Timothy Corpus is the new executive director of the Lake Forest Symphony.
Q. How did you get interested in classical music?
A. I grew up playing in the elementary school band. I continued in high school and got my bachelor’s degree in performance as a percussionist. I really enjoyed composing so I did a master’s in composing.
Q. Your professional background is a mix of performing and administration. How did that evolve?
A. I began teaching marching bands at summer camps during my freshman year of college. I taught at Richard J. Daley College as well as the drum line at Loyola. As a composer, I was kind of running my own business. From that I worked as a production manager. I knew how to run a soundboard and work on stage. Then I was managing a stage and marketing for a stage and it just kind of grew.
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Q. What are your main responsibilities as executive director of the Lake Forest Symphony?
A. It’s similar to the CEO of any company. The big picture thinking that guides the marketing and development.
Q. What do most people not know about running a symphony?
A. It takes a lot of people to put on a concert.
Q. The Lake Forest Symphony mostly performs in Grayslake. Has there been any effort to find a performance space in Lake Forest?
A. We have a salon series at Gorton Community Center. We’re also doing two orchestra concerts at Lake Forest Academy.
Q. What are the challenges facing Lake Forest Symphony?
A. With all orchestras, we are working on how we update our image. How do we stay relevant to the millennials and Gen-Xers?
Q. Is the symphony doing anything special for its 60th anniversary?
A. We have a newly designed program book showing the history of the orchestra for the last 60 years. We’ll have a 60th anniversary gala. We’re also doing videos to get the concerts, musicians and staff.
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