Our Story

History

The Lakeview Orchestra was founded in 2013 and is recognized as “Chicago’s premier non-professional orchestra” (Chicago Classical Review). Under the baton of Artistic Director Gregory Hughes, the orchestra presents acclaimed performances that engage, entertain, and educate. The orchestra is home to professionally-trained musicians that revel at opportunities to perform a diverse variety of music — from established masterworks to pieces written expressly for the ensemble.

The orchestra's commitment to artistic excellence has been noted by audiences, critics, and artists alike. In 2016 the Lakeview Orchestra garnered an unprecedented three awards in a single year from the Illinois Council of Orchestras, including the prestigious Orchestra of the Year award.
 

Mission

The mission of the Lakeview Orchestra is to engage, entertain, and educate audiences through symphonic music, provide an opportunity for Chicago area musicians to develop and perform, and strengthen the appreciation for and understanding of classical music in the Lakeview community and beyond.

Praise from Chicago Classical Review (selected excerpts)

  • A “distinguished nonprofessional orchestra” (Feb. 2025)

  • “Chicago’s premier nonprofessional orchestra” (Feb. 2024; Oct. 2023; Oct. 2021)

  • Praised for “characteristic steadiness and open ears, evidence of living within the music and extensive preparation” (Feb. 2024)

  • Recognized for “sensitive” performances and the “very high standard” and “hard work” achieved by the musicians (Oct. 2023)

  • “[T]he concert was a success and it was a pleasure to spend an afternoon listening to people make music for the love of it.” (Apr. 2023)

  • Recognized as an ensemble that “consistently punches above its weight with committed playing, intelligent musical direction and, often, superb performances that belie its nonprofessional status.” “[T]he Lakeview Orchestra provided wonderful advocacy for this neglected gem.” (Feb. 2023)

  • The performance “brought the audience to its feet in hearty and well-deserved applause.” (Apr. 2022)

  • A “dynamic community orchestra”; “The vast majority of Lakeview Orchestra members make their livings in non-musical professions, and it was moving to see such a group offer a devoted performance for the sheer joy of doing so.” (Feb. 2022)

  • “The orchestra, under the assured baton of artistic director Gregory Hughes, played with lyricism and a wide palette of colors.” (Oct. 2021)

  • Lakeview Orchestra “is clearly an ensemble on the rise, and the Lakeview Orchestra should be on the radar of all concert-going audiences in Chicago not just those in their local neighborhood.” (Oct. 2018)

Awards

  • 2024: Illinois Council of Orchestras: Programming of the Year, Lakeview Orchestra

  • 2024: Illinois Council of Orchestras: Volunteer of the Year (Alexandra Newman, Lakeview Orchestra)

  • 2023: Chicago Classical Review: Honorable Mention – Top Ten Performance of 2023

  • 2016: Illinois Council of Orchestras: Community Orchestra of the Year, Lakeview Orchestra

  • 2016: Illinois Council of Orchestras: Conductor of the Year, Gregory Hughes, Community Orchestra, Lakeview Orchestra

  • 2016: Illinois Council of Orchestras: Volunteer of the Year (Taylor Scott, Lakeview Orchestra)