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Mary Beth McCarthy, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Fox Valley Festival Chorus (FVFC), has been delighting audiences in the United States and abroad for decades as a vocalist, instrumentalist and conductor. She has rebuilt and revitalized music programs, from high school and college departments to community groups, by creating unique, service-driven ensembles that touch not only the lives of participating musicians, but their audiences as well.

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Over the past 25 years, Ms. McCarthy has built the Fox Valley Festival Chorus into one of Chicagoland’s premiere community choruses, growing it from a handful of singers to a 60+ member company with brass ensemble. During her tenure as director, the Chorus has performed at numerous national and international locations, including Carnegie Hall (2013) and Lincoln Center (2015); The Vatican and Basilicas in Assisi, Venice and Florence (2017); Toronto, Canada; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2019); and cathedrals in Paris, Chartres and Normandy, as well as the American Cemetery in Normandy, the Eiffel Tower and Louvre (2025). Locally, Ms. McCarthy brings the joy of music to the greater Fox Valley area through formal FVFC concerts and frequent community performances.

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Her professional career includes both high school and collegiate faculty positions. Currently, Ms. McCarthy teaches at the prestigious Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) where she is Director of the Instrumental Music Program. Under her leadership, IMSA expanded its music program to include two bands, two orchestras, a symphony, a pep band and a strolling strings ensemble.  The band had the honor of performing The Stars and Stripes Forever on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. and the orchestra regularly performs at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora and at Chicago museums.  Many of her students attend both the ILMEA State Music Festival and the IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest where they win first place rankings.

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Prior to her position at IMSA, Ms. McCarthy developed the Instrumental Music Program at Rosary High School, creating Illinois' only all-girl symphony orchestra. Under her direction, Rosary students performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame as the first ensemble not of the Country music tradition; they also recorded a CD at Javelina (Elvis’) Recording Studios while in Nashville. Other notable performances include a lunchtime concert series at Lincoln Center and winning 1st place in a competition at Branson’s 1800-seat Country Tonite Theatre.   

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At Aurora University, Ms. McCarthy created a music minor, by reconstructing and rejuvenating the Aurora University Music Program, including academic, performance and assessment components; and is credited with creating and developing the Madrigal Choir and University Pop Singers. She wrote original scripts for, and choreographed many of her ensembles' concert, musical and cabaret performances.   

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Ms. McCarthy strongly believes in the importance of making music accessible to diverse audiences, not just through formal concerts, but through performances within the community. To that end, in 2003 she founded LIfVE Music, a non-profit organization created to bring hope and healing to hospital patients through music. This function was eventually taken over and expanded by performing ensembles from The Fox Valley Festival Chorus, IMSA, Rosary and Aurora University to include other non-traditional audiences, including assisted living centers, homeless shelters and other musically underserved communities.

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As a vocalist, violinist and flutist, Ms. McCarthy has performed under many batons, including Gordon Peters, Dudley Powers, John Svoboda, John Rutter and Mark Hayes. Former teachers include Bernard Izzo, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Delreen Hafenichter, Bayreuth Opera of Germany; Elizabeth Fischer, Northwestern University; Otkar Scrobek, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; John Svoboda, DuPage Youth Symphony; Edward Vana, Franz Benteler Orchestra; Louise Escot, Chicago Youth Symphony of Greater Chicago (CYSO); and Dr. Frederick Toennigus, Chamber Symphony and The Jack Benny Orchestra.  Ms. McCarthy won a place in the International Bel Canto competition, where she studied with Metropolitan Opera Soprano Martina Arroyo, La Scala Bass Giorgio Tozzi and San Francisco Opera Coach Natalie Limonick. She sang with the Lincoln Opera Company of Chicago for five years and has performed primary roles in numerous area productions from oratorios to musicals.

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Ms. McCarthy received her undergraduate degree from North Central College and her graduate degree from Northwestern University. As part of her studies, she received a Richter Fellowship, which took her to the British Isles to study the Anglo-Irish Conflict Illustrated by Folk Song.  Ms. McCarthy traveled extensively throughout England and Ireland, researching at Cambridge and Oxford and interviewing members of Parliament and experts in folk music at the Cecil Sharp House (London) and the University of Cork (Ireland).  

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Other personal and FVFC Awards and Recognition include:

• Medal of Honor, Caen Mayor/Curator of the World Peace Museum, France (2025)

• FVFC named “Music Ambassadors to the World” by the Chicago Tribune (2025)

• Holy Papal Basilica of Assisi and Tomb of St. Francis, Certificate (2017)

• Blessed Order of Friars Minor, Proclamation (2017)

• Proclamation from Richard Irvin, Mayor of Aurora IL for Fox Valley Festival Chorus and its director for serving as cultural ambassadors through their national and international performance tours (2017)

• Kane County Service Award (2012)

• Notre Dame University, Recognition of Excellence in Education (2006)

• Who’s Who in America (4 years), American Education (3 years), American Women (5 years) and receipt of the Who’s Who Among American Teachers’ Award (6 years)

• Director, Northwestern University Alumni Board (2000-2005)

• Alpha Psi Omega (National Theater Honor Society) (1983)

 

Throughout her more than 35-year career as a conductor, educator, and performer, Ms. McCarthy’s purpose has been to make a difference in the lives of those she serves. Her goals continue: making music accessible to diverse audiences, encouraging the talents of and providing opportunities for the musicians she leads, and bringing the enjoyment of music through formal concerts and community performances.