Samuel Magad, founder and first music director of the Northbrook Symphony, 1932-2026.
Samuel Magad in 1999. Photo: Larry Kane for the Northbrook Symphony.
May 27, 2026
Northbrook, IL – The Northbrook Symphony mourns the loss of its Founder and first Music Director, Samuel Magad, who died in Buffalo Grove on Monday. He was 94.
Maestro Magad was Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he founded the Northbrook Symphony as a community orchestra in 1980 and stayed as Music Director until 2001. During his tenure, the Northbrook Symphony was named 1997 Orchestra of the Year and Magad himself was named 1998 Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. In 2000 he was inducted into the North Shore Walk of Fame in Skokie in recognition of his accomplishments as a violinist and conductor.
“All of us at the Northbrook Symphony are proud to carry on the great tradition Sam started almost 50 years ago in bringing great symphonic works to North Shore audiences,” says Northbrook Symphony President Steven Greene. “We dedicate Sunday’s concert in Sam’s memory.”
“The passing of Samuel Magad marks the loss of a remarkable musician, visionary, and cultural leader,” says Mina Zikri, the third and current Music Director of the Northbrook Symphony. “Through his artistry and dedication, he created not only an orchestra in Northbrook, but a lasting cultural institution that has enriched generations of audiences and musicians in the North Shore community.”
Continues Maestro Zikri, “I feel deeply the responsibility and privilege of carrying forward the artistic spirit, integrity, and sense of community he believed in so passionately. His legacy reminds us that music, at its best, is a bridge between generations, and that the impact of one devoted artist can resonate far beyond a lifetime.”
“Sam seemed to be having fun out at the helm of the group rather than seated at the head of the violin section,” says clarinetist Joyce Stenzel, who joined the Northbrook Symphony in 1998. “He brought that enthusiasm and enjoyment to the group, and we were able to jump on board with that. He had immense musical experience, a great connection with the community and a great audience following.”
Samuel Magad in the 1990s. Photo: Jim Steere courtesy of the Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.
Samuel Magad was born in Chicago on May 14, 1932. He made his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut at the age of 11 as the winner of the CSO Youth Auditions, performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. He later earned a bachelor’s degree at DePaul University and served in in the US Army Orchestra in Washington DC.
Magad joined the CSO’s first violin section in 1958 and was promoted to assistant concertmaster in 1966. In 1972 Sir Georg Solti appointed him Concertmaster, and Magad made his CSO subscription debut as soloist later that year with Mozart’s “Turkish” Concerto.
During Magad’s 35 years as Concertmaster, he also performed concertos by Bartók, Beethoven, Berg, Brahms, Bruch, Haydn, Korngold, Mendelssohn, Panufnik, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Vivaldi, among others. He also performed in countless chamber music concerts, appearing with his CSO colleagues as well as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Daniel Barenboim, Maxim Vengerov and Mstislav Rostropovich. As concertmaster, Magad can be heard as soloist on several CSO recordings, including Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben and Also sprach Zarathustra, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Beethoven’s Missa solemnis.
Among Magad’s numerous awards was a Governor’s Award from the Recording Academy for a lifetime of outstanding service to the art of music. In June 2010, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters from DePaul University, and in May 2017, he was awarded DePaul’s Pro Musica Award, “in recognition of extraordinary contributions to music and the arts.”
At the time of his retirement from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2007, Magad said, “I was very lucky to have had this position and to have held it for so long. It’s been a wonderful ride.”
Samuel Magad’s beloved wife Miriam preceded him in death on February 25, 2026, after a marriage of more than 71 years. He is survived by his daughters Debra Magad (Daniel Kaplan) and Carlen (Jonathan) Mines; grandchildren Jared, Michael, Greg and Kayla; and great-grandchildren Leo, Devon, Layla and Blair.
Shiva and services will be held at Chicago Jewish Funerals at 8851 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29. The service will be livestreamed on the Chicago Jewish Funerals website. Interment will be private.
The Northbrook Symphony dedicates “Romantic Essentials,” the finale concert of the orchestra’s 46th season on Sunday, May 31, to Sam’s memory. More information is available at northbrooksymphony.org.
The Northbrook Symphony acknowledges the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association Rosenthal Archives for assistance with preparing this tribute.
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More about Maestro Magad:
Remembering Samuel Magad (Frank Villella, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association Rosenthal Archives)
Samuel Magad, an ‘impeccable’ violinist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 48 years, dies (Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times)
Funeral Details – Samuel Magad (Chicago Jewish Funerals)
Samuel Magad conducting the Northbrook Symphony in 1995. Photos: Larry Kane for the Northbrook Symphony.