our mission
Ars Viva was incorporated December 28, 1995 with the following mission:
“Ars Viva is a musical organization committed to performances characterized by variety and uncompromising standards of artistic excellence with special outreach to the elderly, the disadvantaged and the physically challenged.”
In the years that have followed, Ars Viva has consistently met its goals.
Variety
Our commitment to variety is embodied in our name. Ars Viva: something old and something new, something tested and true from the treasures of musical art (Ars), juxtaposed with fresh creative statements of living composers (Viva). Our seasons have featured works from the standard orchestral repertoire side by side with new and interesting contemporary music — all to critical acclaim in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Pioneer Press:
“Heatherington can be counted on for two things: performances of high technical quality and evenings that combine the familiar and the unfamiliar effectively. Perhaps no local conductor puts together more interestingly varied concerts than Alan Heatherington” — John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune
Artistic Excellence
Excellence is the hallmark of Ars Viva. The core members of the Orchestra are musicians from the Chicago Symphony. The combination of a great conductor and these exceptionally gifted musicians accounts for the meteoric rise in popularity of this orchestra which can proudly take its place along side such well-known orchestras as the Academy of St. Martin in the Field, The English Chamber Orchestra, the European Chamber Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Outreach
Ars Viva is committed to reaching out to underserved communities - both young and old, able-bodied and the physically challenged. We have instituted youth initiatives to bring young people to the concert hall and we have an annual Young Artist Showcase concert that features the winner of the Steinway Concerto Competition on an Ars Viva subscription concert. We perform annually at facilities for non-ambulatory senior citizens throughout the Chicago area. Visit our outreach section
In 2003, Ars Viva was selected by the Illinois Council of Orchestras as Orchestra of the Year. Special mention was made at the awards ceremony of Maestro Heatherington’s informative comments from the stage before each piece, which create an atmosphere of excitement and true enjoyment for the audience. In 2004, Maestro Heatherington was named a Chicagoan of the Year by the Chicago Tribune and in 2005 he was named Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.