Dear LCO friends and patrons:

Welcome to the 2009-2010 season of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. The LCO is a vital part of the arts scene in McMinnville and the surrounding community. We are not only a place to hear great classical music, but also a place to celebrate our community and empower our children through music education. The LCO showcases the talents of professional musicians and gifted student apprentices and a strong connection and collaboration with the Linfield College Music Department.

At the October concert we will spotlight singers from the Linfield Music Department with excerpts from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. In December, we will present Schubert’s Mass in G major. Works from Cherubini to Copland round out the year, an infinite world of musical beauty. I invite you to join us for this great season of live classical music, and  I encourage you to bring your family and tell your friends. I look forward to seeing you at the concerts.

Michael Gesme

Meet our conductor

Michael Gesme is now in his sixth season as conductor of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra and his thirteenth 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 11, and Zeta Pearl, age 10.

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