“FREEDOM!” — A Powerful Musical Journey by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra proudly announces its upcoming concert, FREEDOM!, an inspiring and emotionally charged program taking place on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM at The Auditorium at Forest View, 2121 South Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL.

This dynamic performance will move and inspire you in this dramatic set of five composers' works.

Under the direction of Tim Semanik, FREEDOM! invites audiences to experience music that speaks across cultures and generations—music that challenges, uplifts, and ultimately celebrates the enduring spirit of humanity.

A Program of Courage, Resilience, and Triumph

The concert features a powerful lineup of works that illuminate the many faces of freedom:

• Jean Sibelius: Finlandia - A stirring national hymn of resistance and unity, Finlandia surges with strength and determination—an anthem for people rising together in the face of oppression.
• Margaret Bonds / Paul R. Cooper: The Montgomery Variations - A rarely performed masterpiece rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, this work transforms spirituals into a symphonic narrative of struggle, sorrow, and unbreakable resolve.
• Giuseppe Verdi: “Va, pensiero” from Nabucco - One of opera’s most beloved choruses, this moving meditation on the themes of exile and longing has become a universal symbol of hope and national identity.
• Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait - A quintessential American work featuring guest narrator Patrick Zielinski—accomplished actor, director, and Theatre Lab Coordinating Producer for District 214 Community Education. This stirring piece combines sweeping orchestral writing with spoken narration drawn from Abraham Lincoln’s own words—an evocative reminder of leadership, justice, and the promise of a more perfect union.
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3 - Beethoven’s dramatic and triumphant overture to his opera Fidelio, celebrating courage, moral conviction, and the triumph of freedom over tyranny.

Together, these works create a concert experience that is both deeply reflective and electrifying—an artistic journey that resonates powerfully in today’s world.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Afternoon

This performance promises to be one of the most meaningful and moving concerts of the season. Whether you are a longtime supporter of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra or discovering us for the first time, FREEDOM! offers a rare opportunity to experience music that speaks to the heart and stirs the soul.

Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 seniors (65+), $10 students with ID. Children under 14 attend free with a ticketed adult. Tickets are available at the door, online at www.northwestsymphony.org, or by phone at 847-965-7271.

This concert is presented in partnership with District 214 Community Education. NSO gratefully acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the CME Group Foundation.

Join Us

Don’t miss this rare chance to experience music that lifts the spirit and speaks directly to our shared humanity. Join us for an afternoon that promises to move you, challenge you, and leave you inspired long after the final note. Secure your seats now and be part of a concert that truly matters.