Associates Board's Music Matters Honors Kauffman, Supports Education

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The Ravinia Associates Board will host its most important event, the annual Music Matters fundraising dinner, dance and auction at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Radisson Blu Aqua, 221 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago. Performing live will be one of Chicago’s most popular bands, the high-energy Maggie Speaks. Proceeds from this spirited black-tie event support the not-for-profit Ravinia Festival’s REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs. Last year’s event grossed a record $494,214 for the programs, which reach 75,000 people in Cook and Lake Counties, largely in underserved Chicago Public Schools. Each year, a person or group who has made a tremendous impact on Ravinia’s education programs is honored at Music Matters. This year’s honoree will be the man who actually gave REACH*TEACH*PLAY its name, Welz Kauffman, who celebrates his 15th anniversary as President and CEO of Ravinia in 2015.

Remembering Composer Stephen Paulus

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We were saddened to learn on Monday of the passing of the great composer Stephen Paulus. He suffered a stroke last summer, mere weeks before he was to join the faculty of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) to work with our fellows in the Program for Singers. Stephen was one of seven composers commissioned to write a song to commemorate the 25th anniversary of RSMI in 2013, and his song, “Was It All a Dream,” was premiered in Bennett Gordon Hall by bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana and pianist Renate Rohlfing on August 12 of that year. This was one of the last compositions of a prolific and celebrated career. Listen to Musa's performance on InstantEncore.

RSMI Alumna Joins 2015-16 Lyric Opera Of Chicago Ensemble

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Every summer Ravinia's Steans Music Institute has the opportunity to work with a handful of talented musicians. Once they depart our program we make a point to keep in touch and are always excited to hear about their next milestones. With that in mind, we are happy to share the news that 2014 alumna Diana Newman has become part of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble for the 2015-2016 season at the Lyric Opera of Chicago! Congratulations Diana! You can learn more about Ms. Newman on her website and by watching the video of her August 11, 2014 performance (below) of three songs by George Crumb in the Bennett Gordon Hall.

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2014 Ravinia Selects - Pedro

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Ravinia is a very unique place in that there is a such a variety of concert experiences, I am still learning more and more every summer. From the picnic on the lawn, to dining on the Park View Terrace, to Lawncierge, or sitting in reserved seating, everyone ones experience is unique.

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2014 Ravinia Selects - Patrick

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In his selects, Patrick aims to capture the essence of the Ravinia experience. While for some that means sitting inside the pavilion, getting as close to their favorite stars as they can, for others that might mean sitting on the lawn with a picnic getting as close to their favorite people. This variety of experience is what makes Ravinia such a special venue to see a performance. Below he shares his favorite captures in no particular order.

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2014 Ravinia Selects - Russell

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After a deep breath we plunge—spiraling into each day of our lives with as much fortitude and focus as we can muster. Many times we loose our way and have to reset ourselves, begin again with fresh eyes and mind. For the last 9 years, I have dedicated my Ravinia career to helping millions find that escape and rejuvenation in their lives—as music can heal all. 

Often times, one thinks of a sticky floored theatre with egregious beer prices and bad sound to be an agreeable concert experience. I, on the other hand, am spoiled with the offerings of our famous lawn and any beverage I choose to bring in. This place is so much more—Ravinia changes you.

The first of my three image choices from this summer is a whimsical one. Richard Hunt, a Ravinia Life Trustee, world-famous artist and, more important, a man whom I call my friend, is pictured here interacting with a sculpture.

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Food Network Addiction

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A while back, South Park aired a very funny episode in which one of the boys’ fathers becomes hooked on cooking shows. I can sympathize; I should be standing in front of a self-help group and declaring, “My name is John, and I am

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20 Feet From Stardom Star Lisa Fischer Says It Rejuvenated her

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You may not know her name, but you know her voice. As documented in the Academy Award–winning film 20 Feet from Stardom, the mutlitalented R&B singer Lisa Fischer has sung backup for everyone from Tina Turner to Nine Inch Nails, and many know her as the growler who steals the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” from Mick Jagger himself. Fischer said the film has given both her outlook and her career a boost. So much so that she is taking center stage at Ravinia on Sept. 10 when she’ll open for blue-eyed-soul star Joss Stone.

Photo by Djeneba Aduayom

Celebrating James Conlon In 2015

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From the multiyear Mahler cycle, traversal of the complete Mozart Piano concertos, taking the Chicago Symphony into the Martin Theatre for a collection of Mozart operas and numerous other works, James Conlon has brought us many magical moments at Ravinia. James Conlon announced today that 2015 will be his final season as a music director of our CSO residency. Conlon and Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman have shaped the 2015 season as a celebration of Conlon’s long association with Ravinia, where he has been a guest conductor since 1977.

Bailey Preps For '80s Tour Playing Thompson Twins Hits At British Club

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His sound helped define an era and supply a new-wave soundtrack to more than a few teen-angst comedies, but Tom Bailey has not performed his old Thompson Twins songs in 27 years. Now that he’s on the ’80s tour “Retro Futura”—an all-synth-pop revue that also features Howard Jones, Ultravox’s Midge Ure, China Crisis and Katrina (ex–Katrina and the Waves)—Bailey took the old tunes out for a spin in preparation for his return to America by playing them to an enthusiastic crowd at the small club Sub89 in Reading, England. Fan video taken at the gig can be found on YouTube.

