Chicago Sinfonietta is proud to welcome new musicians, Darren Carter and Caitlin Edwards, for our 2025-2026 season!

Darren Carter

Darren joins us as a section violinist and was a third-year member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Recently, Darren was appointed Assistant Principal of the Colorado Music Festival, and has also performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and New World Symphony. In previous summers, he has attended and performed with the National Repertory Orchestra and Aspen Music Festival as an orchestral leadership fellow. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Darren earned his bachelor’s degree in music at Baylor University and his master’s at DePaul University, where he currently pursues a Performer’s Certificate and studies with Ann Marie Brink. In his spare time, Darren enjoys listening to music, playing games, and hiking Colorado’s famous 14ers.

When asked “What is it about Chicago Sinfonietta that made you choose to audition?” he replied:

“I was drawn to the Sinfonietta’s mission to promote new and less commonly performed music alongside the presentation of classic staples in the repertoire, which I believe are both important to the world of classical music. The orchestra seems to have a very positive and welcoming community, and I’m super excited to be a part of it.”

Caitlin Edwards

Caitlin joins us as a Section 1 violinist. She is a former Freeman Orchestra Fellow. A visionary artist who seamlessly blends her cultural roots with her musical upbringing to curate performances that resonate with authenticity, impact, and joy. Her multifaceted career as a violinist, composer, and youth advocate has earned her widespread recognition as a musical force in Chicago and beyond, captivating audiences on both national and international stages.

In 2023, Caitlin released her first album of classical works, Mere Mortals, with pianist Daniel Schlosberg. In August 2021, she released her debut solo album, Exhale, a transcending work that merges the elegance of classical music with the soulful harmonies of gospel and neo-soul. She has performed and recorded alongside iconic artists such as Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Earth Wind and Fire, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Stewart Copeland, Common, Lucky Daye, Yolanda Adams, Nas, India Arie, PJ Morton, and more. Notably, Caitlin contributed her sound to the ReCollective Orchestra in recording the movie score for the Disney movie, “The Lion King,” at Sony Studios.

in April of 2019. She has received four Grammy certificates for her work on these projects.

Caitlin’s accolades include being a 2023 Sphinx MPower Artist Grant recipient, a 2022 Esteemed Artist Awardee from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and a 2021 3Arts/Walder Foundation Award winner.

[CHICAGO, September 5, 2025]— Chicago Sinfonietta’s outgoing Board Chair Jim Weidner and newly appointed President and CEO Sidney Jackson are pleased to announce the election of the Sinfonietta’s new Board Chair, Wendy Lewis, to a term of three years beginning this month. Weidner, who served as Chair for the past three years, became Emeritus Chair.

“It has been a privilege to serve as the Chair of this Board these past few years,” said Weidner. “The role of the Chicago Sinfonietta to bring classical music to ALL of Chicago has never been more important. I’m particularly proud of the work we’ve done both at home, to reach and serve more of Chicago’s communities, and on the road in 2024 to perform at Spelman College in Atlanta.”

He continued, “I congratulate Wendy on her new post. I worked closely with Wendy in her role as Interim CEO this past year and am most confident in her abilities to lead this Board.”  

Chicago Sinfonietta’s President and CEO Sidney Jackson, who joined the Sinfonietta in May, said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Wendy as our new Chair. She is an outstanding leader who brings a wide range of perspectives and deep experience to our team, and it’s a dream come true for me to partner with her as we lead this unique organization forward! We are energized for an exciting year of imaginative, thoughtful programs and educational initiatives. Jim Weidner has my thanks, as well, for his steadfast support of this organization.”

“Staying true to the mission of our founder Paul Freeman is essential to Sinfonietta’s strategic plan for continued growth,” said incoming Board Chair Wendy Lewis. “Freeman’s legacy is embedded in all aspects of the organization. It grounds us as well as propels us forward in purpose, artistic excellence, commitment to communities, and the richness of diversity.  I’m honored to be a part of leading this Board and this game changing institution.” 

Wendy Lewis has served on various committees of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Board since 2016. She was appointed interim CEO during the organization’s search for President and CEO and brings decades of experience in the diversity and inclusion space from her work   with Major League Baseball and McDonald’s.

Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2025-26 season begins in October, and features five subscription programs, each performed in a distinguished Chicago venue— Studebaker Theater, Mandel Hall, The Auditorium, Harris Theater, and Pick-Saiger Hall—and in Naperville at Wentz Auditorium at North Central College. Other events and initiatives include free Music Mondays at Chicago Public Libraries, the Freeman Fellowship program, monthly community performances, and much more.

Subscriptions and tickets for all events can be purchased via the website.

About Wendy Lewis

About Chicago Sinfonietta

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Media Contact: Rachelle Roe

Arts, Etc. Public Relations

312.618.6655

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.

Chicago, IL – The Indian Eye, a prominent national South Asian publication, has featured Chicago Sinfonietta’s announcement of its groundbreaking season opener “Bollywood & Beyond” on their website today, bringing national attention to the orchestra’s historic programming.

The feature highlights the October 17-18 concerts that will present the Chicago premiere of the first-ever symphonic orchestral arrangements of Bollywood classics, marking a significant milestone in both the Sinfonietta’s programming and cross-cultural musical presentation.

The concerts will feature Indian American conductor Roger Kalia, a former Chicago Sinfonietta Freeman Conducting Fellow, and renowned North American Bollywood vocalist Anuradha “Juju” Palakurthi in the first half’s “Symphony Masala” selections. The second half returns to Western repertoire with works by composers from Taiwan, India, France, and China, truly embodying the “East Meets West” theme.

