Music Institute of Chicago to Present DUKE IT OUT at Nichols Concert Hall, 12/7

The Music Institute of Chicago welcomes families for Duke It Out, a concert showcasing both traditional and jazz-inflected versions of The Nutcracker Suite, Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., preceded by an open house at 9 a.m., at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

Duke it Out pairs the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn, transcription by James Stephenson) versions of the holiday favorite, performed by Music Institute Ensembles-in-Residence Axiom Brass and Quintet Attacca. Providing a visual illustration of the two musical versions are dance students, ages eight to 18, from Foster Dance Company, the performance ensemble of Foster Dance Studios,and Chicago-area professional dancers, totaling approximately 60 dancers. Choreography is by Ronn Stewart, Sarah Goldstone and Phil Brooks.

This morning of music for families, which is sponsored by First Bank & Trust, begins at 9 a.m. with an open house in the Nichols Concert Hall lobby. Kids can enjoy playing a variety of instruments at the Music Institute Instrument Petting Zoo, parents can talk with faculty and staff, and everyone can take advantage of special discounts on lessons and classes.