Lang Lang to be Honored at Music Institute Gala, 5/13

The Music Institute of Chicago, now in its 83rd year, hosts its annual gala Monday, May 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place. The oldest community music school in Illinois and one of the three largest community music schools in the nation, the Music Institute is planning a celebratory evening highlighted by the presentation of the Dushkin Award to internationally acclaimed pianist, cultural ambassador and educator Lang Lang.

Chaired by Susan B. Noyes and Catherine A. Daniels, the evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by an elegant dinner and awards presentation.

The prestigious Dushkin Award, established 27 years ago and named for the Music Institute's visionary founders Dorothy and David Dushkin, recognizes international luminaries in the world of music for their contributions to the art form, as well as to the education of youth. Past recipients include Stephen Sondheim, Riccardo Muti, Yo-Yo Ma, Leon Fleisher, Renée Fleming, Placido Domingo, William Warfield, Isaac Stern, Sir Georg Solti, Pierre Boulez, Samuel Ramey, and Bruno Bartoletti, among others.

This year's recipient, Lang Lang, has been heralded as the "hottest artist on the classical music planet" by the New York Times and the "world's ambassador of the keyboard" by the New Yorker. He appeared in the 2009 Time 100, Time magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and more than 4 billion people viewed his performance in Beijing's opening ceremonies for the 29th Olympic Games. He has inspired more than 40 million Chinese children to learn classical piano-among others around the world.

The Music Institute of Chicago presents its fourth annual "Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago," which recognizes individuals who have provided visionary philanthropic and civic leadership for the broad spectrum of arts in Chicago and Illinois, to Kay and Jim Mabie. Their decades-long volunteerism and generous philanthropy exemplify their extraordinary commitment to the arts, culture, and education. Their strong involvement and generous support of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, WBEZ Public Radio, WTTW Public Television, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Ravinia Festival, the Music Institute of Chicago, and as founders of the Chicago High School for the Arts continue to enrich and advance Chicago's cultural legacy.

Honorary Chairs for the event are Alexandra and John Nichols, who served as chairs of the 80th, 81st and 82nd Anniversary Galas. Musical performances throughout the evening include some of the Music Institute's 750 talented piano students, award-winning students from the Music Institute's Academy for gifted pre-college musicians, and students from the Music Institute's Jazz Studies program with artist-in-residence Tammy McCann.

The generosity of individuals and companies who support the Music Institute's annual gala provide the primary source of scholarship and financial aid programs that benefit more than 5,000 students annually at the Music Institute's seven primary campuses, as well as through its extensive outreach programs in Chicago Public Schools and with community-based nonprofit organizations.

Individual tickets to the Music Institute of Chicago's 83rd Anniversary Gala are $550; table sponsorships are available for $5,500-50,000. For information, please call 847.448.8327.

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