The Indian Eye’s coverage underscores the national importance of the Sinfonietta’s commitment to diverse programming and cultural celebration through symphonic music.

Friday, October 17, 2025, 7:00 PM – Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 7:00 PM – Studebaker Theater, Chicago

Tickets available at chicagosinfonietta.org

Chicago, IL – Chicago Sinfonietta announced today details of IGNITE, a bold, dynamic season fueled by passion, creativity and expression, celebrating the power of music, the culture of Chicago, paying tribute to those who have and continue to inspire change, and lighting the way to deeper connections. The season is an open invitation to engage on one’s own terms through a diverse, colorful, curated selection of contemporary and established music from around the globe and closer to home, genre-defying collaborations, powerful premieres, featuring symphonic music, reimagined, for everyone.

“We are thrilled to unveil a truly electrifying season,” said Sidney P. Jackson, Jr, President & CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta. “In a world marked by uncertainty and division, the arts remain one of our most powerful forces for unity and transformation. Music can ignite something profound, hope, dialogue, reflection, and joy, and this season, we lean fully into that spark.

“Chicago Sinfonietta has always been at the forefront of innovation and equity in classical music, and our 38th season carries that legacy forward. Through five subscription concerts across six venues, we are not only expanding our reach, we are deepening our commitment to accessibility, representation, and artistic excellence. From championing women and BIPOC composers to reimagining the concert experience for today’s world, we remain rooted in the belief that music is both mirror and catalyst. This season, we invite our community to join us not just as listeners, but as co-creators, to ignite change together.”

“Storytelling is at the heart of every musical piece, and each work has the power to connect us to a larger world and to light passion within us,” stated Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. “This 2025-26 season is about bold storytelling – connecting us more deeply to each other, inspiring one another, and celebrating the community we help to create – all through orchestral sounds with an emphasis on blazing trails and strength! Our season, IGNITE, illuminates this and more, showing how even one story can affect change and embrace inclusion.

“Our 2025-26 begins with a celebration of Asian themes. The first half shines light on Indian music with a modern twist in the Chicago premiere of works arranged for Western instruments, sung by renowned Bollywood singer Juju in her Chicago Sinfonietta debut, and conducted by an early Freeman Conducting Fellow Roger Kalia, who shares the podium with me in this Season Opening program. The second half features works from my historic moments with this wonderful orchestra – with the iconic “Saibei Dance” by An-Lun Huang (the very first work I fell in love conducting the Chicago Sinfonietta as a guest conductor in an “East Meets West” theme) and Tyzen Hsiao’s The Angel of Formosa (a work reflecting my original roots from Taiwan) – both were significant works in my first program as Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta after our beloved Maestro Freeman passed the baton to me in 2011.

“Our uplifting and bright holiday concert is led by a more recent Freeman Conducting Fellow, Kedrick Armstrong, who experienced a meteoric rise in the industry after starting his tenure as the new Music Director of the Oakland Symphony this past season.

“Our annual Dr. King Tribute concert, which focuses on courage and community, features a live orchestral world premiere by our first Artist in Residence, American composer Kathryn Bostic – her Suite from The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat Hulu film (based on Chicago Sinfonietta cellist Edward Kelsey Moore’s New York Times Best Selling book of thesame title), and a reprise of our co-commission, breathe/burn: an elegy, by Joel Thompson in memory of Breonna Taylor, calling out injustice, which we premiered to the world in March 2021 as an online virtual concert. Cellist Jeffrey Zeigler makes his Chicago Sinfonietta debut in this powerful new work.

“Our fourth subscription concert is a testimonial to trailblazing women and a celebration of firsts, and features all women composers, including the Chicago Sinfonietta commissioned world premiere of a new work by Shirley J. Thompson presented in a collaboration with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in celebration of the dance troupe’s 30th anniversary, and the Chicago Sinfonietta premiere of Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony – through which she became the first American woman to publish a symphony in 1894 and to have it performed by a major American Orchestra in 1896.

“To open the Season Finale, we have commissioned Chicago Sinfonietta Assistant Principal Violist and former Freeman Fellow, Seth Pae, for a Miles Davis Tribute celebrating the 100th anniversary of this Illinois-born artist. Our program anchors on African American composer William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony – a riveting and intense work that the Chicago Sinfonietta has performed several times before. This work, being one of three most significant works premiered in the 1930s by history-making African American composers (William Grant Still’s 1931 Afro-American Symphony, Florence Price’s 1933 Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, and Dawson’s aforementioned 1936 work), has seen a revival movement across the country in recent years following Chicago Sinfonietta’s championing. Pianist Clayton Stephenson, who debuted with us in 2016, returns to perform George Gershwin’s popular Rhapsody in Blue.

“Later in this season, we will also release our latest recording, Black Being, produced by our longtime collaborator, Cedille Records. A unique multi-media project created by Flutronix (distinguished flutists and composers, Nathalie Joachim and Allison Loggins-Hull), I have no doubt that this new album will take the recording industry by storm.

“I welcome you to join us in sharing the journey of storytelling through music and IGNITING your passion!”

Chicago Sinfonietta Board Chair James Weidner remarked, “Chicago Sinfonietta has always been at the forefront of inclusion and the power of music to create positive change. This season, under our new President and CEO Sidney P. Jackson, Jr., is another thrilling chapter in our legacy, painted with the varied and beautiful colors of cultures that make up our Chicagoland community. We move forward with courage from the roots of our past and are so proud to present our exciting season and introduce our new leader to Chicago.”

» Full Press Release

Chicago Sinfonietta
IGNITE – 2025-26 Season