2026/27 Season Official Schedule

Last Revised 8/2/26

​

Season Structure:

FA26 Fall Cycle: September~November (Fall Concert)

SC27 Symphony Center Cycle: January~March (Symphony Center Concert)

SP27 Spring Cycle: March~May (Spring Concert)

​

Ensembles

MSO: Midwest String Orchestra

MPO: Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra

​

Venues

ORR: Room 041, Irion Hall, Elmhurst University

Address: 190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL

HMC: Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, Elmhurst University

Address: 190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL

BRH: Buik Recital Hall (Irion Hall, Elmhurst University)

Address: 190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL

CSC: Orchestra Hall at Chicago Symphony Center

Address: 220 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

​​​

Concert Dress

Black suit/tux, white dress shirt, black bowtie, black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes

OR

Gender neutral all-black concert attire (black dress, black jumpsuit, etc.)

​

Attendance Policy

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

• All members must arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the posted rehearsal time.

• Members are required to attend all rehearsals with the exception of 1 excused absence with a minimum 12 hour advanced notice per concert cycle.

• A second excused absence will be based on the music director's discretion. Any other excused absences may result in termination of membership for the rest of the season.

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

• Attendance for all dress rehearsals, soundchecks, and concerts are absolutely mandatory for all members. Members absent from any dress rehearsal or soundcheck will not be able to participate in the concert. An unexcused absence from a concert will result in termination for the rest of the season and may result in being billed for the cost of a substitute musician. (~$300)

​

Absence Request Policy

• All absence and late arrival requests must be submitted at least 12 hours in advance on the form below.

• Requests submitted with less than 12 hours' notice may be recorded as unexcused absences.

• An absence is considered excused only if it is submitted through the form below and approved by an MPO staff member.

• Unforeseen absences, such as illness or family emergencies, should be communicated by email to your Music Director, with info@midphil.org copied on the message.

• If you have any questions regarding attendance, please contact Grace Valentine, Orchestra Manager and/or Matthew Nowlan, Executive Director.

• https://forms.gle/GQYjQoarXtViHJdHA​

Contact​

(Please do not circulate contact information)

• Matthew Nowlan, Executive Director (For general inquiries)

  • info@midphil.org​

• Taka Matsunaga, MPO Music Director ​

  • takaviolin@gmail.com​

• Grace Valentine, Orchestra Manager/MSO Music Director

  • gmvalentine.music@gmail.com​

• In case of an emergency, please contact Matthew Nowlan (630-347-7337) or Taka Matsunaga (847-809-4813)

​​

​

*Times marked with an asterisk (*) indicate exceptions to the regular rehearsal schedule.​

See top of page for venue legend.