If walls could talk, the Steans Music Institute still could not have been more excited than its faculty and fellows to return to live music-making at Ravinia this summer. Looking forward to spending hours and hours closely collaborating in person, the musicians arrived at what was affectionately called a “hive” on the festival’s grounds. The moniker proved fitting not only because RSMI was almost entirely closed off to the public due to precautions with the pandemic, but also thanks to the seemingly endless buzz of activity in the John D. Harza Building and otherwise closed areas of the park like the Martin Theatre.
Yet a day in the life of an RSMI fellow is never all practice, all the time. To share glimpses of the hive with those on the outside, “Tuesday Takeovers” began in RSMI’s Instagram Stories, bringing viewers into the musicians’ jam-packed schedules and how the fellows balance their limited time in residence at the institute. Hopping between coachings, walks through the park, score study, and casual time with colleagues (and new friends) wasn’t always easy, but to each it proved to be a rewarding experience.
In a blink, the Tuesday Takeovers may have disappeared from the 24-hour Stories, but just like with the fleet summer residencies themselves, the memories persist—with a little help from a few saved clips! As the warm glow of summer begins to recede, take a look back at how the RSMI fellows navigated a most unusual summer while thriving inside their musical hive.
In the first takeover of the summer, cellist Stella Cho journals her early morning and late night rehearsals and everything in between—including a pit stop at the local Field Violin Workshop!
Later on, cellist Connor Kim navigates the practice rooms, highlights all that fuels RSMI backstage, and appreciates the little things that revitalize the fellows every day (and night).
Then, during the final week of the Program for Piano & Strings, cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins and pianist Kyle Orth tag-team the sights and sounds of a morning burbling with energy before adding snapshots of rehearsing their piece for the closing concert, taking in their peers’ performances, and capping a night at Ravinia.
Come August with the Program for Voice, soprano Claire Galloway took over the stories for a special Thursday edition, touring the park and building excitement for that night’s Ravinia main-stage concert with mezzo (and RSMI alum!) Michelle DeYoung and the vocal program director, Kevin Murphy, on piano. She also adds glimpses of faculty sessions, midday recharging, and meeting up with the donors who graciously help make the Steans Music Institute happen year after year.
Follow @steansmusicinstitute on Instagram to keep up with alumni and in-season news as well as to catch more takeovers, quotes, and behind-the-scenes clips.