
SEASON SCHEDULE
2025/26 Season Official Schedule
Last Revised 9/14/25
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Season Structure:
Fall Cycle: September~November (Fall Concert)
Concerto Cycle: January~February (Retreat and MCCC Concert)
Spring Cycle: February~May (Spring Concert)
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Ensembles
MSO: Midwest String Orchestra
MPO: Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra
MCO: Midwest Chamber Orchestra
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Venues
ORR: Orchestra Rehearsal Room at Midwest Conservatory of Music
NEW Address: 1990 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173
HMC: Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel at Elmhurst University
Address: 190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL
IHEU: Irion Hall at Elmhurst University
Address: 190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL
ACH: Armerding Concert Hall at Wheaton College
Address: 520 E Kenilworth Ave, Wheaton, IL
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Concert Dress
Black suit/tux, white dress shirt, black bowtie, black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes
OR All-black concert attire (black dress, black jumpsuit, etc.)
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Attendance Policy
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Attendance will be taken upon arrival at each rehearsal via sign-in. It is the student's responsibility to sign-in at every rehearsal.
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Students should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the posted rehearsal time.
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Students are required to attend all rehearsals with the exception of 1 excused absence with a minimum 4 hour advanced notice per semester.
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A second excused absence will be based on the music director's discretion. Any other absences may result in termination of membership for the rest of the season.
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All unexcused absences will be investigated and result in termination of membership for the rest of the season.
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Attendance for all dress rehearsals (for MPO, this includes any rehearsal with guest musicians), soundchecks, and concerts are absolutely mandatory for all members. An unexcused absence from a concert will result in termination for all succeeding seasons and may result in the student being billed for the cost of a substitute musician. (~$300)
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Fall Cycle - Weekly Schedule
--ANNOUNCEMENT--
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Brand-new for Fall 2025:
MPO Side-by-side Collaborative Training Cycle
In this unique cycle, students will rehearse and perform alongside industry professionals who will sit in the orchestra as mentors and collaborators. Together, they will explore the intimate yet powerful world of chamber orchestra repertoire, featuring works by Mozart and Schubert.
This “side-by-side” model offers students the rare chance to:
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Perform under the leadership of professional musicians.
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Develop lifelong musical skills through direct mentorship.
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Gain confidence in chamber music artistry and orchestral playing.
2025 Fall Guest Professionals:
Yuri Uomizu - Guest Concertmaster
Eun Kim - Guest Principal Cello
Kumiko Nowlan - Guest Principal Clarinet
Students will perform alongside these professionals at the 2025 Annual Fall Concert.
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Sunday, September 7, 2025 - IHEU
2025/26 Season Kick-off
MSO: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
MPO: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM (Sectionals)
All MPO/MSO/MCO Members and Family: 12:30-1:30 PM (Pizza (provided) and Potluck Party)
-Contributions are greatly appreciated!-
All MPO/MSO/MCO Members: 1:30-2:00 PM (Fall Orchestral Etiquette Seminar)
MSO: Dismissed
MPO: 2:00-3:30 PM (Full rehearsal)
Sunday, September 14, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, September 21, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, September 28, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, October 5, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO Winds Sectional: 3:00-4:30 PM
MPO Strings Sectional: 4:45-6:15 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, October 12, 2025 - ORR
Canceled
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Sunday, October 19, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, October 26, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, November 2, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, November 9, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, November 16, 2025 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Saturday, November 22, 2025 - HMC
(Mandatory dress rehearsal)
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, November 23, 2025 - HMC
2025 Annual Fall Concert
Soundchecks:
MCO: 12:15-12:45 PM
MSO: 12:45-1:15 PM
MPO: 1:15-2:15 PM
*Call time is at least 15 minutes before your soundcheck starts.*
See top of page for dress code.
Doors open: 2:30 PM
Concert starts: 3:00 PM
For tickets, see events.
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MCCC/Retreat Cycle - Weekly Schedule​​
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Sunday, January 18, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, January 25, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, February 1, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, February 8, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, February 14-15, 2026 - HMC
Fourth Annual Overnight Retreat at Elmhurst University
All ensembles: 2/14 9:00 AM - 2/15 6:30 PM
(Detailed itinerary to be released soon)
Retreat includes:
-A visit to Chicago Symphony Orchestra
-Hotel stay in Chicago
-All meals including group dinner in Chicago
-Masterclasses
-Section coaching
-Team-bonding activities
-Culminating concert on Sunday
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Sunday, February 15, 2026 - HMC
12th Annual Midwest Conservatory Concerto Competition (MCCC) Showcase Concert
Doors open: 4:30 PM
Concert starts: 5:00 PM
See top of page for dress code.
For tickets, see events.
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Spring Cycle - Weekly Schedule
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Sunday, February 22, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO Winds Sectional: 3:00-4:30 PM
MPO Strings Sectional: 4:45-6:15 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, March 1, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: No Rehearsal
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Sunday, March 8, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, March 15, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, March 22, 2026
No Rehearsals (Spring Break)
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Sunday, March 29, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, April 5, 2026
No Rehearsals (Easter)
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Sunday, April 12, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO Winds Sectional: 3:00-4:30 PM
MPO Strings Sectional: 4:45-6:15 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, April 19, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, April 26, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, May 3, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Sunday, May 10, 2026
No Rehearsals (Mother's Day)
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Sunday, May 17, 2026 - ORR
MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM
MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM
MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM
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Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - HMC
Mandatory Dress Rehearsal
MSO: 4:00-5:00 PM
MPO: 5:15-7:45 PM
MCO: 8-8:45 PM
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TBC: Saturday, May 23, 2026 - ACH
2026 Season Finale: Annual Spring Concert
Soundchecks:
MCO: 12:15-12:45 PM
MSO: 12:45-1:15 PM
MPO: 1:15-2:15 PM
*Call time is at least 15 minutes before your soundcheck starts.*
See top of page for dress code.
Doors open: 2:30 PM
Concert starts: 3:00 PM
For tickets, see events.
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Contact​
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In case of an emergency, please contact Brian Hoffman (336-420-0764), Taka Matsunaga (847-809-4813), or Matthew Nowlan (630-347-7337).
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For general questions, please email info@midphil.org