Welcome to the IPO’S 48^th season as a professional orchestra. We are delighted you have joined us for a magnificent array of programming and exceptional performances under the baton of Maestro Stilian Kirov. Maestro Kirov says the season, “offers a great balance of music, both complicated and beautiful.”

Our season begins with an evening of all Beethoven. Maestro Kirov and the orchestra will share the powerful “da-da-da-Dum” opening motif in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The opening motif is so compelling, it was adopted as the “V for Victory” symbol by the Allied forces during World War II. 

In November, we bring back John Williams and perform E.T. Adventures on Earth. The concert will take you on a journey to outer space with Star Trek Through The Years and Holst’s The Planets. You won’t want to miss the video accompaniment with visuals by Adrian Wyard. Last year, Williams’ Star Wars and More concert was a sellout, so hurry and get your tickets now.

In December, you must hear Maestro Kirov in collaboration with Dr. Keith Hampton conducting the IPO Orchestra and the Chicago Community Chorus in a festive performance that will brighten your holiday season.

The IPO will kickoff 2026 with a special Valentine’s Day concert featuring female composers Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann, as well as Richard Schumann. Why not celebrate the love in your life by spending an evening with world-renowned pianist, Anastaysia Poff, wife of Maestro Kirov, as she performs with the IPO?

In March, we welcome in spring with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Dvorak’s Serenade in E major op. 22 followed by the IPO premiere of Legendary Music of the Movies. This concert will definitely be a “close encounter” of the epic proportion.

We end the season by celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with pieces by Copland, Montgomery, Sousa and Tower. The evening’s music is sure to rouse that feeling of patriotism in your soul.

We are grateful for you, our patrons and donors. Your enthusiasm and generosity allow the IPO to inspire the people and communities of Chicago’s Southland. 

I look forward to seeing you at many of the concerts this 2025-26 season. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Karen Hoag,
IPO Board President

Karen Hoag
President

Barbara Sturges
Immediate Past President

Steve Winger
Vice President

Richard Davis
Treasurer

Patricia Barker 
Secretary

Charles Amenta, M.D.
Janice Barry
Sharon Bean
Cheri Boublis
Sam Brown
Joey Buck
Christie Lynn Buralli
Timothy J. Coburn
Christine Cochrane
William Donne
Billie Hauser
Andrea Hetzel
William E. Hofmann
Corinne Hwang
Steven Murphy
Don Ransford
Dr. Michael Rogers
Donnell Schwarz
Terri Winfree, Ph.D.

Stan* and Lois Birer
Frank Corral
Richard and Andrea Gibb
Craig C. Grannon
Jerri E. Greer, Ph.D.
Stacy Holland
Daniel G. Kaplan
William J. Kiehl
Dory Machtinger
Anne Michuda*
Mel Muchnik, Ph.D.
Don Ransford
Carolee Samuels
Audrey Sander*
Helen Silvia*
Marilynn Tannebaum
Lawrence A. Wyllie, Ed.D.

*Remembered

Pat Greenawalt
Paul Greenawalt
Michelle Nelson

Henry Fogel

Pam McDonald
Membership

Joey Buck
Fashion Show

Ellen Davis
Andrea Hetzel
Maryellen Tomassetti
Rising Star Showcase