The Music Institute of Chicago joins the local celebration of Evanston’s 150th anniversary and the national celebration of Music In Our Schools Month with a day of music for all ages Saturday, March 16 at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.
The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with an open house in the Nichols Concert Hall lobby where kids can enjoy playing a variety of instruments at the Music Institute Instrument Petting Zoo, while parents can talk with faculty and staff.
At 10:00 a.m., Sergei Prokofiev’s musical tale Peter and the Wolf entertains and educates families by representing each character with an instrument or instrumental family. James Setapen conducts a Music Institute faculty orchestra featuring members of ensemble-in-residence Quintet Attacca.
Between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., in tribute to Evanston’s 150th anniversary, the Music Institute offers a series of free public performances involving generations of Evanston music makers who participate in Music Institute programs, its Arts Link school partnerships and additional local programs:
•2–3:30 p.m.: Joining the Music Institute in celebrating Music in Our Schools Month is Evanston’s Nichols Middle School Advanced Jazz Band and Director Cary Jacobs, receiving the Music Institute’s third annual Excellence in Middle School Music Award for exemplary music ensembles and programs in the Chicago area. This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of Jacobs and his students with a monetary award for the band program and student scholarships for private study or jazz camp at the Music Institute. At this concert, the Evanston students perform with the Music Institute’s New Horizons Band and jam with jazz faculty member Victor Garcia and Jazz Studies Director Audrey Morrison.
•4–4:45 p.m.: Students from Arts Link partners Lincoln and Walker Elementary Schools who participate in the Music Institute’s Brass for Beginners program perform, followed by Music Institute advanced trumpet ensembles.
•5–6 p.m.: Evanston Escola de Samba, which offers classes at the Music Institute, leads an interactive presentation of music and dance.
Tickets are $10 per family (up to six family members) for Peter and the Wolf. All other events are free.
