The Musicians of the Chicago Symphony will present a benefit concert for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, GCFD, on Monday, June 13th at 8:00PM at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  Our musicians have always been involved in the community through chamber, educational, and community concerts. This concert, undertaken as an orchestra and conducted by our Music Director Riccardo Muti, will be the first time such a collective effort has been made.  Collaborating with the Food Depository, our musicians can offer support in direct ways, by raising funds.  This concert will bring attention to two of the most difficult problems our society faces: hunger and malnutrition.  The concert is entirely produced by the musicians. All of the proceeds will be donated to the GCFD.

All participants: musicians, stage hands, ushers, will be donating their services for this concert. CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti will also be donating his services.  He shares the musicians’ commitment to help those in need, saying "I am very happy to be conducting the first concert of the Chicago Symphony Musicians to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository, whose effort to end hunger is so important to our City. As musicians, we strive to provide cultural nourishment and so this joint effort is a reflection of our collective desire to feed the body and soul."
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The Studebaker Theater is just two blocks south of Orchestra Hall, within the Fine Arts Building.  This location was chosen because of its easy access for audience members, and its 720 seats will give listeners an opportunity to see and hear us in a more intimate setting.  The program will begin with the William Tell Overture by Rossini, followed by the Mozart Clarinet Concerto featuring Steve Williamson, soloist, and conclude with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.   By offering the use of this venerable hall, The Fine Arts Building has joined with the musicians to support the GCFD.  We also thank the Chicago Federation of Musicians for their support and encouragement.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository began its work in 1979 . They support  directly, or through over 650 partner organizations, one of every six Cook County residents.  Currently they provide approximately 165,000 meals each day, and the proceeds from this concert will help to support this vital mission.  We are proud to offer our support!

Tickets for this benefit concert are available through the Studebaker Box Office http://www.studebakertheater.com/tickets/box-office/

Greater Chicago Food Depository Vice President of Fund Development
​Jill Zimmerman walks with Riccardo Muti and Steve Lester.
                                                                                                                           photo by Todd Rosenberg

Tickets are now on sale for the May 1 concert, featuring a piece by Chicago composer Stacy Garrop and music by three American composers: Bernard Herrmann, Peter Schickele and Aaron Copland. Early Bird tickets are only $20 through April 1. Get yours today!

Stacy Gar­rop — Lit­tle Bits
Peter Schick­ele — Quar­tet for clar­inet, vio­lin, cello, and piano
Bernard Her­rmann — Sou­venirs de Voy­age
Aaron Cop­land — Sex­tet 

Works by liv­ing com­posers are impor­tant to us, as well as com­po­si­tions by Amer­i­can com­posers. This spring, we will bring to you “Lit­tle Bits,” a piece writ­ten in 2000 by Chicago com­poser Stacy Gar­rop, who is an asso­ciate pro­fes­sor of com­po­si­tion at the Chicago Col­lege of Per­form­ing Arts at Roo­sevelt University. Garrop will join us at the event and participate in a post-concert Q&A with the Artists. 

We will also present three other Amer­i­can com­posers: Bernard Her­rmann, most famous for his film music, includ­ing the theme for Psy­cho; Peter Schick­ele, best-known as his comedic alter-ego P.D.Q. Bach, who does par­o­dies of the great com­posers; and Aaron Cop­land, one of the most quin­tes­sen­tially Amer­i­can com­posers of all. These pieces will also feature guest violinist Kozue Funakoshi and violist Wei-Ting Kuo. 

Attendees are also invited to enjoy refreshments and mingle with our Artists at a post-concert reception.
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Ticket buyers may also take advantage of a special offer at Santorini Restaurant. Show your concert ticket and receive a free glass of wine and dessert with your din­ner. Reser­va­tions are nec­es­sary and can be made by call­ing 312.829.8820 or by vis­it­ing www.santorinichicago.com.

WHEN
Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (CDT)
WHERE
Anne and Howard Gottlieb Hall at Merit School of Music - 38 South Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607

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