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Heatherington to leave Lake Forest Symphony
Alan Heatherington
Updated: December 4, 2012 12:39PM
Maestro Alan Heatherington will step down as music director of the Lake Forest Symphony at the end of the 2012-2013 season.
In an announcement this week, Heatherington said, “After a long and rewarding association with the Lake Forest Symphony, I have reached the difficult decision to conclude my tenure as music director at the expiration of my current contract. I treasure the music-making I have shared with the orchestra, and I am grateful to my loyal audience and patrons who have supported my leadership for 13 years. However, in changing times, organizations move in new directions. Accordingly the symphony board and I have come to a mutual agreement that the symphony should begin looking for a new music director in the 2013-2014 season.”
Jay Owen, president of the Lake Forest Symphony Board of Directors, praised Heatherington for his success in strengthening the Lake Forest Symphony’s reputation for outstanding and innovative concert experiences during his 13 years as music director.
The Symphony will award Heatherington with the title Music Director Emeritus to honor his years of commitment and service.
“Alan’s unique talents have breathed new life into a longstanding Lake County institution,” Owen said, “and he has shown an incredible commitment to educating and inspiring his audiences. Thanks to the artistic strength of the symphony under Alan’s direction, we are confident we will attract exceptional talent in our search for a new music director.”
Appointed music director of the Lake Forest Symphony in 2000, Heatherington had he also served as concertmaster under Victor Aitay from 1968 to 1978. In 2006, under Heatherington’s leadership, the orchestra won “Orchestra of the Year.”
Heatherington continues to lead the Lake Forest Symphony for the final three concert pairs of the 2012-2013 Season. “Sizzling Strings,” Jan. 25-26, will feature works of Barber, Grieg, Borodin and Stravinsky and showcase some of the best string players in the Chicago area.
“Stormy Tchaikovsky,” March 15-16, will feature a concerto played by the winner of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Emilio Del Rosario Chicago’s Emilio Del Rosario Piano Competition paired with Tchaikovsky’s “The Tempest” and his Symphony No. 4.
The final two concerts of the season, May 17-18, will be Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) with the Chicago Master Singers and solo vocalists Michelle Areyzaga and Sarah Holman.
A special tribute will be planned to celebrate Heatherington’s years of service to the symphony at these final May concerts.
For more information, call (847) 295-2135 or see www.lakeforestsymphony.org.
