Music And Art Combine For A Concert At Evanston Art Center

Students from the Music Institute of Chicago's Academy, a training center for gifted pre-college musicians, are collaborating with the Evanston Art Center (EAC), 1717 Central Street, to perform the first collaboration of a new project, Melodies on Canvas, aiming to bring together the music and visual arts genres. The free concert takes place on Sunday, January 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Academy cellist Cameron Chiu introduced this idea to his Academy colleagues and instructors after participating in the Center Stage for Strings summer camp at the University of Michigan. Students enrolled in the program performed chamber music in front of paintings they selected from the museum. That day, I listened to five completely new pieces. The simple pairing of imagery and sound didn't just enhance each of the two elements but provided a different experience altogether. I hope that this and other events under the Melodies on Canvas banner show my appreciation for art's impact, while allowing students, adults, musicians, and artists to learn something new about the world.

Each Academy string quartet will perform in the EAC First Floor Gallery in front of the artwork that inspired the music piece. The 2019 EAC Studio Exhibition showcases artwork by students of all ages in the departments of Ceramics, Digital Arts, Painting and Drawing, Figure Sculpture, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Photography, Printmaking, and Woodworking. Students of all skill levels, from beginning to professional, present work in a wide range of media and processes created at the Evanston Art Center.

EAC President and CEO Paula Danoff commented, We are so honored and thrilled to be partnering with the Music Institute. The talent that all these artists possess and share with the audience is overwhelming! This is such a creative process, and we are looking forward to the performance.

The program, which features three Academy string quartets, includes the following:

Music: String Quartet #5, H. 268, Allegro vivo by Bohuslav Martin
Musicians: Xena String Quartet: Noelle Naito, violin; Claire Arias-Kim, violin; Isabel Chen, viola;
Camille Toubol, cello
Artwork: Flight by Elizabeth O'Connor-Bolich

Music: String Quartet in E minor, Allegro by Giuseppe Verdi
Musicians: Nova String Quartet: John Heo, violin; Irina Casasnovas, violin; Zechary Mo, viola;
Cameron Chiu, cello
Artwork: Lake Michigan Sunset by Leah Durst

Music: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 50, #5, Finale: Vivace by Joseph Haydn
Musicians: Fiero String Quartet: Kaylin Liu, violin; Isabella Brown, violin; Elena Galentas, viola;
Alon Hayut, cello
Artwork: Good Ol' Charlie Brown by Reece Pekin (Music Institute oboe student)

Music: String Quartet #1 in G minor, Opus 27, Un Poco Andante Allegro molto ed agitato
by Edvard Grieg
Musicians: Fiero String Quartet: Kaylin Liu, violin; Isabella Brown, violin; Elena Galentas, viola;
Alon Hayut, cello
Artwork: Cataclysm by Anne Kauff We are fortunate to have a community partner as good as the Evanston Art Center, said Music Institute President and CEO Mark George. Together we have created a common space for young musicians and visual artists to express what cannot be said in words alone.

The Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, led by Director James Setapen, is a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players that provides a comprehensive music education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. Faculty, staff, and students come together for an intensive 30-week program that includes private lessons with Academy artist faculty, a rigorous chamber music component, a stimulating chamber orchestra experience, and accelerated music theory classes. Pianists additionally study keyboard history and literature, improvisation, and keyboard skills in an intimate group setting. A hallmark of the Academy is the weekly master class when students perform for and observe acclaimed musicians and educators who share their knowledge. The Academy faculty, who teach at some of the country's most prestigious conservatories and music schools, have a passion for developing young talent and an established track record of student achievement. Academy students win national prizes and matriculate to the nation's top conservatories and universities.

Music Institute of Chicago
The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute's teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience. Music Institute locations include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall. For more information, visit musicinst.org.

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