Dear LCO friends and patrons:
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2011-2012 season of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. Coming off of the incredible experience of presenting a Libby Larsen world premiere during our twentieth anniversary season, we are excited to launch into our next twenty years with a diverse collection of old and new. I love working with this orchestra for so many reasons, not the least of which is the dedicated camaraderie of the musicians, both professionals and students. Our mission of providing a mentoring experience for aspiring young musicians attending Linfield College continues to inspire me as we train the next generation of orchestral players.
Like most orchestras, our existence is determined by the desire of a community to hear and support live music. We have been faithfully sustained by generous individuals and businesses and, of course, Linfield College—all valued members of the LCO family.
Please share your passion for the LCO with your friends and neighbors. We would love to extend our family circle and share the enchantment of live orchestral concerts with an ever wider audience.
Thank you for your continued support and enjoy the season.
Michael Gesme
Meet our conductor
Michael Gesme is now in his eighth season as conductor of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra and his fourteenth year as conductor and music director of the Central Oregon Symphony and Associate Professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College in Bend.
A Midwest native, Michael was born and raised in Illinois, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and a Masters of Music Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition to his work with the Central Oregon Symphony and Linfield Chamber Orchestra, Michael is the conductor for the Obsidian Opera company and the music director of the Obsidian Opera Chamber Orchestra. Michael has guest conducted numerous ensembles, including the Alton (IL) Symphony Orchestra, Columbia (MO) Civic Orchestra, Wenatchee (WA) Valley Symphony, Missouri Chamber Orchestra, and the Sunriver (OR) Music Festival Orchestra.
Michael and his wife, Janet, are the proud parents of Alexander Daniel, age 12, and Zeta Pearl, age 11.