Music Institute of Chicago to Host Series of Free Lunchtime Concerts, Begin. 9/25

To introduce its stellar faculty to downtown Evanston workers and residents and welcome them to its new campus, the Music Institute of Chicagois offering free lunchtime concerts and conversation one Wednesday per month from 12:15 to 1 p.m. at its new home, 1702 Sherman Ave., Evanston. Lunch is available for purchase from the Pret A Manger Kiosk, and free coffee will be served.

Kicking off the series Wednesday, September 25 is jazz and classical pianist Ron Surace, who will perform some of his favorite jazz standards and original compositions. He has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is narrator/pianist with the Concertani di Chicago Orchestra, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and the Huntsville Symphony and has performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra (Ray McKinley), Bob Crosby, Ralph Marteri, Si Zentner, and the Bob Hope and Steve Allen road show orchestras. He is director/pianist of the "In Full Swing" jazz orchestra.

"We have received such a warm welcome from the community since relocating our headquarters to downtown Evanston this summer," said Music Institute President and CEO Mark George. "Our Institute for Therapy? through the Arts (ITA) and Musical Theater program are already serving segments of the Evanston community. We are now pleased to present a free lunchtime concert series for the entire community, particularly our new neighbors in downtown Evanston. These informal performances will feature our spectacular artist faculty."

George continued, "Evanston is an arts-friendly city. I am truly appreciative of the assistance we received from the City of Evanston's Economic Development Division. The Music Institute of Chicago plans to be in Evanston for a very long time."

The complete schedule of free lunchtime concerts includes:
September 25: Ron Surace, Piano
Jazz Piano-Favorite Standards and Original Compositions

October 23: Rae-Myra Hilliard, Soprano and Louise Chan, Piano
Excerpts from "Seasons Change: Music written by Black American Composers"

November 13: Michael Buckwalter, French horn, Chelsea French, trombone, Amy Larsen, trumpet, and Dr. Mark George, piano
Brass Chamber Music

December 11: Aimee Biasiello, viola, Kathy Lee, piano, and Ellen McSweeney, violin
Chamber Music

January 22: Dr. Mark George, piano and Almita Vamos, violin
Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op 80

February 12: Mary Drews, piano and Shigetoshi Yamada, violin
Fritz Kreisler compositions and arrangements

March 19: FrEd Simon, jazz piano with Music Institute guests
Program TBD

April 23: Winds Chamber Music

May 21: Eric Sutz, jazz piano

June 11: Alexander Djordjevic, piano
Schubert's Impromptus

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