Ron Arden

Ron studied conducting with Thomas Bricetti, music director of the Omaha Symphony, while playing viola with the orchestra. He moved quickly to musical theater and church conducting, leading both instrumental and choral ensembles. Moving to Houston he continued vibrant podium leadership in several churches there specializing in sacred literature. In 1998 he relocated to the north shore of Chicago at Christ Community Church and as part of the ministry there, led the Zion Chamber Orchestra. Audiences grew from a few hundred to a regular thousand in his years there and attracted volunteers and professionals to its roster. The ZCO played sacred, classical, and pops music masterworks - specializing in education and community outreach.

 

In 2004 Ron found, as conductor and artistic director, The Lake County Symphony Orchestra. The LCSO was the first orchestra invited to the renovated Genesee Theater in Waukegan to accompany national artists there. It was a self-run professional orchestra boasting a roster of players from Milwaukee to Chicago and specializing in fostering students and non-professionals in a high-quality orchestral environment. In 21 seasons Ron led the orchestra through astounding avenues of growth in the genres of classical, pop, gospel, Broadway, Hollywood, and jazz. He fostered partnerships with soloists and choral ensembles across the region.

 

Maestro Arden was music director/conductor of the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra in Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, Il. From 2007-14.  In his 7 seasons with the LFCO audiences grew, orchestra members increased, and the overall life of the orchestra was greatly rejuvenated. With both the Lake County Symphony Orchestra and the LFCO, Ron has celebrated the gifts of local artists and partnerships with student ensembles and churches. In these celebrations he has been and continues to be an ambassador for music making that enlivens and educates the lives of others.

 

In the fall of 2025 the maestro has launched "Orchestra Revivo" - Music that lives again. Maintaining the highest standard of excellence and musical creativity, OR is destined to serve, accompany, and be featured on stage as a musical force under the superb vision of Maestro Arden. Believing in keeping music alive and vibrant in northern Illinois, Ron continues to create opportunities for musicians and audiences alike that foster musical enrichment.