NORTHWEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

2026/2027

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra (NSO) of Arlington Heights brings the joy and power of live orchestral music to our community through performances by passionate volunteer musicians from across the Chicagoland area. The NSO is committed to artistic excellence, fostering local talent, and creating inclusive musical experiences that inspire, educate, and connect audiences of all ages. Through youth engagement, educational outreach, and partnerships with local organizations, the NSO nurtures the next generation of musicians and music lovers by proudly presenting high- quality orchestral performances that are welcoming, accessible, and affordable to all.

As the NSO enters its impressive 74th year led by Music Director and Conductor Timothy Semanik, the ensemble is preparing a season that is sure to be one of its most ambitious and inspiring yet. With four engaging concerts and an annual community Messiah Sing-Along, the NSO invites audiences to experience music that reflects its long history while showcasing extraordinary artistic talent in the convenience of the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.

The season opens with America 250: Reflecting Back, Forging Forward, a powerful musical journey honoring the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial. The program will highlight iconic American composers, including Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ives, and Jessie Montgomery. Also featured is the vibrant and culturally-rich Symphony No. 1 of Florence Price, the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra in 1933. It’s a concert that celebrates resilience and the evolving American story.

Holiday traditions continue with the NSO’s annual Messiah Sing-Along, a joyful community favorite where audience members join their voices with soloists and the orchestra in Handel’s timeless masterpiece. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or simply love the spirit of the season, this event brings everyone together with warmth and connection.

In the winter, the NSO turns to the fantastical with Otherworldly Pops, a shimmering program featuring Holst’s jubilant "Jupiter" from The Planets, Josef Strauss’s elegant "Music of the Spheres", plus the dreamlike work of Debussy and the cinematic brilliance from John Williams and Hans Zimmer. It’s a concert designed to transport listeners far beyond the everyday with familiar music that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

Spring brings a showcase of virtuosity with Effervescent Ibert and Elegiac Brahms, as NSO principal flautist Barbara Holland performs Jacques Ibert’s dazzling Flute Concerto, followed by the beauty and lyricism of Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.

The season concludes with an exhilarating All-Sibelius Finale, featuring the Paul Vermel Young Artist Award Winner Aki Santibañez in the electrifying Violin Concerto. The program also includes the Karelia Overture, Lemminkäinen’s Return, and Sibelius’s majestic Seventh Symphony.

With bold programming and exceptional musicians performing in the Northwest Suburbs, the Northwest Symphony Orchestra’s 74th season is one you won’t want to miss.