The Illinois Council of Orchestras has announced that Conductor Kirk Muspratt is the recipient of its Award for Conductor of the Year for 2018 (Professional Orchestra Category).  Maestro Kirk Muspratt is Music Director and Conductor of the New Philharmonic Orchestra.   He was named Chicagoan of the year in Classical Music for 2009 by John von Rhein and the Chicago Tribune for making his concerts with the New Philharmonic Orchestra “enlightening and…fun”.

The New Philharmonic Orchestra was recipient of the Illinois Council of Orchestras Award for Professional Orchestra of the Year in 2017 and in 2009.  The ICO Award is issued annually to recognize excellence in the field of music performance and for support of musical organizations.