Music Institute of Chicago's Academy Celebrates 10 Years with Concerts, Guest Artists, Alumni

The Music Institute of Chicago celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Academy program, which has educated and prepared gifted pre-college musicians for professional training and music careers, with several public events in 2016. On Saturday, February 6, renowned violinist/violist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman gives a master class for Academy students, free and open to the public, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Principal Clarinetist Stephen Williamson performs chamber music with Academy students. Both events take place at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

Zukerman leads a master class, free and open to the public, for Academy students Joshua Brown, violin, and Tess Krope, viola, and Community School student Julian Rhee, violin, at 3 p.m. Zukerman has remained a phenomenon in the world of music for more than four decades. Devoted to the next generation of musicians, he has inspired younger artists with his magnetism and passion. His enthusiasm for teaching has resulted in innovative programs in London, New York, China, Israel, and Ottawa. The name Pinchas Zukerman is equally respected as violinist, violist, conductor, pedagogue, and chamber musician.

Williamson performs Mozart’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A Major, K. 581 with Academy students at 7:30 p.m. In addition to serving as principal clarinetist of the CSO under Maestro Riccardo Muti, he was the principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic (2013–14) under Alan Gilbert, principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (2003–11) under James Levine, and a frequent guest principal clarinetist with the Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra in Japan under Seiji Ozawa. Williamson is currently on the faculty of DePaul University.

The rest of the concert program features Academy musicians performing Beethoven’s Trio for Piano and Strings in B-flat Major, Op. 97 (Archduke Trio); Beethoven’s String Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2; and Mendelssohn’s Trio for Piano and Strings in C Minor, Op. 66.

The Music Institute’s Academy 10th Anniversary Celebration Concerts continue with Music Institute alumni Rachel Barton Pine and Matthew Lipman performing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall.

In a surprise addition to the 10th anniversary festivities, pianist and Academy alumna Kate Liu makes her triumphant return to Chicago after capturing the Bronze Medal at the 17th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition. Liu, a Music Institute student from 2004 through 2012, performs a solo recital at Nichols Concert Hall on January 16, 2016.

Academy

Founded in 2006, the Music Institute of Chicago Academy has quickly established itself as a training center for highly gifted pre-collegiate musicians. The selective program focuses on providing a comprehensive musical education that includes private lessons with Academy artist faculty, a rigorous chamber music component, a stimulating chamber orchestra experience, and accelerated music theory classes. Pianists additionally study keyboard history and literature, improvisation, and keyboard skills in an intimate group setting. A hallmark of the Academy is routine master classes and enrichment offerings with some of the world’s most renowned artists and educators. Vital to the program are significant performance opportunities for developing musicians. The carefully assembled faculty includes internationally recognized teachers and performers with a passion for developing young talent and an established track record of student achievement.

Music Institute of Chicago

The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute’s teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience. Music Institute locations include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall.

The Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert featuring Stephen Williamson takes place Saturday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students, available at brownpapertickets.com/event/1996616 or 847.905.1500. All programming is subject to change. For more information, visit musicinst.org.

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