Over the last decade, Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral (Rush Hour) has changed the commuting habits of more than 400 people every summer Tuesday in Chicago, inspiring them to stay downtown to enjoy the early evening offerings of a great city.

Conceived in 2000 by founder and musician Deborah Sobol, Rush Hour encourages the experience of classical music in a welcoming, widely accessible, relevant to contemporary life, and culturally rich environment. Now in its 11th season, Rush Hour presents weekly, free, world-class concert events throughout the summer in Chicago, offering “great music for busy lives,” designed with contemporary lifestyles and diverse audiences in mind.

Rush Hour concerts (5:15 – 6:15pm every Tuesday from June through August) are FREE and presented to the public at historic St. James Cathedral in downtown Chicago. Each concert event offers complimentary refreshments and world-class music by internationally recognized artists.

Rush Hour also has changed the landscape for classical music audiences: cognoscenti sit next to those who have never heard a note of classical music; generational supporters of the arts sit next to those who simply cannot afford the price of tickets to most music events in Chicago; 70-year-olds next to 22-year-olds… and all listening with a palpable level of audience engagement for which Rush Hour has become known.

Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral takes place every Tuesday from June through August, 65 E. Huron St., Chicago, Il. 60611. www.rushhour.org