Click here to download the 2007-8 schedule as a .pdf file

The Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra (LCO) was founded in 1990 by its Music Director Philip Simmons, a long time Lincolnwood resident who graduated from Lincoln Hall in 1975 and Niles West High School in 1979. A huge part of the orchestra's success is the ongoing support of the Village of Lincolnwood, and the leadership of current Mayor Jerry Turry.

The LCO is a professional free-lance ensemble comprised of Chicago's finest musicians. It was named Chamber Ensemble of the Year in 2000 by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, and maintains an excellent artistic reputation throughout Chicagoland. World renowned artists have appeared as soloist with the LCO, including the late William Warfield, Lukas Foss, Radoslav Kvapil, Rachel Barton-Pine, Wendy Warner, Dennis James, David Schrader, and numerous players from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Over the years the orchestra has performed nearly 100 concerts at a variety of venues including the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Preston Bradley Hall (Chicago Cultural Center), and Northwestern University's Lutkin Hall. Concerts in Lincolnwood have been given at the Community Center, Village Hall, Lincoln Hall Middle School, Library, Proesel Park, St. John's Lutheran Church, and Town Center. Recent performances have been given at Loeber Motors Mercedes Benz Dealership (benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Katrina) and at Grossinger's Cadillac Showroom. The LCO regularly appears on other performing arts series including the Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation Fine Arts Series and the Chicago Silent Summer Film Festival at the Portage Theater.

The orchestra has two recordings to its credit--with Ars Musica Chicago (music of Alexander Tcherepnin with bass-baritone Andrew Schultz) and the soundtrack to "Help Me" by Chicago filmmaker Darrien Murphy. For a number of seasons the LCO has participated in educational outreach to the Lincolnwood public schools, including "side-by-side" concerts with students. The LCO also provides programming for Lincolnwood Seniors, and is active in other outreach efforts throughout the area.

AMF began to manage the LCO in 2002, when it merged with the Lincolnwood Orchestral Association. AMF remains committed to community programming and educational outreach in Lincolnwood and the surrounding communities, and is proud to have the orchestra available to showcase its cultural exchange mission. This is achieved through the presentation of international guest artists and programming which reflects the music and cultural traditions of our collaborating partners.