Illinois Council of Orchestras Annual Awards
2026 ICO Award Winners Announced
The Illinois Council of Orchestras is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its annual awards for excellence in the field of music performance and for support of musical organizations. An awards panel that included judges from the Illinois Council of Orchestras Board of Directors and from independent arts organizations reviewed nominations representing orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles from throughout Illinois.
2026 Winners
Orchestra of the Year (Professional): Chicago Philharmonic
Orchestra of the Year (Community): Lake Forest Civic Orchestra
Orchestra of the Year (Youth): Encore Music Academy Youth Orchestra
Conductor of the Year (Professional): Stilian Kirov, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor of the Year (Community): Gregory Hughes, Lakeview Orchestra
Volunteer of the Year: Kathryn Macal, West Suburban Symphony Society
Executive Director of the Year: Tim Corpus, Hyde Park Youth Symphony
Musician of the Year: Richard Zili, Lakeview Orchestra
Programming of the Year: Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Guild of the Year: MYAC Building Committee, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory
Awards History
2025 Award Winners
Board President of the Year: Lindsay Brown, Lakeview Orchestra
Community Relations of the Year: Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
Conductor of the Year (Community): Russell Vinick, Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra
Conductor of the Year (Professional): Chad Goodman, Elgin Symphony Orchestra
Executive Director of the Year: Robert Pileckis, Schaumburg Youth Orchestra
Orchestra of the Year (Chamber Orchestra): Artemis Chamber Orchestra
Orchestra of the Year (Community Orchestra): Lakeview Orchestra
Orchestra of the Year (Youth Orchestra): Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra of the Year (Professional Orchestra): Elgin Symphony
Orchestra Programming of the Year: Chicago Philharmonic
Volunteer of the Year: Cheryl Flinn, Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest
Guild of the Year: Illinois Symphony Orchestra Guild
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