Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestras

SYSO History

The Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra (formerly known as the Chicago Heights Youth Symphony) was founded in 1972 and was sponsored by the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra. In 1985, the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra changed its name to Suburban Symphony Orchestra, and the youth orchestra became known as the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra. As the Chicago Heights Symphony orchestra, and at its demise as the Suburban Symphony Orchestra in 1987, this orchestra enjoyed over thirty years of musical history in the southern suburbs. Fortunately, its child, the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO), lives on.

History of the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra
(Taken from the 1983-84 Concert Season Program Book)

Entering its 30th season, the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra has been a distinct cultural asset to the south suburban community. This asset has been available for 30 successful seasons because of the dedication and untiring efforts of numerous musicians, symphony board members, and the unsung support of sponsors, patrons, and friends.

After early concerts in the Washington School auditorium, the orchestra moved to Bloom High School gymnasium on December 8, 1957, for the orchestra's first performance of Handel's "Messiah." The opening of the Bloom High School Auditorium in 1958 saw Jan Pierce, the first internationally known artist to appear with the orchestra. Except for the opening "pops" concerts in recent years, Bloom High School Auditorium has been the orchestra's home since 1958.

A highlight of the orchestra's history was a symphonic partnership for two seasons with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra-from 1966-69, which included several appearances by the Chicago group in Bloom Auditorium. Morton Gould was a guest conductor during this period.

Other internationally known soloists who have appeared with the Chicago Heights Orchestra have been Isaac Stern, Grigory Sokolov, Licia Albanese, Phyllis Curtin, Leonard Pennario, Ignor Gorln, and Dorothy Warenskjold.

The name most associated with the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra and its success is John Paris, its founder and sole conductor for the first nineteen seasons. Paris, a native of Chicago Heights and well-known music educator in this area since 1953, retired as conductor in 1973, handing over his baton to Robert Folsom, principal oboist in the orchestra. Folsom, director of bands at Bloom Trail High School, was director for two seasons. Conducting the orchestra from 1975-79 was Francis Akos, Assistant Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and director of the Chicago Strings.

For the 1979-81 seasons, James Murvihill directed the orchestra after laying down his baton as conductor for the Chicago Heights Youth Symphony. Today Frederick Kuester leads the orchestra into its third decade.

Always designed as a musical outlet for talented amateurs, the orchestra nevertheless has among its membership many who have played professionally as well as those who make their living teaching music.

By its second season, the symphony had added its annual Youth Opportunity Concert, featuring youthful soloists of all ages, selected by audition and accompanied by the orchestra. Many Youth Opportunity winners have gone on to careers in music.

The youth symphony, sponsored by the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra, provides orchestra playing experience and solo opportunities for young area musicians. The Youth Symphony, now in its ninth season, was founded and first conducted by Wilfred Hureau and Robert Slider, instrumental music directors in Crete-Monee schools. Other conductors have been Lloyd Scott, director of bands in the Matteson schools, and James Murvihill, director of orchestras for the Homewood public schools, Jeffrey Lindberg, principal trombonist and currently on leave, Robert Cross, music director at Rich East High School and Forest Trail Junior High School, and Peter Lipari, currently working towards his masters degree in orchestra conducting at Northwestern University. The Youth Symphony annually presents two concerts as part of the Chicago Heights Symphony season.

The Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra
from 1984 to 2004

During the 1985-86 season, Peter Lipari became Music Director/Conductor of the Suburban Symphony Orchestra in addition to maintaining his duties as Music Director/Conductor of the youth orchestra.

While the youth orchestra continued to grow musically and administratively (the Parents' Association was established to help oversee the administration of the orchestra), the Suburban Symphony Orchestra had to look at diminished audience numbers as well as decreases in financial support for the orchestra. Unable to resolve major funding difficulties, the Board of Directors reluctantly agreed in 1987 to disband the adult orchestra but resolved to continue its support of the SYSO in its attempt to continue independently.

With all efforts directed to the SYSO, the Board and Parents' Association undertook an intensive fund raising campaign, hired an Assistant Conductor, Maurice Wright, and increased concert performances from two concerts to four during each season beginning in 1987-1988.

In 1988, as recipient of the Rotary International Scholarship, Mr. Lipari was granted a year's sabbatical to study in England. Although he remained Music Director, Allan Dennis became conductor for the 1988-89 season.

In 1989, with the resignation of Peter Lipari, Stephen Alltop became the Music Director/Conductor. Mr. Alltop held this position until his resignation following the 1992-1993 season. At that time, Antoinette Arnold was named the Music Director/Conductor and James Fellenbaum the Assistant Conductor. In the fall of 1997, Ms. Arnold returned to school to pursue her doctorate degree and Mr. Fellenbaum was named the Acting Music Director. James Fellenbaum was named Music Director for the 1998-1999 season with his wife, Nora Carter Fellenbaum as Suburban Youth Strings Conductor. Also in 1998, Steven Ingle joined SYSO as Assistant Conductor. The SYSO Association established the Suburban Youth Brass, a brass and percussion ensemble that made its debut performance with the orchestras in November 1998.

Robert Cahoon, a former member of the SYSO, was appointed to the post of Music Director and Principal Conductor for the 1999 2000 season. In addition, Maryann Flock joined us as Conductor of the Suburban Youth Strings, and we also welcomed Andrew Hoefle as our Brass Clinician. In 2001, we welcomed back Steven Ingle as SYSO Music Director and Principal Conductor and Maryann Flock as SYSO Assistant Conductor, Conductor of the Suburban Youth Philharmonia, and Conductor of the Suburban Youth Strings.