Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

Founded in 2004 as the Full Score Chamber Orchestra, the Lake County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) has evolved into a significant regional cultural asset. The orchestra presents a diverse range of orchestral and chamber music, seamlessly blending established masterworks with compositions by contemporary composers. In addition to its Mainstage season, the LCSO is known for its family concerts, holiday performances, outdoor patriotic celebrations, and educational programs aimed at introducing new audiences to the world of orchestral music.

This is a season of milestones. The 2026–27 Mainstage season, Life, in Four Movements, opens September 12 with New Worlds — a program of discovery built around Beethoven's Creatures of Prometheus, a rediscovered overture by 19th-century composer Louise Farrenc, Mendelssohn's The Hebrides Overture, and Beethoven's own Symphony No. 1. Guiding the orchestra through is guest conductor Jennifer Huang, the first woman to conduct LCSO in its 22-year history.

The 2026–27 season also marks the orchestra’s first full season under Executive Director Lauren Moldenhauer, the first woman to hold the role. Moldenhauer, the LCSO's principal flutist, began the new role in 2025. Under her leadership, LCSO has strengthened its long-term foundation with the establishment of the Rita Lou Brown Music Director Chair, supported by a $100,000 endowment. Says Moldenhauer, “I experience this organization from every angle — from the budget spreadsheets and season planning behind the scenes, all the way through sitting on stage for the downbeat. Now, officially at the helm, I'm more energized than ever about what's next: a season full of firsts, new partnerships like our upcoming performance at Stevenson High School, and a community we're so proud to call home."

First-generation Filipino American Jon Irabagon’s music is deeply influenced by his cultural roots and personal identity. The Chicago native made a name for himself with his skills in both composition and improvisation, winning the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition in 2008 and becoming a Guggenheim Fellow in 2026. Jon’s educational path took him through DePaul University, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard, where he developed a unique style that blends modern classical music with jazz improvisation. Since January 2023, Jon has served on the faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago, teaching jazz saxophone, combos, and jazz history. He has given masterclasses in saxophone, improvisation, and composition on four continents and taught at institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy.

Jon's band, PlainsPeak, recently released their debut album "Someone to Someone," which features his original compositions that mix traditional jazz with open group improvisation. He also released WINDS, an album that includes pieces dedicated to the Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely and composer Anthony Braxton. His upcoming performances include the Chicago Jazz Festival on September 5th with the Patricia Brennan Septet, the Sound and Gravity Festival on September 5th with Dan Oestreicher, and the Hyde Park Jazz Festival with PlainsPeak on Saturday, September 26th.

On talking about the support from the Illinois Arts Council's Creative Accelerator Fund, Jon says, "The CAF award came at just the right time for my career here in Chicago. After moving from New York City, it took a while to build a network of musicians to help my compositions grow. The award’s timing was perfect for rehearsing, touring, and recording during a peak creative period for everyone involved. I’m incredibly grateful for the IAC’s support, which helps me keep creating and thriving."