Chicago's Annual Four Score Festival Set for 3/4-11

The Music Institute of Chicago's Four Score Festival, which annually highlights contemporary music, this year features Charles Ives March 4 and Aaron Copland March 11. In addition, the festival spotlights the winner of its Generation Next Young Composer's Competition and other young composers in a free performance March 9. All performances take place at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. 

Young Composer's Concert

On March 9, a free concert showcases the winner of the Music Institute's Generation Next Young Composer's Competition, which encourages and promotes the development of young composers. The program also will feature works from the Music Institute's Composer's Lab Program, created by Composer-in-Residence Mischa Zupko, and performances by young composers from the studio of Chicago-based composer Dr. Stacy Garrop. The Music Institute again has partnered with 98.7 WFMT to record the performance for future broadcast on the popular radio programIntroductions, which celebrates talented pre-college classical musicians.

About the 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. As one of the three largest and most respected community music schools in the nation, the Music Institute offers musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services. Founded in 1931 and one of the oldest community music schools in Illinois, 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 world-class music teachers and arts therapists provide the highest quality arts education to more than 5,000 students of all ability levels, from birth to 101 years of age at campuses in Evanston, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Winnetka, and Downers Grove. The Music Institute also offers lessons and programs at the Steinway of Chicago store in Northbrook and early childhood and community engagement programs throughout the Chicago area and the North Shore. Nichols Concert Hall, an education and performance center in downtown Evanston, reaches approximately 14,000 people each year. The Music Institute's community engagement and partnership programs reach an additional 6,500 Chicago Public School students annually. The Music Institute offers lessons, classes, and programs through four distinct areas: Community School, The Academy, Creative Arts Therapy (Institute for Therapy through the Arts), and Nichols Concert Hall.

The Four Score Festival concerts-March 4 featuring music by Ives and Schuller, March 11 featuring music by Copland and Davidovsky-take place at 3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, available online or 847.905.1500 ext. 108. The Young Composer's Concert Friday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall is free.