Ravinia Presents Encore Screening Of Oscar-winning The Lady In Number 6

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Ravinia will present an encore screening of this year’s Oscar winner for Best Documentary Short Subject, The Lady in Number 6, in Bennett Gordon Hall with free general admission to ticket holders for the Monday, Aug. 25, performance by Pedja Muzijevic featuring Chopin’s complete Op. 28 preludes. The film tells the riveting, true story of the world’s oldest pianist, who also happened to be the world’s oldest concentration camp survivor, Alice Herz-Sommer. Chopin was a particular favorite of the 101-year-old, who died just one week before the film won the Oscar. The 38 minute film begins at 4:45 p.m. with the concert starting at 6:00 p.m.

Ravinia's Hometown Hosts Big Events; Parking Will Be Scarce

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In addition to Ravinia’s sold-out concerts by Train and The Wallflowers on Aug. 22 and 23, our hometown will be hosting both the Port Clinton Art Festival and the Taste of Highland Park. Parking spaces will be in especially high demand through the weekend, particularly on Saturday. Ticket holders are advised to plan ahead for heavy traffic and are reminded that the Metra Union Pacific North Line can be a convenient option, as it lets off and picks up passengers right at our gate. Those who must drive are highly encouraged to carpool. Ravinia’s parking lots will open at 3 p.m. and will fill quickly. Customers will experience the worst traffic after 5:30 p.m.

Get Approved to Foster PAWS Pet and Win Free Billy Corgan Tickets

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Billy Corgan is taking a break from recording two new Smashing Pumpkins albums, due out in 2015, to perform at Ravinia, in his hometown of Highland Park, for the first time on Aug. 30, and anyone who gets approved to foster a pet through PAWS between now and Aug. 27 will receive a free pair of Pavilion tickets to Corgan’s performance. Fostering a pet usually requires just a few weeks of love and care for a sick or abused animal until it is ready to find a permanent place to live. Applications can be filled out online. PAWS will also have a booth set up at Ravinia’s main gate on the day of Corgan’s concert. Guests are encouraged to register here to find out more about PAWS and how they can help.

Carrie Underwood Hosts CMA Awards

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Carrie Underwood is already the queen of country music, but she’s quickly becoming a darling of TV. Her live broadcast of The Sound of Music made international headlines, she has proven an awards-show favorite on such specials as The Grammys, and she’s the big reason to tune in to such TV specials as this week’s CMA Music Festival, billed as “country’s night to rock.”

It’s just been announced that Underwood and Brad Paisley will team up for the seventh time to host the 48th Annual Country Music Awards this fall. Because of their TV chemistry, word is out that Underwood will join Paisley on his forthcoming album as well. In the meantime the superstar returns to Ravinia on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7. 

Last Chance to Win Cash for Your School by Attending Ravinia's CSO Concerts for Free

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The 2014 Chicago Symphony Orchestra residency is winding down. That means there are only a handful of opportunities left to give your high school a chance to win cash for its music program. All high-school students are admitted free to the lawn for CSO concerts, but those students should sign in at the box office before entering the park to earn a point for their school. The school with the most points at the end of the season will win $5,000, awarded by the Ravinia Associates Board.

For the first time in years, Highland Park High School is pressing its hometown advantage—here are the standings—but students can turn the tides by attending Don Giovanni on Aug. 14 and Aug. 16 or The Marriage of Figaro on Aug. 15 and Aug. 17.

Chicago Tribune Explores Latest Teaming of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Jake Heggie

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One of the great living singers of all time, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and one of the hottest classical composers working today, Jake Heggie, have been friends since the latter’s college years. The Chicago Tribune takes a look at some of the great art born of that relationship in a just-published interview. In the latest collaboration Heggie celebrates Kiri’s 70th birthday with a new song cycle commissioned by Ravinia and based on the poetry of Emily Dickinson. That world premiere, with Heggie accompanying the soprano, is part of a program featuring music by Richard Strauss and Mozart on Aug. 12 in the Martin Theatre.

Scientific Chef Bowman Transforms Ravinia With A Middle-Earth Menu

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Celebrated Chicago chef Thomas Bowman, of iNG, Baume and Brix and the recent WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot (WTF) event, returns to Ravinia as guest chef. Known for his attention to detail and scientific balancing of sweet and savory, Bowman will transform Ravinia into a Middle-earth feast fit for any hobbit or wizard when Ravinia presents the final installment of the Lord of the Rings series with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing the live score along with the film Return of the King on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8. For dining reservations, call 847-432-7550.

Voices Carry From Canada to Ukraine

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This week Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) welcomed 14 of the world’s most talented professional musicians to its summer conservatory program for singers. They’ve come from Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and, of course, the United States. They will participate in a free, public master class with James Conlon at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, in Bennett Gordon Hall. View a full list of concerts and master classes to be given by the RSMI class of 2014.