Plymouth Place welcomes Maestro Stilian Kirov as an Artist-In-Residence

At Plymouth Place, we believe the arts are essential to a vibrant life. Our Artist-in-Residence Program invites exceptional musicians and artists from around the world to live among us — sharing their gifts and forging meaningful connections.

This May we welcomed Maestro Stilian Kirov, an award-winning conductor and Gibb Music Director of the acclaimed Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra – a cultural cornerstone of Chicago’s Southland for nearly 70 years.

Maestro Stilian Kirov,
Gibb Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.

“So many of our residents have taught or participated in the performing arts and are huge supporters,” said Cheri Boublis, Senior Director of Hospitality at Plymouth Place. “This is an exciting opportunity for them to meet Stilian, talk about his life and learn that the future of music is in good hands.”

A Program with Purpose

Plymouth Place’s Artist-in-Residence Program offers musicians an immersive experience—inviting them to live within our vibrant senior living community, share their stories and become part of daily life. During his stay, Stilian interacted with residents in both formal and informal ways: through conversations, shared meals and, of course, music.

Plymouth Place also hosted a cocktail reception in Stilian’s honor on May 15th for over 120 residents and invited guests. A live performance by an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra quartet set the tone as everyone mixed and mingled.

Photo by Brian Lipchik Photography.

“I’ve never had an artist residency quite like this—where I actually stayed and lived among the community,” said Stilian. “I absolutely fell in love with Plymouth Place last fall when I attended a luncheon here. I immediately thought, ‘this is where I want to retire.’ It felt like home. So, to be able to come here as a working artist has been a beautiful gift.”

A quartet from the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra set the tone for a remarkable evening.

About Stilian Kirov

Stilian’s stay at Plymouth Place coincides with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s season finale. A dynamic force on the podium, Stilian has led symphonies across the U.S. and internationally. As Music Director of the IPO since 2017, he has championed both classical works and contemporary compositions. He also serves as Music Director of the Bakersfield Symphony in California and the Interim Artistic Advisor for the Southwest Florida Symphony.

Stilian’s path to the stage has been a global journey, including training at Juilliard and serving as assistant conductor with the Seattle Symphony. Highlights of his guest performances include the Leopolis Chamber Orchestra in Ukraine, the Orchestra of Colors in Athens and the Orcehstre Colonne in Paris.

Unwavering Support

Made possible by the Plymouth Place Community Arts Fund, the Artist-in-Residence program was born out of Plymouth Place’s commitment to give back and serve the wider community in a truly dynamic way. “The western suburbs benefit so much from initiatives like this,” said Paddy Homan, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Affairs. “Investing in the arts enriches lives, enhances well-being and helps reinforce our role as a trusted community partner.”

Photo by Brian Lipchik Photography.

“It’s a win-win,” added Cheri Boublis. “We introduce incredible artists to our community, and the artists get to experience the warmth, curiosity and generosity of our residents firsthand. This fall we’re excited to host Northern Resonance, a contemporary Swedish folk group. Their visit promises to be a whole new musical experience for our residents.”

IPO’s upcoming season

As the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra looks ahead to its upcoming season, excitement is already building. Their lineup will include Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 and Violin Concerto, an auditory adventure of Star Trek Through The Years, and an evening of legendary film music. The season will culminate with a “Great American” program—celebrating the 250th anniversary of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

IPO started as a community orchestra over 70 years ago and will celebrate their 48th anniversary as a professional orchestra next year. To learn more about their exciting new season, click HERE.

An enriched life is just the beginning

At Plymouth Place, every day brings new opportunities to connect, celebrate and be inspired. To learn more about Plymouth Place’s robust live music calendar and our vibrant lifestyle filled with culture, community and joy, contact our sales department at (708) 482-6511.