Dear LCO friends and patrons:

There have been so many riches and rewards in my four years with the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. I want to thank all who have volunteered and those who have made financial contributions to help make the LCO a success. In particular I want to thank our board, under the inspired leadership of Dr. Gwen Leonard, and the indefatigable JP Bierly.

The LCO is an integral part of music in McMinnville and the surrounding region. Each year numerous Linfield students participate in this unique mentoring orchestra where professional players sit side by side with students, a training opportunity that is rare among regional orchestras. Linfield students also participate in our biennial concerto competition, and the LCO partner with the Linfield choral community to present a major choral/orchestral work each season. As a part of our outreach mission, we present annual concerts to 4th grade students of Yamhill County exposing them to the joys of live orchestra music.

I look forward to the coming season and a continued bright future for the Linfield Chamber Orchestra, as we continue to contribute to the cultural life of this beautiful community.

Michael Gesme

Michael Gesme is now in his fifth season as conductor of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra and his twelfth year as conductor and music director of the Central Oregon Symphony and Associate Professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College in Bend.

A Midwest native, Michael was born and raised in Illinois, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and a Masters of Music Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition to his work with the Central Oregon Symphony and Linfield Chamber Orchestra, Michael is the conductor for the Obsidian Opera company and the music director of the Obsidian Opera Chamber Orchestra. Michael has guest conducted numerous ensembles, including the Alton (IL) Symphony Orchestra, Columbia (MO) Civic Orchestra, Wenatchee (WA) Valley Symphony, Missouri Chamber Orchestra, and the Sunriver (OR) Music Festival Orchestra.

 Michael and his wife, Janet, are the proud parents of Alexander Daniel, age 10, and Zeta Pearl, age 9.

Linfield Chamber Orchestra Bull Music Center - Linfield College 900 SE Baker Street McMinnville, OR 97128-6894