Poetry met piano this week at Rush Hour’s annual spoken word concert as Mary Ann Hoberman, the Children’s Poet Laureate, alternated selections of her own children’s poetry with Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (“Scenes from Childhood”), performed by Kuang-Hao Huang, piano. The concert was sponsored in part by the Poetry Foundation and was broadcast on the radio and online by 98.7 WFMT.

(Pictured from left to right) Kuang-Hao Huang and Mary Ann Hoberman during rehearsal. Ms. Hoberman’s poetry paired well with Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen as both the poet and the composer were inspired by the experiences of children in crafting their work.

Mary Ann Hoberman’s performance included a pre-concert poetry reading for children. The audience was encouraged to participate by calling out words or clapping to the beat on Ms. Hoberman’s cues.

Mary Ann Hoberman (left) connects with Rush Hour supporter Chase Levey (right) at the pre-concert reception. Making donations and volunteering are a great ways to help Rush Hour continue to keep concerts free and open to all.

Many families attended this week’s concert and mingled with the artists over refreshments provided by Argo Tea at the pre-concert reception. The kid-friendly program was enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Organist and Director of Cathedral Music at St. James Cathedral Bruce J. Barber II returned to Rush Hour in a program of 19th Century French masters by Saint-Saëns, Messiaen and Widor. In addition to watching Barber perform from the choir loft, concertgoers were treated to a close-up, live video of his hand and footwork projected onto a large screen on the stage. The full concert was broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT, which will continue to broadcast Rush Hour’s weekly concerts live on the air and online.

Bruce J. Barber II rehearses prior to the concert.

A young concertgoer enjoys the pre-concert reception. Refreshments at this week’s concert were provided by Trader Joe’s and Argo Tea.

This week’s concert was followed by a Happy Hour hosted by Fanfare, Rush Hour’s auxiliary board of young professionals, in the adjacent St. James Cafe. The event was an opportunity for concertgoers to network with other young professionals and connect with Fifth House Ensemble artists over refreshments.

Fanfare members Misha Kogan (left), Irina Kogan (center) and Fifth House artist Andrew Williams, violin (right) get to know each other during Fanfare’s post-concert Happy Hour. Fanfare hosts events throughout each summer including wine tastings and post-concert Happy Hours. Watch our website, Facebook, and Twitter for information about upcoming events!

Fifth House member Adam Marks, piano (left), chats with a Rush Hour concertgoer and Fanfare member Bill Nichols (far right). Fanfare helps Rush Hour keep its summer concerts free and open to all through its under-40 challenge program, where all contributions made by people under 40 are generously matched by a major Chicago foundation.

Rush Hour’s fifth concert of the season featured Kevin Puts’ Quintet for Piano and Strings (“The Red Snapper”) performed by Fifth House Ensemble. It also marked the inauguration of a partnership with WFMT, 98.7 FM. Rush Hour concerts will be broadcast live on the radio for the duration of the 2010 season. Puts’ dynamic piece–which was inspired by Schubert’s Trout Quintet–enjoyed a thunderous reception from a near-capacity audience of all generations in St. James Cathedral.

Members of Fifth House Ensemble rehearse before the concert. (Pictured from left to right) Andrew Williams, violin; Clark Carruth, viola; Adam Marks, piano;  Herine Coetzee Koschak, cello; and Eric Snoza, bass.

Rush Hour Artistic Director Deborah Sobol (left) is interviewed by WFMT’s Louise Frank (right) during the pre-concert reception as part of Rush Hour’s live debut on the classical radio station.

Rush Hour volunteer Alan Margolin (left) with Trader Joe’s representatives Andrew (center) and Emily (right) at the pre-concert reception. Refreshments for the evening’s concert event were provided by Trader Joe’s and Argo Tea. Click here to learn more about volunteering with Rush Hour and becoming part of the weekly backstage excitement.

A group of first-time and returning concertgoers gathers at at the pre-concert reception. Telling friends about upcoming concerts is a great way to spread the word about Rush Hour!

Fanfare, Rush Hour’s auxiliary board of young professionals, is hosting its second Happy Hour of the season after the June 29th concert with the Fifth House Ensemble!

Fanfare members Joseph Gonzalez and Char Prescott enjoy a glass of wine.

The Fanfare Happy Hour is an opportunity for young professionals to connect over refreshments during a post-concert reception in the St. James Cafe (entrance on Huron) starting at 6:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be served!

Suggested donation $5.

For more information go to our Facebook event page.

This week’s Rush Hour concert welcomed Robert Morgan, English horn and oboe, and David Schrader, organ, of the Rembrandt Chamber Players for a captivating performance of selections by Mozart, Schrader, and Koetsier.

The organ at St. James Cathedral, which was featured in Tuesday night’s performance.

(Pictured from left to right) David Schrader, organ, and Robert Morgan, English horn and oboe, rehearse together before the concert. Click here for Deborah Sobol’s interview with this week’s artists and learn more about the unique history of this “relative” in the oboe family.

(Pictured from left to right) Volunteers and Fanfare members Max Eisendrath and James Weging passed out brochures at the new “tell a friend” table. Over 15 volunteers came to support Rush Hour staff at this week’s concert. Click here to learn more about volunteering with Rush Hour. Click here to learn more about Fanfare.

(Pictured from left to right) Janet Carl Smith, Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Programming, Dept. of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago with Deborah Sobol, Rush Hour Artistic Director at the pre-concert reception.

Rush Hour’s third concert of the season featured Fulcrum Point New Music Project’s Stephen Burns, trumpet; Gregory Flint, horn; Peter Ellefson, trombone; and Lori Kaufman, piano. The artists performed a program of French brass music, with works by Enesco, Defaye, Françaix, Honegger, and Ibert.

Members of Fulcrum Point New Music Project rehearse at St. James before the concert. Pictured from left to right, Gregory Flint, horn; Stephen Burns, trumpet; and Peter Ellefson; trombone.

Fulcrum Point’s Lori Kaufman, piano, concentrates on her music during rehearsal.

Volunteers Kay Collins and Mark Raymo talk with audience members during the pre-concert reception.

Refreshments at the pre-concert reception were provided by Trader Joe’s and Argo Tea.

Fulcrum Point New Music Project’s Stephen Burns (left) meets with Rush Hour Artistic Director Deborah Sobol (center) and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association President Deborah Rutter at the pre-concert reception.

Rush Hour was recently added to Yelp.com with a debut review of five-stars!

Concertgoers: help support and spread the word about Rush Hour by adding your own reviews, comments, and photos to the page.

Click here to check out Rush Hour on Yelp.