Seventeen seasons ago, Trevor Orthmann arrived as the Executive Director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra with a passion for programming and a chef's instinct for balance. Today, he still thinks of season-building as a puzzle — one where standard repertoire, lesser-known gems, and new works all have to fit together into something audiences will love. “It’s a big puzzle,” he says, describing the careful calibration required to maximize the talents of ISO musicians while keeping every program engaging and accessible.
Working closely with Music Director Taichi Fukumura, Orthmann helps shape each season’s artistic direction from the ground up. That collaborative approach has helped fuel some of the orchestra’s most memorable moments in recent years — from the return of the Youth Orchestra to landmark performances like the Lincoln Funeral Train concert and an immersive event staged at the historic Pillsbury Mills site just before it was demolished. “It’s those moments that remind me why we do this — how music brings people together,” Orthmann says.
Away from the concert hall, Orthmann channels that same creativity into the kitchen and the garden. He credits his grandmother with instilling both passions in him early in life, teaching him to cook and to grow things with care. “She instilled in me a pride in creating something beautiful with my own hands,” he says. These days that pride shows up in elaborate chocolate mousse cakes and backyard beds of flowers and vegetables, tended with the same discipline he brings to his work at the ISO.
Looking ahead, Orthmann remains focused on making sure the Symphony keeps pace with the community it serves. “We must continue creating meaningful, engaging, and relevant musical experiences for everyone — from young children to long-time patrons,” he says. Whether he’s shaping a symphonic season or baking a dessert from scratch, Trevor Orthmann brings the same blend of artistry and heart to everything he does.
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