Music Institute of Chicago to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of E.M. Skinner Organ with Nathan J. Laube, 5/17

The Music Institute of Chicago celebrates the 100th anniversary of its E.M. Skinner organ by presenting acclaimed young organist Nathan J. Laube in concert Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

The program includes:

· Bach's Cantata 29, "Wir danken dir," BWV 39, Dupré transcription

· Mendelssohn's Variations Sérieuses, Op. 54, Laube transcription

· Schumann's Studien für den Pedalflügel, Op. 56

· Widor's Symphonie pour Grand Orgue, Op. 42, No. 5

· Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G Minor, Op. 28, No. 5, Federlein transcription

· Saint-Saëns' Fantaisie pour Orgue, Op. 101

· Mozart's Adagio und Allegro in f-moll für ein Orgelwerk, KV 594

· Dupré's Prélude et Fugue en sol-mineur, Op. 7, No. 3

A star among young classical musicians, Nathan J. Laube has quickly earned a place among the organ world's elite performers. His brilliant playing and gracious demeanor have thrilled audiences and presenters across the United States and in Europe, and his creative programming of repertoire spanning five centuries, including his own virtuoso transcriptions of orchestral works, have earned high praise from critics and peers alike. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Laube is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of young organists, and in the fall of 2013, he joined the faculty at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York as assistant professor of organ.

In a recent article in The Economist, Laube talks about the resurgence of the organ as a concert instrument. Following a recent live recording of an organ concerto with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, he said, "It was amazing to see a full house of symphony-goers jump up after what must have been for many a first exposure to the instrument in a concerto role."

The Music Institute's E.M. Skinner organ, Opus 208, was completed June 1, 1914 by the Ernest M. Skinner Company in Boston and underwent a complete historic restoration between 2005 and 2007.

Music Institute of Chicago: The Music Institute of Chicago believes that music has the power to sustain and nourish the human spirit; therefore, its mission is to provide the foundation for lifelong engagement with music. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the three 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 of Community Schools of the Arts and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute's teachers and arts therapists reach thousands of students and clients of all ages and levels of experience. The Music Institute opened a new location this fall at Fourth Presbyterian Church's Gratz Center in downtown Chicago. Other Music Institute locations include 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, creative arts therapy, and concerts through its Community School, Academy, Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA), and Nichols Concert Hall.

Organist Nathan J. Laube performs Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students, available at brownpapertickets.com/event/477613 or 847.905.1500 ext. 108. For more information visit musicinst.org.

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