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.

Eckerling's journey in music began at a young age in Skokie, Illinois, where he started piano lessons at Northwestern University's Primary Piano Department. He pursued his passion for music at Indiana University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's degree in Orchestral and Opera Conducting.

Before his tenure with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra, Eckerling served as the Music Director and Conductor of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra in Minnesota from 1986 to 2002. He also held positions as Assistant Conductor of the Omaha Symphony and Music Director of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras.

One of his roles is presenting pre-concert lectures in the “Musical Insights” Series for the ESO, which involves not only talking about the works, and often involves performances at the piano with the featured guest artists for the upcoming concerts.

He has also been a teacher in music theory, ear training, and conducting adult orchestral ensembles in both orchestra and chamber music.

In addition to his work with the ESO. He is an active pianist, performing in both chamber music settings and in the pop/rock/jazz fields. Eckerling's versatility as a musician is evident in his performances, including his role as both conductor and pianist in Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" on the CD "Evanston Symphony Live!"

Eckerling's innovative programming and commitment to community engagement have earned him the respect and admiration of musicians, board members, and audiences alike. He resides in Glenview, Illinois, with his wife, Sharon.

Read more about Lawrence Eckerling at www.eckerlingconductor.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.