Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players to Combine Music and Magic at City Winery, 4/26

The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (cp2) continue their Spring 2015 series at City Winery (1200 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL) on Sunday, April 26 at noon. Percussionists Michael Folker, Joel Cohen, and Christopher Folker and violinist Daniela Folker juxtapose music with magical illusion, combining melody, rhythm, and exotic instruments from around the world in an exciting, family-friendly afternoon. The program will feature illusions as well as music by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Copland, Gomez, and Sousa.

Brunch will be available for purchase beginning at 11am and throughout the concert. Adult tickets range from $10 - $20; kids tickets (ages 18 & under) are $5. Tickets can be purchased online at chicagophilharmonic.org or by calling (312) 957-0000. cp2's Spring 2015 series will continue with performances on May 31 at City Winery and May 10 at Union Church of Hinsdale.

About The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (cp2) - The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (cp2) is a collection of chamber ensembles of varied instrumentation performing under the auspices of the Chicago Philharmonic. cp2 is dedicated to the original concept of chamber music as "the music of friends," by capturing the jam-session feel of great music played by great musicians. Its groups have been delighting audiences with virtuosic performances in a wealth of musical styles since 2010. cp2 presentations are set in diverse venues around the Chicago area, from churches in Hinsdale to jazz clubs in Chicago, giving each ensemble a chance to speak with its own unique voice.

MUSICIAN BIOGRAPHIES:

Michael Folker has been performing music and magic for over 30 years. He is a percussionist with the Chicago Philharmonic, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and Chicago Opera Theater. He has performed with a wide range of artists from The Moody Blues, Kansas, and Styx to Luciano Pavaratti and Victor Borge. Michael has recorded commercials with high-profile companies including Kellogg's, United Airlines, McDonalds, and Nintendo. A Music Performance graduate of DePaul University, Michael is on faculty at Judson University and Wheaton College. He created "The Magic of Music" and "Magic of Rhythm" educational programs to inspire young audiences with the wonders of live music.

Daniela Folker was born in Bucharest, Romania where she began her musical studies at the age of six. Upon moving to the United States she received a bachelor's and graduate degree in violin performance from Roosevelt University. She is Principal Second Violin for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Chicago Philharmonic, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Daniela has also performed with Luciano Pavaratti and Andrea Bocelli as well as with Celine Dion, The Moody Blues, Linda Ronstadt, Seal, and Natalie Cole on Late Night with David Letterman and Oprah. Daniela is on faculty at the College of DuPage and enjoys gardening, hiking, and serving at church in music and youth programs.

Christopher Folker has been performing musically and magically since age 7. He began in magic as his father's assistant but was soon performing his own repertoire of illusions. He performs in numerous venues ranging from retirement homes to public schools and even to the main stage of Principia College in St. Louis. Musically, Christopher studies the piano, and his percussion studies occur at home, with his father's percussion instruments always at hand. In addition to his musical and magical interests, Christopher is an avid Lego builder and tennis player, and he is active in church as a musician and youth leader.

Joel Cohen has lived in the Chicago area almost his entire life. Growing up in the South Shore neighborhood, he fell in love with drums while watching the Beatles on TV. A graduate of Chicago public high schools and Roosevelt University in Chicago, Joel has played and taught music throughout the Chicago area. In addition to playing with the Chicago Philharmonic since its inception, Joel is one of the Chicago Philharmonic's board members. He lives in Skokie with his wife Linda, his daughter Jenna, and two cats...one of which has its own Facebook page!

The Chicago Philharmonic is a musician-governed not-for-profit organization founded 25 years ago by principals from the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. Today, the orchestra is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the metropolitan Chicago area and has consistently won accolades from music critics and audiences alike. The orchestra's symphonic concerts at Pick-Staiger Hall and Nichols Concert Hall cover the full spectrum of classical music, from the masters of Baroque to the composers of today. The Chicago Philharmonic is proud to serve as the official orchestra for the Joffrey Ballet and to have maintained a partnership with the Ravinia Festival for 20 years. The orchestra has appeared at high-profile Chicago venues including Symphony Center, Auditorium Theatre, Harris Theater, and Chicago Theatre. They have performed with artists as diverse as Josh Groban, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Houston Ballet and have presented works as varied as Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, John Adams' Gospel According to the Other Mary, and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. The Chicago Philharmonic's 25th anniversary season, "Celebrating the Senses," is a series of five concerts, exploring each of the five senses as expressed in music.

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