ABOUT US

Based in Schaumburg, IL, MPO offers orchestral training to beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.

Midwest String Orchestra

Preparatory orchestra for beginners and intermediate-level string musicians. MSO introduces the foundation of orchestral training and importance of collaboration among musicians.

Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra

Symphony orchestra for intermediate and advanced strings, winds, and percussion students.

Repertoire is selected from a wide range of mature, high-level pieces that require personal attention and self-discipline in each musician.

Midwest Chamber Orchestra (Formerly "Core")

Chamber orchestra that includes the most advanced players of MPO. Performing pieces for symphonies of smaller scale, MCO focuses on individual preparedness and the clarity of the ensemble as a whole to produce the top quality of music-making possible as students.

MPO is a proud recipient of the 2019 American Prize in Orchestral Performance.

MPO Music Director, Taka Matsunaga, has recently been selected by the Illinois Council of Orchestras as the 2021 Conductor of the Year. He is also a winner of the 2019 American Prize in Conducting.

Since 2007, the MPO has been striving to provide high-quality music education to the students of the suburbs of Chicago. We have recently committed to expanding our educational outreach to more students in the suburbs of Chicago, in order to bring awareness to music education and the importance of youth performing arts organizations like us.

Our Motto:

OUR ENSEMBLES

COLLABORATE - We want students of all ages and levels to collaborate together in not only making great music but also making memories that last a lifetime.

INSPIRE - We want our students to take those memories and experiences from music making and inspire future generations to continue the legacy of youth music programs, which are vital to the development of children and the communities in which they reside.

ACHIEVE - Like any youth music program, we want our students to achieve great things in life. Through collaborating together and building a musical community based on inclusion, we will be able to achieve a better future for everyone.

Our Staff