Meet us where a woman paved the way to the symphony
The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest is one of the nation's oldest community orchestras. Founded by musician and former child violin prodigy Gladys Welge, who started conducting in 1931.
Welge was already known for teaching music in the area, having founded the Welge School of Music alongside her brother Vernon, when she was just 17.
After graduating from the Chicago Musical College, Gladys was offered a position in the Women’s Symphony Orchestra of Chicago, so named because women were not permitted to audition to play with men.
Women conductors were a rarity.
The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest performed its first concert in 1933 with a group of talented musicians who came for the specific purpose of playing with Gladys Welge.
The history of community and beautiful musical performance lives on in the work of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest today!
The Symphony hosts performances for an annual concert series. Please check the website for specific events.
Costs vary depending on the performance or event.
The musicians at the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest feel like family to one another. Many have performed with each other for decades.
That same sense of family is extended to those in the audience. You will feel the warmth of friendship when you attend a performance here!
Performances take place at Concordia University’s Chapel in River Forest. Free parking is located at 1124 North Bonnie Brae Place.
