Cass Balzer ’16, a clarinetist, Abina Cohen ’15, a violinist, and Dustin Driscoll ’13 and Kelsey Sommer ’15, both singers, will join 21 other musical and visual artists for the event at 2:30 p.m. at Lake Forest High School. Performers also come from Lake Forest High School, the Music Institute of Chicago, and Midwest Young Artists. 

Susan Lape, executive director of Lake Forest Symphony, said 25 Under 25 allows the organization to get more involved in its own community and to expand its outreach offerings. She also hopes it helps to generate a younger audience-base and provide an opportunity for young artists to network with each other.

Lake Forest Symphony and Lake Forest College already have a “lovely” relationship, Lape said, mainly because of George Speros, associate dean of the faculty emeritus, who is a member of Lake Forest Symphony’s Board of Directors.

Lape contacted Department of Music Chair Don Meyer to invite Forester performers to the special event, and Meyer asked his colleagues to nominate students from choir, band, and orchestra.

Meyer said Lape, who recently joined Lake Forest Symphony, has been “an amazing boost to that organization, providing fresh ideas and dynamic leadership.”

Lake Forest Symphony in the past has offered free concert tickets to students, and this year, they are hosting an intern from the College for the first time. Sommer, one of the four performers, is the marketing and community outreach intern. One of her recent tasks has been to promote 25 Under 25 on campus and throughout the community.

“We hope this will become a regular, ongoing opportunity for our students interested in learning the business side of non-profit arts organizations,” Meyer said.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased on the Lake Forest Symphony web page.

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The line-up for Lake Forest College performers:

Dustin Driscoll ’13 will sing “Pirate King” from Pirates of Penzance.

“I am excited to sing it because it is a staple in my repertoire and always an enjoyable piece to share with a listening audience.”

Cass Balzer ’16 will perform the first and third movements of Xavier Lefèvre’s “7th Sonata.”

“I chose to perform this piece, these movements in particular, because they are very dynamic. The composition really shows off what the clarinet can do, in both range and style. It is a very interesting piece, and I think people will really enjoy it.”

Kelsey Sommer ’15 will sing “L’heure Exquise” by Reynaldo Hahn and “O Mistress Mine” by Amy Beach.

News Contact

Kellie Doyle
doyle@lakeforest.edu
847-735-6177

Related Links:

• Lake Forest Symphony