In its fifth year of operation, CMPI continues to bring incomparable musical experiences to its fellows and the larger Chicago community. We will highlight some of the amazing musical opportunities being offered this year below.
Just a few weeks away is CMPI’s now annual Opening Doors Fundraiser. On Wednesday, October 11, prepare to be thrilled by CMPI’s guest of honor, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, as well as performances and speeches by CMPI Fellows and staff. Visit Opening Doors for more information about this unique event.
Masterclasses
The year is filled with guest masterclasses from a dizzying array of musical luminaries.
First up is a percussion masterclass with Joshua Jones on October 2 beginning at 7pm at the Merit School of Music. An alum of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Scholarship Group, the percussion home for many of CMPI’s percussion fellows, Mr. Jones is sure to provide a remarkable experience for both performers and attendees.
November 7 brings local violinist Addison Teng to Curtiss Hall in the Fine Arts Building at 7pm. On the faculty at DePaul University, Mr. Teng also runs a local summer music program, Fulton Summer Music Academy.
On December 20 at 4pm, Gateways Brass will present a masterclass at Kehrein Center for the Arts in conjunction with their performance at the Midwest Clinic. The all-Black brass quintet is sure to inspire fellows from all instrument families.
On February 17, cellist and classical music megastar Sheku Kanneh-Mason will present a cello masterclass at Symphony Center at 11am. During the same week he will be making his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut with the Elgar concerto.
February 24 brings a wind masterclass and performance to Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute of Chicago, with Imani Winds. This wind quintet is known for both its diverse membership and its varied, unique repertoire, and is sure to motivate and delight performers and attendees.
Special Events
The month of April is packed with special opportunities for fellows! The beginning of the month will include a trip for students who audition and are selected for the National Pathways Festival Orchestra. This year students will be working and performing with members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, as well as peers from Pathways programs throughout the United States.
The end of the month brings the Gateways Brass Young Musicians Institute and a residency partnership for the Dubhe Ensemble, a chamber collective of diverse musicians, between Merit School of Music and the Harris Theater. More details about these events will be forthcoming.
Fellows will also participate in numerous community meetings and other events throughout the year to strengthen their musical and educational skills. Seniors will take part in studio classes in September and mock auditions in December to help prepare for college auditions. Community meeting topics include Injury Prevention, Purchasing an Instrument, Public Speaking, Writing about Music, SoundMind, and more.
Fellows and their families will also again be able to receive free tickets to select Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts this year. Two of these concerts, Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7 on December 3, and Montgomery and Bruckner 7 on May 30, will include special CMPI social gatherings.
Performances
Performing is exceptionally important for fellows, who will have the opportunity to perform on CMPI recitals and other community events throughout the year. While more are sure to be added, thus far scheduled performances are as follows:
- CMPI Recital, October 18 at 7pm, at Bennett Gordon Hall, Ravinia
- CMPI Recital, November 13 at 6pm, at Kehrein Center for the Arts
- CMPI Recital, December 18 at 7pm, at Merit School of Music
- CMPI Recital, January 12 at 7pm, at Symphony Center
- Tea Time Concert Series, February 1 at 4:30pm, at Fulton Hall, University of Chicago
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event, January 14 at 3pm, at Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute of Chicago
- CMPI Recital, February 22 at 7pm, at Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute of Chicago
- CMPI Recital, March 12 at 7pm, at Fulton Hall, University of Chicago
- CMPI Recital, May 23 at 7pm, at Merit School of Music
Please join us in celebrating CMPI Fellows at any of these performances.
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