Music Institute of Chicago to Welcome Axiom Brass, Quintet Attacca and Mark George in Concert, 3/1

The Music Institute of Chicago presents three of its own in concert: President and CEO Mark George on piano with Ensembles in Residence Axiom Brass and Quintet Attacca for a concert program Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. The program includes Beethoven's Quintet in E Flat, Op. 16 and jazz composer/musician Billy Childs' Two Elements for Brass Quintet and Piano.

Mark George: Dr. Mark George joined the Music Institute of Chicago in January 2010 as President and CEO. He is the immediate past board chair of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. In 2011, the Chicago Tribune named him Chicagoan of the Year in classical music. An accomplished pianist, he has performed and recorded extensively throughout the United States. His chamber ensemble North Coast Trio was the grand prize winner at the 1992 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and first prize co-winner of the 1993 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition. He has appeared frequently as a recitalist and soloist with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Trinity Chamber Orchestra, Epicycle: An Ensemble for New Music, the University Circle Wind Ensemble, and many others. He served as director of the Hartt School Community Division and as manager of community music education, and subsequently director of distance learning, for the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has held faculty positions at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve University, Mount Union College, and the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music.

Axiom Brass: Praised for its "high level of musicality and technical ability" and "clean, clear and precise sound," the award-winning Axiom Brass Quintet has quickly established itself as "one of the major art music groups in brass chamber music." As the only brass quintet in 27 years to win the prestigious Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition (2012), and the only American ensemble to win the Preis der Europa-Stadt Passau in Germany (2012), Axiom was also named winner of the 2008 International Chamber Brass Competition and prize winner of the 2010 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and the Jeju City International Brass Quintet Competition in South Korea. Axiom Brass is dedicated to enhancing the musical life of communities across the globe and educating the next generation of musicians.

Quintet Attacca: Founded in 1999, Quintet Attacca is one of Chicago's most dynamic chamber music ensembles, dedicated to bringing the unique sound of the wind quintet to all types of audiences. As Grand Prize Winner and Wind Division Gold Medal Winner of the 2002 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Quintet Attacca is one of only two wind quintets in the 40-year history of the Fischoff to win the Grand Prize. In addition to being in residence at the Music Institute of Chicago, offering performances, family programming, chamber music coaching, and individual lessons, the quintet spent 2006-09 as the Chicago Chamber Musicians' Professional Development Program Ensemble and continues as CCM's Outreach and Education Ensemble.

Music Institute of Chicago: The Music Institute of Chicago believes that music has the power to sustain and nourish the human spirit; therefore, our 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 National Association of Schools of Music. 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 opens 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, classes, and programs in four distinct areas: the Community School, Academy, Institute for Therapy through the Arts, and Nichols Concert Hall.

Mark George, Axiom Brass and Quintet Attacca perform Saturday, March 1 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 and available at musicinst.org or by calling 847.905.1500 ext. 108. All programming is subject to change.