Rich Daniels is the Musical Director of The City Lights Orchestra. Rich Daniels has been creating and conducting memorable musical concerts and events since 1974, when he began his professional journey as a high school freshman on the great south side of Chicago. Through The City Lights Orchestra, he has been given a chance to participate in thousands of programs nationwide for associations, corporations and non-profit organizations. Daniels has taken the stage and performed in concert with artists including Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Garth Brooks, Rosemary Clooney, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Michael Buble and David Foster. Rich was the music director of the 20th Century Fox television show, “Empire” through all 6 seasons. In addition, Rich was involved in the TV shows “Boss”, “Chicago Med”, “Betrayal” among others. Most recently, Rich was the music director and executive producer for the PBS show, “I AM IRELAND” featuring Irish Tenor, Paddy Homan with 40 members of The City Lights Orchestra. I AM IRELAND aired on 285 PBS stations nationwide and was critically acclaimed. Daniels has been conducting regional orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Atlanta Symphony for the estate of Jerry Garcia performing a “Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration” with legendary guitarist / vocalist Warren Haynes. Daniels is most proud of the various charitable organizations his career has allowed him to serve and promote, especially the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, DePaul University School of Music, and the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Human Dignity & Solidarity. Rich was appointed to the board of the Illinois Arts Council in 2013. He also serves as the senior board member at the Chicago Federation of Musicians and a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor. Rich and his lovely wife Kathy have been married for 37 years and have 4 beautiful children and now are blessed with 3 grandchildren, Lucy Therese (4), Patrick Richard (3) and Annie Therese (11 mos).