News

After five years of service to the School of Theatre and Music at UIC, conductor and educator Timothy Fawkes will conclude his role with the UIC Orchestra at the end of this academic year. He joined in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the ensemble was a 19-member, strings-only group. Under his leadership, it has grown into a full orchestra of 75–80 students each semester—now including strings, winds, and percussion. Alongside growth, Fawkes has emphasized accessibility and inclusion, shaping the ensemble into a space where students from across campus—engineers, pre-med students, music majors, and many others—can come together to make music at a high level.

During his tenure, Fawkes led the orchestra in several significant artistic projects. Highlights include: the ensemble’s first-ever performance at the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), featuring a program of works by African American Chicago composers; as well as a major collaboration with UIC Choirs on Mozart’s Requiem, a shared concert in Spring 2025 that drew an audience of over 800. In reflecting on this performance, Fawkes says “Liza (Calisesi-Maidens, Director of Choral Activities) and I discussed collaborating on a lot of different pieces. We arrived at Mozart's Requiem as we thought it could be a real landmark for us. It's a piece that a lot of people know. It's considered a masterpiece for good reason. It's challenging, it's long, but we thought—we're ready to perform something like this at this level of difficulty and sophistication, and it can be a great experience for our students.”

In addition to increasing visibility on campus and throughout the city, Fawkes has played a key role in expanding UIC’s youth programming efforts. In 2022, he developed and launched the UIC Orchestra Invitational, which brought high school orchestras to campus for concerts, side-by-side rehearsals, and tours. That initiative later evolved into the 2025 UIC Honors Orchestra Festival. The inaugural festival welcomed 70 students from 12 area schools for a one-day orchestra experience culminating in a joint performance with the UIC Orchestra. Several students who first visited through these programs are now members of the UIC Orchestra, including the ensemble’s current concertmaster.

Outside of UIC, Fawkes has taught at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Illinois, for 17 years—directing the orchestra program, teaching guitar, assisting with band, and leading a Latin music ensemble. His experience as a secondary music educator has been especially meaningful as UIC’s Music Education program continues to grow and welcome future artist-teachers.

UIC Head of Music Dr. Brent Talbot reflected on Fawkes’ impact:

"What makes Prof. Fawkes' work so extraordinary is not just the music the orchestra produces, but the community he has built. In just five years, he has transformed the ensemble into a vibrant, inclusive space where students feel seen, challenged, and inspired. His culturally responsive approach has broadened both the repertoire and the sense of belonging within the group, while his innovative programming and tireless advocacy have led to remarkable growth in enrollment. Being selected to perform at the state music education conference is a testament to the ensemble’s excellence—but those of us who work alongside him know that the true achievement is the care, generosity, and vision he brings to students every single day. He is, quite simply, a remarkable educator and human being."

When asked what he hopes students will take with them, Fawkes doesn’t talk about specific pieces or performances. Instead, he talks about a lifelong relationship with music—students who leave UIC as confident, thoughtful, and joyful musicians, no matter what careers they pursue.

As he looks ahead to his final concert with the orchestra on April 28, Tim has been clear with his students: the strength of the program is in them.

We thank Timothy Fawkes for his dedication, artistry, and the care he has shown UIC students during his years of service to the School of Theatre and Music. We wish him the very best as he continues his work as a teacher, conductor, and advocate for inclusive music-making.