Music Director & Orchestra Personnel

Lawrence Eckerling

Conductor / Music Director

Lawrence Eckerling is a distinguished conductor and music director, serving as the Music Director of the Evanston Symphony Orchestra (ESO) since 2003. With a career spanning over two decades at the ESO, Eckerling has been instrumental in the orchestra’s artistic growth and success. He was honored as the Illinois Conductor of the Year (Community Orchestras) by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in both 2007 and 2014.

Lawrence Eckerling is a conductor known for his musical insight, versatility, clarity and a collaborative approach that brings out the best in orchestras of all levels.

In addition to the standard orchestral repertoire, Eckerling is equally comfortable in new music, often participating in consortiums which provide new works in multiple ­performances throughout the United States and beyond. He also enjoys conducting pops concerts that might include pop, jazz, and rock elements in them. And he has conducted many works for choir with orchestra such as Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Mahler’s 2nd Symphony, or Brahms’ German Requiem.

One of Eckerling’s passions is programming for orchestra subscription seasons. He enjoys evaluating what an audience wants to hear, what an orchestra would like to play, and combining those elements into a diverse, varied, and rewarding season.

Prior to his tenure in Evanston, Eckerling was Music Director and Conductor of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra in Minnesota from 1986 to 2002.

Earlier appointments include Assistant Conductor of the Omaha Symphony and Music Director of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, experiences that helped shape his ­commitment to education, preparation, and clear musical communication.

Eckerling holds degrees in Music Education and Orchestral and Opera Conducting from Indiana University, and began his musical training as a pianist in Northwestern University’s Primary Piano Department. In addition to his work on the podium, he remains an active pianist, performing in chamber music as well as in pop, rock, and jazz settings. His ­versatility as a musician is reflected in performances such as serving as both conductor and pianist for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue on the recording Evanston Symphony Live!

Read more about Lawrence Eckerling at lawrenceeckerling.com.

Behind the black ties

Behind those black ties and black skirts are your friends and neighbors, your co-workers, your acquaintances. These are people you see in the community, perhaps on a daily basis, who volunteer their time to make beautiful music together as the Evanston Symphony Orchestra performing world-class music right here in Evanston. On five Sunday afternoons a season, they transform themselves from their chosen professions into talented musicians sharing their love of music with you, their audience.