Maestro Muti’s Most Memorable Chicago Moments

Since Riccardo Muti became the CSO’s music director in 2010, Chicagoans have enjoyed many magical moments with the maestro.

This Chicagoan Never Expected To Sing Opera. Now She’s Singing on One of the World’s Largest Stages.

Soprano Whitney Morrison began singing before she could even speak. Through her early years of singing in church, she never thought she would pursue a career in opera. Now, Morrison is one of 12 young artists selected for the 2017/2018 ensemble at Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. The Ryan Opera Center is one …

Video: This Is What It Sounds like When 100 Percussionists Play Together

The thought of 100 percussionists may evoke up cacophonous clanging, but the soundscape is more peaceful than you might expect.

Yo-Yo Ma, CSO’s ‘Concert for Peace’ Takes a Stand against Violence at South Side’s St. Sabina Church

“Yo-Yo Ma wanted to meet with me, and I thought it was a joke,” Reverend Michael L. Pfleger said to an audience of over 1,000 people at St. Sabina Church.

Yo-Yo Ma, Civic Musicians to Present Benefit ‘Concert for Peace’ at St. Sabina Church

Net proceeds from the remaining ticket sales will benefit St. Sabina’s Strong Futures employment program, which currently serves 50 young people ages 17-26 by providing training, mentorship, and other services.

Ravinia Announces 2-Year Bernstein Celebration, Curated by Conductor Marin Alsop

As a composer, conductor, and educator, Leonard Bernstein’s contributions left a tremendous impact on American classical and popular music. Ravinia celebrates his centenary.

From Polka to Mariachi, Discover Why Pilsen is One of Chicago’s Most Diverse Musical Melting Pots

If there’s any neighborhood in Chicago where a Czech swing orchestra and an Afro-Latin funk band can share a stage, it’s Pilsen. The neighborhood has been home to diverse music and musicians since its early history and today it remains a musical melting pot of traditions from around the world.

Boston Pops Violinist Dorothy Han Returns to Alma Mater to Teach Kenwood Students About Music & More

Returning to her alma mater for the first time in nearly 40 years, Dorothy Han performed and led a workshop in the very same Kenwood Academy classroom she once rehearsed in.

This Classical Music-Inspired Cocktail Is A “Ravelation”

If you like to accompany your favorite pieces of classical music with a cocktail, try this drink that pairs perfectly with a sonata by Ravel.

Stream: This Rare Live Recording of ‘Queen of Gospel’ Mahalia Jackson Will Take You to Church

Hear a rarely-heard live performance by Mahalia Jackson’s broadcast from the Morrison Hotel in 1975 courtesy of the Studs Terkel Radio Archive.

Chance the Rapper Gives $1 Million for Arts Ed in Chicago Public Schools, Goal to Raise $215 Million

Chance stated: “I’m committed to helping Chicago’s children having quality learning experiences, experiences that include the arts.”

Riccardo Muti and CSO Present Haydn’s ‘Seven Last Words’ at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral

Holy Name Cathedral is an architectural landmark in the heart of downtown Chicago. On February 17, 2017, the church opened its doors to another Chicago treasure, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

‘The Black Composer Speaks’ Celebrates 3 Generations of Composers in 1 Night on Chicago’s South Side

Composer and cellist Tomeka Reid presents the world premiere of “Present Awareness” alongside the works of Alvin Singleton, Olly Wilson, and Kahil El’ Zabar.

Be the First to Know Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2017-18 Line-Up of Operas, Concerts, and More

A new production of Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice, in partnership with the Joffrey Ballet, and the second installment of Wagner’s Ring, will highlight the 2017-2018 season at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Meet Susie Lape, the New Executive Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Now in its 70th season, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) recently announced that Susie Lape will serve as the orchestras’ new Executive Director. Susie is currently Executive Director of the Lake Forest Symphony. You might recall a recent WFMT series highlighting the Lake Forest Symphony’s search for a new music director in the aptly named program The Search. The CYSO …

At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards this February, Chicago Boasts Over 80 Nominees in 35 Categories

David Skidmore of Third Coast Percussion exclaimed, “It feels great to be nominated. We love this city, and we love the musical life of this city…”

Chicago Composer Brings Recently Restored St. Stanislaus Kostka Church “Out of Darkness into Light”

“Restoration is an act of defiance against decay,” composer William Neil said. His new work, “Out of Darkness into Light,” celebrates the restoration of Chicago’s historic St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

Video: Hear the Carols That Characters in A Christmas Carol Would’ve Actually Heard

If you’ve read the original novella or seen adaptations onstage or onscreen, you may have wondered which Christmas carols characters in A Christmas Carol would have actually heard.

Chicago Public Schools Reports Increased Access to Arts Education, Despite Statewide Budget Crisis

Ingenuity Inc., an organization that works to improve and expand arts education in Chicago, released its annual progress report surveying arts education in Chicago Public Schools.  Considering that earlier this year, Illinois’ public school districts were $20 billion in debt, Ingenuity’s findings may surprise you. In 2013, CPS announced its Arts Education Plan, which states: “Through a comprehensive and sequential …

North Shore Guitarist Adam Levin Brings Music to Mexican Community Founded Atop Former Landfill

When Levin and his colleague, guitarist Matthew Rodhe, began conversations about how to give back to the community several years ago, they decided they wanted to make a contribution to the people of Yuguelito.

VIDEO: “A Shot of Malört” Is the Song Every Chicagoan Needs to Hear

Two of the most famous songs about the Windy City have been recorded by Frank Sinatra: “Chicago” and “My Kind of Town.” WFMT host Robbie Ellis has composed his own Chicago song, “A Shot of Malört,” that he shared during the station’s first Classical Cabaret, hosted at the Uptown Underground nightclub and broadcast live. For those who aren’t familiar, Jeppson’s …

Second City and Lyric Look for the Lighter Side of Wagner with “LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!”

The  latest collaboration between Lyric Opera of Chicago and Second City is LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!, which runs through Sunday, October 30 at the Civic Opera House. Actor Tim Ryder, who appeared in The Second City Guide to the Opera  (also in collaboration with Lyric), said: “This show tells two stories in parallel: the story of Richard Wagner as he creates the Ring …

Batter Up! 10 Tunes to Enjoy Between Baseball Innings

Got baseball on the brain? You’re definitely not alone! Here are some tunes you can enjoy in between innings this baseball season.

Author Alan Wieder on His Book ‘Studs Terkel: Politics, Culture but Mostly Conversation’

Wieder’s book is the first attempt to synthesize many facets of Studs Terkel’s life, including stories and details about Studs’ 45 years at WFMT.

New Yorker Illustrator Tom Bachtell Talks Trump, Clinton, and Obama

Even if you don’t know the name Tom Bachtell, you know his work. For over 20 years, the Chicago-based illustrator has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker, which includes his drawings and caricatures in “The Talk of the Town” each week. You may also have seen Bachtell’s art in other publications including The New York Times, The Wall …