Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

Since its founding, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra (ESO) has been a cornerstone of the Evanston community, dedicated to using the power of music to lift the human spirit. With a mission to engage and enrich community life, the ESO offers opportunities for people of all ages to experience classical music through diverse programming and outreach initiatives. The ESO's programming strategy, blending well-known and lesser-known works, continues to engage its audiences. The orchestra has received numerous accolades, including the Illinois Council of Orchestras' "Programming of the Year" award in 2026. Since 2003, ESO's music director, Lawrence Eckerling, has been a driving force in its artistic development along with lending a collaborative approach that brings out the best in his musicians.

This season, the ESO's program, themed "For the Love of Music," promises an exciting lineup to celebrate its 80th anniversary. The opening concert pays homage to Ludwig van Beethoven on the 200th anniversary of his death, featuring his iconic Symphony No. 5. For lovers of Romantic repertoire, ESO Concertmaster Julie Fischer will take center stage in February with the solo violin parts in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, and Winston Choi performs Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto. Organist Stephen Alltop joins the ESO in April to perform Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony. And the season concludes with a performance of Sir Karl Jenkins’ "The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace," in collaboration with the North Shore Choral Society, offering a reflection on war and hope for peace.

Reflecting on this milestone season, Lawrence Eckerling emphasizes the unique community spirit that has sustained the ESO for eight decades. “This is not your typical community orchestra. We've experienced a steady growth over the years. That can be attributed to a number of factors; the players are a part of that, as is the audience and an extremely committed board. At the core, we love to make music, and I believe a dedicated audience is a testament to that." 

Fern Logan has been a renowned photographer since she emerged in the early 1970s. Her work has been exhibited widely, including the groundbreaking Reflections in Black exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum and at the Studio Museum in Harlem. Her photography is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian and the Harlem State Office Building. A recipient of numerous awards and grants, Logan is Professor Emerita of Cinema & Photography at Southern Illinois University. Her book, The Artist Portrait Series, features portraits of prominent Black artists and has been celebrated for its contribution to documenting African American artists.

Funded by an IAC Creative Projects Grant, Fern Logan is currently building on her previous Artist Portrait Series in a new collection featuring full-color portraits of several prominent Illinois artists of color, including Antonio Martinez, Najjar Musawwir, and Tonika Johnson, among others. Logan is currently traveling between Chicago and Southern Illinois to complete the series, which she plans to expand beyond Illinois in the future.

"My creative journey is my lived experience as a Black woman in Western society," Logan shares. Her exhibition, Generations, will open on Labor Day weekend (and run through September) at Artspace Southern Illinois in Carbondale. This exhibition highlights the work of mature artists alongside those they have mentored and inspired, providing a platform for intergenerational dialogue and creative exchange.