Composer and media artist Pamela Z and D-Composed, the Chicago-based chamber music collective that honors Black creativity and culture, perform music by Pamela Z and the Grammy-nominated composer, flutist, and vocalist Nathalie Joachim. Featuring the world premiere of a new version of Joachim’s “In Between”, written for D-Composed and Pamela Z.

Caitlin will perform Violin Concerto No. 1 Op. 2 by Chevalier de Saint Georges with the Accelerando Strings ensemble of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.

The Sphinx Virtuosi—the flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts—shares the stage with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program featuring Carlos Simon’s meditative Breathe and Angélica Negrón’s immersive Marejada.

The Sphinx Virtuosi—the flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts—shares the stage with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program featuring Carlos Simon’s meditative Breathe and Angélica Negrón’s immersive Marejada.

The Sphinx Virtuosi—the flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts—shares the stage with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program featuring Carlos Simon’s meditative Breathe and Angélica Negrón’s immersive Marejada.

The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a national competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with and receive mentorship from established professional musicians. Finalists in the Senior division have the opportunity to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and compete for nearly $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize. Audience choice awards are an exciting highlight, as those in attendance cast their votes by text and select a winner in each division. Under the direction of Joseph Young, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra will also perform the world premiere of Habari Gani for Orchestra by composer and cellist Quenton Blache.

DRAMA, or the band formerly known as 'Drama Duo', is the Chicago-based musical act composed of singer Via Rosa and project producer Na'el Shehade. Blending soulful lyrics with highly danceable beats, DRAMA's music is a true collaboration between the two artists.

A concert for all ages honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrating his inspiring message.

Caitlin will be soloing with the Richmond Symphony, performing “Dreams of Hope” by Dr. Henry Panion.

To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of The Chicago Public Library, we're going on a mini library tour where you can hear us perform the works of Black composers that you can learn about courtesy of your local library.

Plus, we'll introduce you to some composers you should have on your radar and who may be future history makers that you can discover and learn about.

Each event is free and open to the public and for all ages. See you there!

To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of The Chicago Public Library, we're going on a mini library tour where you can hear us perform the works of Black composers that you can learn about courtesy of your local library.

We'll pay a visit to the following branches:

October 9th - Bessie Coleman: 6:00 - 7:00 PM

November 6th - Harold Washington Library: (The Winter Garden) 6:00 - 7:00 PM

November 10th - Whitney Young: 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Plus, we'll introduce you to some composers you should have on your radar and who may be future history makers that you can discover and learn about.

Each event is free and open to the public and for all ages. See you there!

D-Composed | Hearing In Color | John Bitoy

Join us as we present a collaborative evening of music-making with Chicago-based, Afro-Dominican pianist John Bitoy and acclaimed all-Black music collective, D-Composed. From classical to contemporary, these performers will offer a range of stylings emphasizing the incredible musical contributions and culture of Black artistry.

D-Composed will begin their performance at 7:00 PM.

Caitlin Edwards and Daniel Schlosberg work in collaboration to bring us MERE MORTALS, an exceptional performance and intuitive study on works for violin and piano by composers of marginalized identities with a brilliant legacy to share with the world.

In a world that often grinds us to the bone, MERE MORTALS asks us to slow down, step back, and appreciate the fruits of our labor, reminding us that although our time on this earth is fleeting, it can also be a rich and exploratory experience that enables us to leave an immortal and vital legacy behind.

New York, NY

Concert: An Evening of the Music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Featuring Brendon Elliott, violin, the Marian Anderson String Quartet, Angelique Hairston, harp, and the Gateways Chamber Orchestra, Antoine Clark, conductor

Rochester, NY

Concert: An Evening of the Music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Featuring Brendon Elliott, violin, the Marian Anderson String Quartet, Angelique Hairston, harp, and the Gateways Chamber Orchestra, Antoine Clark, conductor

Harrisonburg, VA

Inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and Julia Alvarez, we bring you a program showcasing the beauty and tradition of excellence inherent in classical music created and performed by Black and Latinx composers for many generations. Together, we seek to uplift spirits through sharing the sounds that inspire us and transcend the boundaries of time, history, and struggle. We thank you, our listeners, for embracing the many voices and sounds that elevate our collective humanity.

Syracuse, NY

Inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and Julia Alvarez, we bring you a program showcasing the beauty and tradition of excellence inherent in classical music created and performed by Black and Latinx composers for many generations. Together, we seek to uplift spirits through sharing the sounds that inspire us and transcend the boundaries of time, history, and struggle. We thank you, our listeners, for embracing the many voices and sounds that elevate our collective humanity.

Mechanicsburg, PA

Inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and Julia Alvarez, we bring you a program showcasing the beauty and tradition of excellence inherent in classical music created and performed by Black and Latinx composers for many generations. Together, we seek to uplift spirits through sharing the sounds that inspire us and transcend the boundaries of time, history, and struggle. We thank you, our listeners, for embracing the many voices and sounds that elevate our collective humanity.

Bethlehem, PA

Inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and Julia Alvarez, we bring you a program showcasing the beauty and tradition of excellence inherent in classical music created and performed by Black and Latinx composers for many generations. Together, we seek to uplift spirits through sharing the sounds that inspire us and transcend the boundaries of time, history, and struggle. We thank you, our listeners, for embracing the many voices and sounds that elevate our collective humanity.

