The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest: Orchestra Personnel

Founded in 1931, The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest is one of the nation's oldest community orchestras. The Illinois Council of Orchestras recognized its continued excellence in 2011 with the Community Orchestra of the Year Award in addition to naming Music Director Jay Friedman its Conductor of the Year.

Read the History of this Orchestra. [pdf]

Mission statement

The mission of the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is three-fold:

To provide the opportunity for orchestral and vocal musicians to perform symphonic works together at the highest possible level of artistry;
To provide the opportunity for all of the members of our diverse local community to experience symphonic music in live performances of high quality; and
To foster the appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of symphonic music by present and future generations.

Jay Friedman, Music Director
Maurice Boyer, Assistant Conductor
William Chin, Chorus Director
John Gerson, Concertmaster
Beth Hoover, General Manager
Jaren Hillard, Music Librarian

First Violin

John Gerson, Concertmaster
Marcus Hober, Assistant
Elizabeth Alvarez
Donna Byrne
Fernando Carrillo
Fritz Gross
Jenny Hale
Matthew Hoover
Paula Johannesen
Suzanne McBride
Lisa Minish
Elizabeth Rexford, Section Organizer
Donald Schmalz,
Concert Master Emeritus
Liaht Slobodkin
Cheryl Toncray-Smerz
Melody Turner
Marylou Witz
Michelle Wynton

Second Violin

Carol Janossy, Principal
Tom Bell
Irina Calin-Jageman
Gina Fiore
Cheryl Flinn
Joey Frost
Caherine Hennessey
Tom Hoover, Intern
Yi-Chen Huang
Erendira Izquerra
Stephanie Kissam
Brian Lee
Staci Mahaffey
Judy Meredith
Luke Shalla
Ed Torgerson
Julie Tumma
Wailin Wong

Viola

Uli Widmajer, Principal
Jerry Brown
Ellen Callahan
Charity Anne Caldwell
Lili Casillas
Mitchell Cooper
Keith Jones
Sandy Korelc
Kc Jutchler Mutchler
Jackie Sabida Sabuda
Robert Spitz
Nicole Victoria

Cello

Mara Leonard, Principal
David Cooper, Intern
Rhea Davis
Christian Hernandez, Intern
Petr Hustak
Jeanne Joannesen
Petr Hustak
Lenore Mass
Valerie Meineke
Mara Peterson
Chris Springthorpe
Allison Strickland

Bass

Kristina Lee, Principal
Thea Christou
Ceazar DePaoli, intern
James Janossy, Jr.
Ilya Karpasov
David Malatesta
Michael Sinclair
Jolie Quick

Harp

Jennifer Ruggieri
Janelle Lake

Flute

Laurel Tempas, Principal
Carrie Torgerson
Julie Siarny, Piccolo
Marcia Hustad
Barbara Saks

Oboe

Debbie Barford, Principal
Linda Johnson
Beth Hoover, English Horn
Jaren Hillard

Clarinet

Diane Doll, Principal
Bruce Currie
Kumiko Nowlan
Jim Robinson
Scott Thomas, Bass
Walter Grabner, Bass

Bassoon

Katie Broyles, Principal
Carol Hopwood
Lisa Rathje

French Horn

David Barford, Principal
Abby Black
Johanna Johnson
Becky Leff
Jennifer Murtoff
Melinda Robinson
Elizabeth Beth Trizna

Trumpets

Dale Kerner, Principal
Chris Jackson
Tim Newitt
Charles Roberts

Trombone

Christopher Wood, Principal
Patrick Zielinski
Lance Malina, Bass

Tuba

Luke Hollis

Percussion

Mike Charbonneau, Timpani, Principal
Matthew Hart
Suzy Beck
Michael Daniel
Mike Mayer

Keyboard

David Leehey, Piano, Celesta & Rehearsal Accompanist
Steven Wente, Organ

Board of Directors

David Leehey, President
Cheryl Flinn, Treasurer
Julie Tumma, Secretary
Carole Benson
Jerry Brown
Diane Doll
Dan Harrison
Kristina Lee
Judy Meredith
Sil Pesavento
Sue Sentowski
Chris Springthorpe

Advisory Board

Anan Abu-Taleb
Catherine Adduci
Anthony Calderone
Donna Carroll
Susan Cartland-Bode
Henry Fogel
Carl Grapentine
Terry McIlroy
Melbourne A. Noel, Jr.
Chatka Ruggiero
Eugene Wedoff
Peggy Wedoff
Jack Zimmerman

This award winning community orchestra, which includes both amateur and professional members, is always looking for more passionate musicians. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. and are held at Concordia University in River Forest. If you are interested in joining the symphony, please email Beth Hoover. You will be contacted with further information.