A community orchestra founded in Oak Park 95 years ago is still filling concert halls in the western suburbs.
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, described by the Wednesday Journal as one of the oldest community orchestras in the United States, launched in October 1931. Founder Gladys Welge, an Oak Park resident, was a former child violin prodigy and assistant conductor of the Women's Symphony Orchestra of Chicago. That was a rare achievement at a time when women were excluded from most symphony orchestras.
The ensemble has upwards of 90 members, depending on repertoire, and performs five full-orchestra concerts each season at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest.
Much of the Symphony's staying power traces to Jay Friedman, an Oak Brook resident who has served as music director since 1995. He is only the fourth person to hold the post.
Friedman's résumé extends well beyond the western suburbs. He spent 63 years as a member and longtime principal trombonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), retiring in 2025. Chicago Classical Review reported that Friedman joined the CSO in 1962 as assistant principal trombone, appointed by Fritz Reiner, and was promoted to principal three years later by Jean Martinon. He also conducted ensembles including the Danish Radio Orchestra, the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Italy and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, according to the Wednesday Journal.
"To be music director for 31 years is to see the orchestra develop and carry on the excellent tradition of former music directors such as Milton Preves, Perry Crafton and our illustrious founder, Gladys Welge," Friedman said in the Wednesday Journal profile.
The Symphony has collected state orchestra awards, including Orchestra of the Year in 2011 and 2018. Friedman received Conductor of the Year honors in 2001, 2011 and 2017.
David Leehey, a longtime Oak Park resident and the Symphony's president since 2003, is a physician who is also an accomplished pianist and choral singer. He said he first got deeply involved after collaborating with Friedman on a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on Jan. 1, 2000, in Forest Park.
The centennial is the next target.
"I certainly plan to still be involved with the Symphony when we have our 100th anniversary in 2031," Leehey said.
The current season's remaining concerts include "Winter Dreams" on Dec. 13, 2026, featuring Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1, and "Bountiful Brahms" on Feb. 28, 2027. An April 11, 2027, concert titled "Echoes of Eternity" will feature Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The season closes June 6, 2027, with "Royalty," which includes a world première of a King Lear Suite by Groesch, according to the Symphony's season schedule.
Sunday concerts at Concordia University start at 4 p.m. with preconcert talks at 3 p.m. led by Leehey. Single tickets cost $30 in advance or $35 on concert day. Students through college attend free.