Ensemble Dal Niente returns to the Hyde Park Jazz Festival together with Artifacts Trio, Quince Vocal Ensemble, and students of DePaul University to perform large-scale works by Nicole Mitchell and Courtney Bryan.

At 5pm, Dal Niente combines with the Artifacts Trio (Nicole Mitchell, Tomeka Reid, Mike Reed) and students of DePaul University to give the US premiere of Mitchell’s Decolonizing Beauty, written for string orchestra and jazz trio, as well as the world premiere of her new work, South Side Love Letter, written for and commissioned by Ensemble Dal Niente.

Program

* indicates US Premiere

** indicates World Premiere

Nicole Mitchell, Decolonizing Beauty* (2019) for chamber orchestra and jazz trio

Nicole Mitchell, South Side Love Letter** (2023) for chamber ensemble

“We’ve got a great show planned for the September Dark Matter Series! Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist Sam Thousand will grace our stage with a TBA configuration. From maintaining years of performance residencies, curating special events throughout the city, and serving as a booking manager at multiple venues and spaces, Sam Thousand has become a fixture in Chicago’s performing arts scene. We’re so happy to welcome him here to Elastic Arts for his first show in our space in many years. Preceding Sam we’ll have the prolific Dark Matter Resident Sharon Udoh play a solo set for voice and piano. Sharon’s songwriting is ecstatic, emotional, and can shake the foundation of your soul. Opening the night we’ll have a DJ set from Sey Twila via The Blk.Room who brings a mix of house and post-club to their mix. It’ll be a beautiful Wednesday night!”

Join us for a beautiful evening of music as we perform classical works and works from genres such as R&B, Gospel and Neo-Soul! Featuring violinist Khelsey Zarraga and Cellist Malik Johnson!

This is a free concert!

New Music Chicago is excited to announce the fourth edition of Impromptu Fest: “New Music // New Connections,” a showcase of contemporary and experimental music being made in Chicago today, presented in collaboration with Epiphany Center For The Arts, Elastic Arts, and High Concept Labs.

D-Composed will close out the day on September 14th with a world premiere commission by Tomeka Reid.

Register at the link below. See you there!

Impromptu Fest 2023 Schedule & Registration

This September, Chicago Philharmonic celebrates the start of its ninth season as a Harris Theater Resident Company at the Harris Theater’s 20th Anniversary concert!

In a FREE concert at Millennium Park, experience an exclusive sneak peek of Chicago Philharmonic’s highly anticipated 2024–2025 Season and 35th anniversary year with performances featuring dazzling guest artists. Inaugural Artist in Residence and 2023 Sphinx Competition winner Njioma Grevious performs the first movement of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “irresistibly tuneful and big-hearted” (Gramophone) Violin Concerto in G Minor. Chicago Philharmonic then collaborates with local, established singer, songwriter, and producer Ryan O’Neal (stage name: Sleeping at Last) for exciting new orchestral arrangements of the star’s heartfelt hit singles, including Saturn, Sun, and Turning Page.

Longtime Chicago Sinfonietta Violinist James Sanders assembles stellar cast for premier performance of Quartet 23 for the July Ragdale Ring performance. This Quartet features the Chicago Sinfonietta newly appointed principal Violist Seth Pae, 3Arts Awardee and a frequent performer with the Chicago Sinfonietta Caitlin Edwards and nationally recognized Cello soloist Matt Agnew who is also principal Cellist with the Elgin Symphony since 2002.

The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised of eighteen accomplished Black and Latinx artists, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Its members serve as cultural and diversity ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States during national tours.

Lakeview Orchestra is proud to welcome Violins of Hope by Jewish Community Centers of Chicago (JCC Chicago). Violins of Hope is an initiative that showcases Jewish stories of resilience, resistance, and unity through their private collection of lovingly restored violins, violas, and cellos played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust. Concertgoers will have the opportunity to view these instruments and hear the powerful stories behind them at an exhibition before, during intermission, and after the concert.

Dr. Panion’s Dreams of Hope for Solo Violin & Orchestra is a statement of eternal hope and a musical reflection of what can happen when different people of different backgrounds and cultures come together on common ground and communicate with a common voice, recognizing yet celebrating our differences.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Chicago. Get your tickets now to discover music from Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites at Wicker Park Lutheran Church under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Join us for the finale of the famed Chicago series where jazz, classical, and ethnic folk music intersect in new and unexpected ways. Featuring music from Chicago's Brazilian, Japanese,

Ukrainian, & Indigenous communities. Guest performers join the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic to share their immigration stories and their artistry, creating a collective experience for audiences across Chicago of what it means to be an American. Originally premiering in 2017, the series has been hailed as 'the convergence of musical cultures [which] stands to yield an opus that sounds like nothing else we've heard' by Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune.

Confronting Marginalization through the Power of the Creative Life

What are the tools and best practices for creating thoughtful and lasting work? How can we use our talents and platforms to build arts equity that lasts? Join this panel of artists and arts administrations to find out what’s missing in the equity conversation.

Featuring

Alejandra Valarino Boyer, Director of Steans Music Institute, Ravinia Festival

Caitlin Edwards, Violinist and Educator, D-Composed and Ensemble Dal Niente

Blake-Anthony Johnson, President & CEO, Chicago Sinfonietta

Jennie Oh Brown, Flutist and Board Member, Chamber Music America (Moderator)

Presented in partnership with The Wallace Foundation.