Founded in 1931, The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest is one of the nation's oldest community orchestras. The Illinois Council of Orchestras recognized its continued excellence in 2011 with the Community Orchestra of the Year Award in addition to naming Music Director Jay Friedman its Conductor of the Year.
Read the History of this Orchestra. [pdf]
Mission statement
The mission of the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is three-fold:
- To provide the opportunity for orchestral and vocal musicians to perform symphonic works together at the highest possible level of artistry;
- To provide the opportunity for all of the members of our diverse local community to experience symphonic music in live performances of high quality; and
- To foster the appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of symphonic music by present and future generations.
Maurice Boyer, Assistant conductor
William Chin, Chorus director
John Gerson, Concertmaster
Beth Hoover, General manager
Larry Leonard, Music librarian
First Violin
John Gerson, ConcertmasterElizabeth Alvarez
Donna Byrne
Katie Crouch
Fritz Gross
Stephanie Harris
Alice Martin
Suzanne McBride
Lisa Minish
Elizabeth Rexford, Section Organizer
Donald Schmalz, Concert Master Emeritus
Liaht Slobodkin
Melody Turner
Marylou Witz
Michelle Wynton
Second Violin
Carol Janossy, PrincipalTom Bell
Irina Calin-Jageman
Gina Fiore
Cheryl Flinn
Joey Frost
Yi-Chen Huang
Ada Ignatov
Ashley Kerner, Intern
Staci Mahaffey
Judy Meredith
Elisa A. Orozco
Luke Shalla
Julie Tumma
Viola
Ben Poshily, Principal
Jerry Brown
Ellen Callahan
Charity Anne Caldwell
Lili Casillas
Mitchell Cooper
Amanda Kellman, Intern
Sandy Korelc, Section Organizer
Robert Spitz
Cello
Mara Leonard, PrincipalEva Maria Barbado
Jennifer Barron
David Cooper, Intern
Rhea Davis
Petr Hustak
Jane Malina
Lenore Mass
Valerie Meineke
Chris Springthorpe
Allison Strickland
Anna Tyberg
Evan White
Jeff Wirtz
Bass
Kristina Lee, PrincipalThea Christou
Ceazar DePaoli, intern
James Janossy, Jr.
Ilya Karpasov
David Malatesta
Michael Sinclair
Jolie Quick
Harp
Jennifer RuggieriJanelle Lake
Flute
Laurel Tempas, PrincipalCarrie Torgerson
Julie Siarny, Piccolo
Barbara Saks
Marcia Hustad
Oboes
Debbie Barford, PrincipalLinda Johnson
Beth Hoover-Gavriel, English Horn
Jaren Hillard
Clarinet
Diane Doll, PrincipalBruce Currie
Kumiko Nowlan
Jim Robinson
Scott Thomas, Bass
Walter Grabner, Bass
Bassoon
Heather McCowen, PrincipalCarol Hopwood
Lisa Rathje
Chad Taylor, Contrabassoon
French Horn
David Barford, Principal
Abby Black
Johanna Johnson
Mike Papierniak
Melinda Robinson
Adrienne Schroeder
Trumpets
Dale Kerner, PrincipalEdward Kerner
Chris Jackson
Tim Newitt
Charles Roberts
Trombone
Christopher Wood, PrincipalPatrick Zielinski
Lance Malina, Bass
Tuba
Luke HollisPercussion
Mike Charbonneau, Timpani, PrincipalSuzy Beck
Michael Daniel
Matthew Hart
Mike Mayer
John Staunton
Keyboard
David Leehey, Piano, Celesta & Rehearsal AccompanistSteven Wente, Organ
Mio Nakamura, Organ
Board of directors
David Leehey, PresidentCheryl Flinn, Treasurer
Julie Tumma, Secretary
Carole Benson
Jerry Brown
Diane Doll
Kristina Lee
Judy Meredith
Sil Pesavento
James Walter
Advisory board
Anan Abu-Taleb
Catherine Adduci
Anthony Calderone
Donna Carroll
Susan Cartland-Bode
Henry Fogel
Carl Grapentine
Terry McIlroy
Melbourne A. Noel, Jr.
Chatka Ruggiero
Eugene Wedoff
Peggy Wedoff
Jack Zimmerman
This award winning community orchestra, which includes both amateur and professional members, is always looking for more passionate musicians. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. and are held at Concordia University in River Forest. If you are interested in joining the symphony, please email Beth Hoover. You will be contacted with further information.
