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ANNUAL MLK TRIBUTE CONCERT: THUNDER

The Sinfonietta’s beloved annual tradition takes place this January 15 and 16. Featuring Chicago Sinfonietta's commissioned world premiere by Artist in Residence Kathryn Bostic: Letters From Moral Courage, Carlos Simon's Fate Now Conquers, Valerie Coleman's Umoja, and more! Frequent Sinfonietta collaborator Apostolic Church of God Choir guests.There are just a few tickets left for this unforgettable performance, so be sure to secure your tickets now!

January 15th (Wentz) and 16th (Symphony Center). Solely for readers of CADENCE: Use code CADENCE50 at checkout for 50% off tickets. 

NOAH CLINE PROMOTED TO CHIEF OF STAFF

Congratulations to Noah Cline, who has been promoted to Chief of Staff following two years with Chicago Sinfonietta as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO. A true asset of the Sinfonietta Administration, Noah joined the Staff in February 2021. In addition to his stellar organizational skills and professional acumen, Noah is a trained flutist with a Masters in Flute Performance. Feel free to congratulate him when you see him!

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UNAPOLOGETIC

Chicago Sinfonietta invites you to celebrate the unapologetic wonder of women in this musical homage to the female half of the species and their talent, power and drive. Not one, but two Chicago premieres are featured: Tania Leon's  Stride and Florence Price's Violin Concerto No. 2, played by the incredibly versatile and celebrated artist, violinist Rachel Barton Pine.

The Program
Tania LEÓN Stride 
Florence PRICE Violin Concerto No. 2 
with guest artist violinist Rachel Barton Pine 
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade 

Tickets click here.

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES
MIDWEST CLINIC

Chicago Sinfonietta and Mei-Ann Chen made a huge splash at the orchestra's debut at the annual Midwest Clinic. Not only was the Marquee Orchestral Performance a success, but it had fans of Maestra Chen lining up around the room to speak with her after the performance.

AFRICAN HERITAGE SYMPHONIC SERIES - CEDILLE RECORDS

Something wonderful is coming up with Cedille Records in the VERY near future - be sure to check their website next week!

Volume II of this important series "features compositions by exceptional Black composers from the 1940s to the 1980s, performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta led by its founder and music director, Dr. Paul Freeman'”one of the finest conductors our nation has produced.' (Fanfare)" Amongst the works, are Hailstork’s Epitaph for a Man who Dreamed (1979) which "pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King with passages of exquisite tenderness and noble power" and George Walker’s passionate gem, Lyric for Strings (1941).

CHICAGO SINFONIETTA X AUDITORIUM THEATRE

Chicago Sinfonietta looks forward to you joining us at the Auditorium Theatre in 2023-24 - our newest venture and venue! We are excited about our collaboration with and new role as Resident Orchestra of Chicago's iconic Auditorium Theatre. Read more about it HERE and  HERE.

THE ROUND UP

President & CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson named Chicago Tribune's Chicagoan of the Year, Classical Music
Adding to his growing list of accolades, Mr. Johnson was named the 2022 Chicagoan of the Year, Classical Music in late December 2022. Read the article here.

WFMT Presented Blake-Anthony Johnson in Conversation
Read more here.

Canton Symphony Orchestra's podcast interview with Blake-Anthony Johnson
President Johnson will also appear on an upcoming episode of Canton Symphony Orchestra's podcast, Orchestrating Change.  Check their website for updates as to the airdate here.

Chicago Tribune/Naperville Sun
Artist-in-Residence Kathryn Bostic is interviewed about her latest commission that will premiere on "THUNDER" the 2022-23 season annual MLK Tribute Concert. Read the article here.

Positively Naperville included Chicago Sinfonietta in its recent article on happenings in Wentz Hall. Click here to read.

The student newspaper The DePaulia recently published an article titled, "Symphonies of the future: Performing Arts respect the past, with an eye on the present." Chicago Sinfonietta Director of Education and Community Engagement Kamila Muhammad was one of the industry professionals interviewed. Read the excerpt below:

“I think one of the things that Chicago Sinfonietta does very well is balance,” said Muhammad. “Sort of create a good balance between honoring the legacy of those great Western European composers, including Beethoven and Mozart, along with more contemporary composers.”

To bring in new audiences, that balance is key for Muhammad and the Sinfonietta. 

“If we only play Beethoven, there’s no way we’re going to open up this classical music field to new audiences, simply because those audiences aren’t reflected in the repertoire that would be played.” 

One tangible measure that the Sinfonietta has used to help bring in new audiences is their “Pay What You Can Program.” Through the program, a select number of tickets are offered for as low as $5, largely removing some of the financial barriers that limit outreach. Muhammad feels that it is essential to remove this financial barrier for new audiences. (article excerpt)

Latest Commission
Composer Kathryn Bostic Chicago Sinfonietta commissioned work, "Letters from Moral Courage," receives its world premiere March 15 and 16 as part of the Sinfonietta's annual MLK Tribute Concert

Freeman Fellowship Program
Kalena Bovell shares a written piece on her management's website, "If you want it, work for it" -great advice for any life goals.  Read the article here.

Visit the new Freeman Fellowship portal - freemanfellows.org - click here to visit.