Music Institute and Dance Chicago to DUKE IT OUT! with Nutcracker Adaptation

The Music Institute of Chicago collaborates with Dance Chicago to present a family concert, "Duke It Out!," Saturday, December 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

This adaptation of The Nutcracker, curated by Dance Chicago, pairs the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of the holiday favorite, performed by Axiom Brass and Music Institute Ensemble-in-Residence Quintet Attacca. Featured ensembles include Forum Jazz Dance Theatre, Moscow Ballet's children's cast, The Kate Jablonski Statement, Tapman Productions, Visceral Dance Chicago, Wheatland Dance Theater, and other companies and choreographers participating in Dance Chicago 2016.

Founded in 1999, Quintet Attacca is one of Chicago's most dynamic chamber music ensembles. Grand Prize Winner and Wind Division Gold Medal Winner of the 2002 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (one of only two wind quintets to ever win the Grand Prize), the quintet spent 2006-09 as the Chicago Chamber Musicians' Professional Development Program Ensemble and continues as CCM's Outreach and Education Ensemble. Quintet Attacca is also proud to be in residence at the Music Institute of Chicago, offering performances, family programming, chamber music coaching, and individual lessons.

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.

The Music Institute's 2016-17 Faculty and Guest Artist Series at Nichols Concert Hall continues with a concert featuring the Music Institute's Academy Orchestra and organ soloist John W. W. Sherer March 3 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago and March 4 at Nichols Concert Hall; pianist Sergei Babayan in an all-Bach program May 5; and Chopin International Competition medalist and Academy piano alumna Kate Liu May 20.

"Duke It Out!" takes place Saturday, December 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Tickets are $7 general admission, available at musicinst.org/faculty-guest-artist-series or 847.905.1500 ext. 108. All programming is subject to change. For more information, visit musicinst.org.

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