Shulamit Ran, 73, has gained national and even international fame for her wide swath of solo, chamber, orchestral, choral, and operatic works, winning in 1991 the Pulitzer Prize for Music, the ultimate imprimatur of compositional excellence in the United States.
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Ministering Music for the Soul: Heather Headley does diva her way
It’s hardly a “diva moment,” even though that’s how she jokingly refers to herself. Yet if one uses “diva” in its original and laudatory definition—“a glamorous woman who is pre-eminent in her field”—then Headley is a diva of the highest degree. After all, she won a Tony Award for her show-stealing outing in the title role of Broadway’s Aida in 2000, then added a Grammy Award to her trophy case in 2010 for her gospel album Audience of One.
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Miko Marks makes her second wind a spiritual session
There was a time when Miko Marks lived and dreamed alongside the Flint River in the Michigan home of her grandmother, wondering just where her God-given voice would eventually take her.
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Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire kindle early music’s emotions
When internationally celebrated conductor and harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell was a child in San Francisco, she practiced piano at home on a paper keyboard. The idea that Sorrell would someday become the mastermind behind Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s award-winning Baroque orchestra, wasn’t on anyone’s mind then; but her passion and ingenuity were already evident.
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National Seminario Ravinia unites students of El Sistema-inspired orchestras
To celebrate the rise of Sistema music education in the United States and help spur even more growth, the Ravinia Festival is teaming with Chicago Philharmonic to present the first-ever National Seminario from July 5 through 8. The event will bring together 130 students from 23 Sistema-style initiatives across the country and Canada to participate in intensive orchestral training and to present a culminating concert on the Pavilion stage as part of Ravinia’s Kids Concert Series.
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Photo: Nigel Parry
Midori Is Named the Next Artistic Director of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Piano & Strings Program
in Classical, Park News, RaviniaNews, RSMI
Ravinia is proud to announce the appointment of esteemed violinist Midori as the Artistic Director of Ravinia Steans Music Institute’s Piano & Strings program, effective this fall to begin overseeing the 2024 summer season. Midori will succeed the acclaimed violinist Miriam Fried, who has held that position since 1994, following the tenures of the late Robert Mann (1988) and Walter Levin (1989–93).
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Announcing the Grand Opening of the Harrison Building
The newly opened Harrison building supports the growth of Reach Teach Play, the festival’s music education programs, by providing greater administrative facilities
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photo: Sam Burriss
The Lawrence Siblings Don’t Lose Sight Between Stage and Studio
To those already in the know, brother-sister duo Lawrence is one of today’s most relatable, unshakable, soulful pop tastemakers, who’ve spent the last decade steadily building a fan base one college basement party and online follower at a time. For folks just finding out about vocalist/pianist Clyde and co-singer Gracie Lawrence, chances are the connection will be equally immediate, if not already unconsciously familiar thanks to their smash single “Don’t Lose Sight.”
Lawrence has since been seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, as well as mega-festivals Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Outside Lands, along the way to their Ravinia debut on June 16, appearing in between British jazz/R&B giant Jacob Collier and burgeoning folksy pop trio Tiny Habits. However, the troupe’s meteoric rise is far from an overnight success story, but rather a slowly marinating journey stocked with exponential artistic development every fascinating step of the way.
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Get Ready To Buy Tickets For Ravinia's 2023 Season
in RaviniaNews, Park News
All concerts for Ravinia’s 2023 season go on sale to the public on Monday, May 1, at 8:00 a.m. CDT! Can’t-miss concerts include Charlie Puth, Jesse & Joy, Ne-Yo, Jason Mraz and His SuperBand, Natalia Lafourcade, John Legend, Carrie Underwood, and more, plus the multi-week residencies of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor Marin Alsop.
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Women's Board Members Join Middle School Orchestra for an Unforgettable Experience
Eight Ravinia Women's Board members attend the Sistema Ravinia Lake County Middle School Orchestra rehearsal on March 23. After hearing the students perform, the Women’s Board members quickly joined the musicians in the orchestra to experience what it sounds, looks, and feels like to be embedded in the ensemble.
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Experience Ravinia’s 2023 Season to Come with These Must-Hear Playlists
Get ready to experience the best of Ravinia’s 2023 season with these curated playlists! From the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to ’90s acts and movie nights featuring Jurassic Park and Encanto, this year’s lineup has something for everyone. Our handpicked rundowns hit high notes from a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, rock, and pop. Whether you’re a longtime Ravinia regular or a newcomer to the festival, these playlists are the perfect way to get pumped for the 2023 season.
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Miriam Fried, RSMI Piano & Strings Director of Three Decades, Ends Tenure
Esteemed violinist Miriam Fried is ending her 30-year leadership of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute (RSMI)’s Piano & Strings Program this summer, after mentoring numerous young professional musicians who have gone on to distinguished, often award-winning careers, and who credit the Steans Music Institute and Fried as integral parts of their training and success.
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Chicago Teachers Tune In to the Benefits of Music Education Workshops
“If we base everything we do in the classroom on building community, first and foremost, all of those other things fall into place. And then at that moment, learning happens when students feel like they belong, when they feel that their views are appreciated, when they feel that who they are is understood and respected, then they will open themselves up to learning,” Kelly said.
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Ravinia Love Stories To Warm Your Heart
in The Park, RaviniaNews
From chance encounters with future spouses to first dates and milestone celebrations on the Lawn, we’re honored to have hosted so many unforgettable moments. Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with some Ravinia Love Stories.
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David Crosby and His Wish to Play More
When David Crosby last visited Ravinia in 2014, we found ourselves reminiscing about the first instruments we picked up. Crosby spoke up about something more he wished he’d learned along the way.
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Music Discovery Program kicks off in Chicago Public Schools Classrooms
Ravinia’s Music Discovery Program is off to a great start in Chicago Public Schools. Students are having a blast learning more about music concepts, taking part in musical activities, and more this year.
Every classroom is different in how they introduce music through the program, but ultimately the program enhances students’ musical skills by providing teaching artists for multi-week, interactive music residencies in classrooms all while also providing enrichment opportunities to the classroom teachers who have the opportunity to attend music education workshops throughout the school year.
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Sistema Ravinia Orchestras Shine in Winter Concerts
Sistema Ravinia students showcased their musical talents and holiday cheer at the Sistema Ravinia Lake County and Sistema Ravinia Austin & Lawndale concerts this week.
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Tunes for Your Next Holiday Get-Together
Are you listening to the same holiday songs over and over again? Let us help you discover new favorites with our 30-song holiday playlist featuring a few of our favorite Ravinia artists of yore.
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Ravinia Steans Music Institute Alumni and Faculty Receive Grammy Nominations
We are proud to announce alumni and faculty members of the Steans Music Institute who have received 2023 Grammy Award nominations. The 65th Annual Grammy Awards broadcast is scheduled for February 5, 2023.
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Remembering the Legend, Ramsey Lewis
Ravinia mourns the tremendous loss of jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, who served as Artistic Director of Jazz at Ravinia for 25 years and was a critical partner in music education initiatives. “His influence on jazz and music in general is already etched in the history books. Especially with piano players, but also with all musicians. Ramsey helped move jazz and music forward,” said trumpeter Marquis Hill, who led the “Legends of Jazz” concert in Lewis’s honor in June. His passing will be deeply felt by everyone he worked with.
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