Dear LCO friends and patrons:

Welcome to the 2008-2009 season of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. It is my great pleasure to work with this fine group of musicians and perform music in the amazing orchestral tradition. This season's repertoire will span nearly 250 years of history, covering all major style periods—some composers and works will be familiar, perhaps others will be new to you. Highlights include our annual combined concert with the Linfield Choirs and student soloists, this year performing Bach’s Magnificat in December, and our LCO concerto competition concert featuring winners who will appear with the LCO in our April concert. I look forward to seeing you at the concerts and sharing the joy that is live orchestral music.

Michael Gesme

Meet our conductor

Michael Gesme is now in his sixth season as conductor of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra and his thirteenth 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 11, and Zeta Pearl, age 10.

Linfield Chamber Orchestra Bull Music Center - Linfield College 900 SE Baker Street McMinnville, OR 97128-6894