Fanfare for Rush Hour’s Next Decade

Join us for the exciting launch of Rush Hour’s second decade and the celebration of the grassroots movement that has brought it this far!

Fanfare, Rush Hour’s group of culturally curious young professionals, is hosting its third annual Rush Hour Tasting on Sunday, May 3 at the Ravenswood factory studio space of the electrifying ensemble Third Coast Percussion.

Mingle with the artists and socialize with other young professionals over wine and delectable hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m.

Then, at 6:00, get a sneak preview of Third Coast Percussion’s summer Rush Hour appearance. TCP will perform the world premiere of ensemble member David Skidmore’s Fanfare, composed in honor of Rush Hour’s 10th anniversary. Modern masterworks by John Cage and other contemporary composers will follow, interspersed with insightful conversation with the artists.

After the 30-minute concert, explore the plethora of percussion instruments, chat with the musicians, and learn how you can get more involved with Fanfare before you head off into the early spring evening.

Here’s what a few past attendees have had to say about the Tasting:

“This was one of the coolest concerts I’ve been to in a long time.”

“Pure pleasure–remarkable!”

“Experiencing a concert like this in person is really intense and satisfying.”

“I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been a huge classical music fan – but in the same right I was pretty much blown away by the talent and emotion displayed by these human beings and their instruments. This event may have changed my mind.”

Admission is FREE when you join Fanfare by making a contribution of $20 or more to Rush Hour. Click here to make your gift, and we’ll contact you with further details about the event.

As an added bonus, your contribution will be DOUBLED through a challenge grant opportunity with a major Chicago foundation–acting now gives your gift twice the impact.

Whether you’re a longtime Rush Hour fan or are new to the city, don’t miss this event unlike any other. Come see what all the energy is about!

Rush Hour @ 10: The Group to Watch

One of the most exciting developments to me over the last few years at Rush Hour has been watching the size of the under-40 demographic in our weekly audience grow to 20%. Anyone in the classical music world knows this is an impressive figure. To me, it’s inspiring. And the source of that inspiration is Rush Hour’s Fanfare, a group that started small and has grown to over forty members in the last year. Fanfare is Rush Hour’s herald, trumpeting news of Rush Hour’s “great music for busy lives” across the city each summer and throughout the off-season.

What does a typical Fanfare member look like?
- Culturally curious
- Between the ages of 20 and 40
- Doesn’t have a lot of time but wants to make a difference
- Relishes Chicago’s city life (especially in the summer!)

In my career as a performing artist over the last four decades, I have seen audience demographics buffeted about on the tides of social change, educational atrophy, and the competition of universal access to music that is not live. I have campaigned vigorously over the last two decades on behalf of the relevance of great music in all of our lives. I’ve continually refuted the myths that wearing a powdered wig or belonging to some sort of elite club are required for connection to this music to happen, maintaining that all anyone needs are their humanity and ears as entry points. For years, I have watched young adults being thrown into the center of this sociological conversation.

Imagine how heartening it is for me, then, to see emerging from Rush Hour’s accessible, practical concert format, a group of young professionals who not only promote the mission of Rush Hour and support its admission-free policy financially, but are also paving the way for the future of this series a decade from now. Fanfare is truly a herald: a sign that something is about to happen, ushering in a new paradigm of concertgoing and arts philanthropy.

Rush Hour’s 10th anniversary season starts June 2. Expect big things from Fanfare. They will be the group to watch. They have certainly played a major role in bringing their age demographic to the uplifting, energizing experience of live, great classical music, which is Rush Hour’s hallmark. They inspire my work as its artistic director, and, for that, they have my gratitude.

Bravo, Fanfare!

- Deborah Sobol
Artistic Director

Early Savings: Bijan’s Bistro Dining Discount

Rush Hour is pleased to announce that longtime dining partner Bijan’s Bistro is offering a special pre-season discount to all RH audience members.

Open 11am – 4am 7 days a week, Bijan’s is a perfect choice for brunch, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack. Click here to get your printable coupon for 10% off food and beverage at Bijan’s anytime.

Bijan’s Bistro is located at 633 N. State St. (at Erie). Call 312.202.1904 or visit bijansbistro.com for more information.

Recommendations from the Artistic Director: April 2009

April is replete with great musical offerings. Here are three at the top of my list:

Rembrandt Chamber Players’ exploration of Mahler’s works arranged by Schoenberg for chamber ensemble gives a glimpse into Schoenberg’s Society for Private Musical Performances to preserve and perform important music of its day. “Songs of a Wayfarer” with Douglas Anderson will be a special treat for anyone who follows this fine baritone’s work with Music of the Baroque.

Sunday, April 19, 3:00 p.m.
Gottlieb Hall, Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria St.
$40 adult / $15 student

All Beethoven programs continue to draw music lovers of all generations. The Chicago Chamber Musicians’ “Only One Beethoven” offers a superb overview of his variety in the world of chamber music: a string quartet, piano trio and woodwind sextet. The “Ghost” piano trio, op. 71, is one of the two most popular of Beethoven’s piano trios. This is a program not to be missed!

Sunday, April 19 & Monday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday – Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University
Monday – Gottlieb Hall, Merit School of Music
$16-$40 adult / $10 student

For those who like to spot young and rising talent, I recommend the “Young, Gifted and Stellar” choral musicians from the Merit School of Music, performing at St. James Cathedral. The young voices in the magnificent space of St. James will surely transport you to angelic realms!

Saturday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.
St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron St.
Freewill offering

- Deborah Sobol
Artistic Director