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SEASON SCHEDULE

2025/26 Season Official Schedule

Last Revised 2/26/26

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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

  • Attendance will be taken upon arrival at each rehearsal via sign-in. It is the student's responsibility to sign-in at every rehearsal.

  • Students should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the posted rehearsal time.

  • Students are required to attend all rehearsals with the exception of 1 excused absence with a minimum 4 hour advanced notice per semester.

  • 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.

  • All unexcused absences will be investigated and result in termination of membership for the rest of the season. 

  • 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:

  • Perform under the leadership of professional musicians.

  • Develop lifelong musical skills through direct mentorship.

  • 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: 3:00-5:20 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 5 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: 2:30 PM

Concert starts: 3:00 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

CANCELED

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Sunday, March 1, 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 8, 2026 - ORR

In Our Hands Day 1: Intro​

Location: Midwest Conservatory of Music​

  • MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM

  • IOH Intro: 2:50-3:30 PM

Presentation by Phoenix Sustainability Initiative

(All MPO and MSO students)

  • MPO: 3:45-6:15 PM

  • MCO: No Rehearsal

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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 - HMC

In Our Hands Day 2: Workshops & Rehearsals​

Location: Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, Elmhurst University​

  • IOH Chamber Rehearsals: 12:30-2:00 PM

With Musicians of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago

(Select students only)​

  • IOH Workshops: 2:00-2:50 PM

With Phoenix Sustainability Initiative​

(All MPO and MSO students)

  • MSO: 3:00-4:30 PM (Room 18)

  • MPO: 3:00-5:30 PM (Stage)

  • MCO: 5:45-6:30 PM (Stage)

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Saturday, April 4, 2026 - HMC

In Our Hands Day 3: Final Rehearsals​

Location: Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, Elmhurst University​

  • MSO: 1:15-2:45 PM (Stage)

  • IOH Chamber Rehearsals: 1:30-2:45 PM

  • MPO: 3:00-4:00 PM (Stage)

Full Sharp (commissioned piece) with Musicians of Civic and Guests ​

  • MCO: No Rehearsal

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Sunday, April 12, 2026 - Symphony Center

In Our Hands Day 4: Concert Day​

Location: Grainger Ballroom, Chicago Symphony Center

Address: 220 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

(Parking recommended in Grant Park South Garage)

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-IMPORTANT-

All students must be escorted throughout the building; movement backstage is not authorized without a CSO staff escort, so please arrive on time. Please meet in the Michigan Ave lobby no later than your call time below:

  • Call time for chamber groups: 5:10 PM

  • Call time for MPO: 5:40 PM

  • Call time for MSO: 6:00 PM

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Warm-up/storage will take place in the Green Room in the Lower Level.

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Pizza will be served in the 2nd Floor Rotunda. Please be respectful to the CSO/Symphony Center; keep clean and do not litter.

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Soundchecks in Grainger Ballroom:

  • Chamber groups: 5:30-6:10 PM (order TBD, 10 min per group)

  • MPO: 6:10-6:40 PM

  • MSO: 6:45-7:00 PM

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Doors open: 7:00 PM

Concert starts: 7:30 PM

Free and open to the public with RSVP​

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Again, movement throughout the hall by students is not allowed without an escort. Restrooms will be easily accessible from the warm-up room.

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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

CANCELED

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Saturday, May 23, 2026 - ACH

Season Finale: "A Nation of Voices" (America 250)

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​

Season Structure
Ensembles
Venues
Dress Code
Attendance Policy
Fall Cycle Schedule
Concerto Cycle Schedule
Spring Cycle Schedule
Page Menu
Contact
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