Stories

the GRant Park Orchestra performs on the striking Pritzker Pavilion stage to a full audience

Grant Park Music Festival Announces 2026 Season

Chicago’s annual, free classical music series will be celebrating multiple anniversaries throughout its 2026 season.

Nadine Sierra in the title role of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor

Keegan MorrisMarch 19, 2025

6 Epic, Over-the-Top Opera Mad Scenes

Katherine Buzard

Playlist: Architecture & Music

March 18, 2025

New Releases Mar. 18: Gut Strings, Marsalis, Sondheim, and Selaocoe

Independence Day Parade Playlist

Adela SkowronskiJuly 2, 2025

Celebrate with marches written by Sousa... and other American composers!

close up of timpani instrument and mallets

The Evolution of the Orchestra: Percussion

Katherine BuzardJuly 2, 2025

Humans across cultures have played percussion instruments to accompany music and dance or for ritual, religious, or military purposes. But percussion’s rise in prominence within the context of the Western symphony orchestra only really began in the 20th century.

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Playlist: 12 Irish Composers You Should Know

Keegan Morris

From folk and traditional to punk, rock, and pop, Ireland is the source of much incredible music. But the Emerald Isle has played host to no shortage of classical music ranging from the 16th century to today.