Chicago, IL – It was 2011 when North Central College partnered with Chicago Sinfonietta (CS), an award-winning orchestral group with established ties to Chicago’s Loop. Attracted to Wentz Concert Hall for its acoustics and aesthetic beauty, Jim Hirsch, former executive director and CEO, was eager to cross-pollinate CS’s particular brand of innovative classical music with Naperville’s diverse community of music enthusiasts and cultural consumers.

Learn more about our opening night and join us at Bollywood & Beyond on October 17 at 7 PM at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville.

Season tickets, offering a substantial 40% savings, are now available on CS’s website.

Chicago, IL – The Strad the world’s most authoritative and influential string music magazine, read by makers, musicians and teachers since 1890, has featured Chicago Sinfonietta’s announcement of Lindsey Sharpe’s appointment as its new principal cello.

Sharpe was a member of the cello section in the 2024-25 season, and succeeds the Sinfonietta’s founding principal cello Ann Griffin, who steps aside into the assistant principal role.

’Stepping into the Principal role brings a deeper sense of responsibility—not just musically, but as a leader within the ensemble,’ said Sharpe in a statement. ’I’m excited for the challenge of setting the tone for the section, helping shape our collective sound, and building strong collaboration with the other principals.’

The Chicago Sinfonietta will kick-off it’s 2025-26 season with Bollywood & Beyond on October 17 at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville and October 18 at Studebaker Theater in Chicago.

Tickets available at chicagosinfonietta.org

Chicago, IL – The League of American Orchestras announced new members elected to its Board of Directors. Dr. Regynald G. Washington, a member of Chicago Sinfonietta’s Board of Directors since October 2017, is one of the seven new Board members that have joined the League of American Orchestras’ Board of Directors; and will serve a three-year term.

Dr. Washington joins a dynamic group of leaders. Other newly elected members announced alongside Dr. Washington include (in alphabetical order): Rei Hotoda, Music Director, Fresno
Philharmonic; Blake-Anthony Johnson, CEO, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation; Barbara McCelvey, President, Foundation for Jones Hall and President-Elect and
Chair of Development Committee, Houston Symphony Society; Pamela Mayo, CEO and founder of King’s Global Logistics and Member, Ravinia Festival Trustee and Ravinia Festival Women’s
Board Member; Jessica Phillips, Clarinet and E-flat Clarinetist for Metropolitan Opera, Graduate Studies Faculty specializing in Entrepreneurship at The Juilliard School, Consultant, Arts &
Culture, 11A Collaborative, and Board Member and Member of Artist Services Committee, The Field; Elizabeth Shribman, Chief Operating Officer and Former Chief of Staff, San Francisco
Symphony, and Treasurer and Immediate Past President, Association of California Symphony Orchestras.

Please visit Chicago Sinfonietta’s website to learn about upcoming events, IGNITE, our 2025-26 season, and more: chicagosinfonietta.org.

CHICAGO, IL – Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2025 summer season gets underway at the end of this month with a debut appearance on the exquisite Chicago
Botanic Garden’s Morning Music Concert Series at the McGinley Pavillion. This Community Partnership takes place in the neighborhood of Glencoе/
Northbrook, North Suburbs.

Featuring Chicago Sinfonietta’s Principal Flute, Janice MacDonald and flutist Laura Hamm performing GP Telemann’s delightful Sonata No. 5 in A Major,
TWV 40:105.

View the Garden’s lakes and Evening Island as you listen to a relaxing musical performance. You can also enjoy a walk or grab a bite at one of the dining locations.

Enjoy the sound of beautiful music and see/hear your Chicago Sinfonietta musicians in works not on the upcoming 2025-26 season, IGNITЕ!

CHICAGO, IL – Chicago Sinfonietta mourns the loss of its friend, long-time board member, generous supporter, and advocate Philip (Phil) Louis Engel. Born on August 20, 1940, in
Chicago, Illinois, Phil passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, in his hometown. He is survived by La, his devoted wife of sixty-two years, his brother Thane and an adoring family. Our
thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

“My heart goes out to Phil’s family,” said Chicago Sinfonietta Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. “Phil was on the search committee that hired me, and was an incredible force of support for
Chicago Sinfonietta. I still vividly remember Phil’s gentle smiles and warmest welcome when he interviewed me over dinner during my very first guest week with the Sinfonietta. One of the
kindest and the most thoughtful person, I am thankful for Phil and all he did for Chicago Sinfonietta. We will miss the one and only Phil Engel tremendously!”

Mr. Engel’s decades-long legacy of support and generosity will continue to inspire us at Chicago Sinfonietta. His remembrance in The Chicago Tribune may be read here.