville, I saw hardly any empty seats in the audience. I tried counting the musicians on the large, slightly crowded stage, got about 84. That contrasts with the 45 who played our first concert in the fall of 1954.

Editor’s note: A list of 22 local symphony orchestras followed this letter.

Harry Kotecki

Schaumburg