Music Institute of Chicago Hosts Gala to Celebrate Violinist Rachel Barton Pine, 5/15

The Music Institute of Chicago hosts its annual gala Monday, May 15 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 acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine.

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by an elegant dinner and awards presentation. Musical performances throughout the evening include talented students from the Music Institute's Community School, award-winning students from its renowned Academy for gifted pre-college musicians, and young students from its ArtsLink outreach programs, including the Suzuki violin program on the Northwest Side of Chicago, a collaborative effort with the YMCA.

The prestigious Dushkin Award, established more than 30 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 Joshua Bell, Deborah Rutter, André Previn, Lang Lang, 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, Rachel Barton Pine, is an internationally admired concert violinist, recording artist, educator, and philanthropist. She has appeared as a soloist with many of the country's most prestigious symphony orchestras under the baton of renowned conductors from around the globe. Celebrated as a leading interpreter of great classical and contemporary works, her performances combine her innate gift for emotional communication and her scholarly fascination with historical research. Her prolific discography of 30 albums on major labels reflects her interest in the great classical works as well as contemporary composers and historically neglected artists. Having studied at the Music Institute with the legendary Almita and Roland Vamos, Pine is committed to encouraging the next generation to experience the transformative power of the arts. Her Rachel Barton Pine Foundation assists young artists through various projects, including the Instrument Loan Program, Grants for Education and Career, Global HeartStrings (supporting classical musicians in developing countries), and a curricular series in development in conjunction with the University of Michigan: Music by Black Composers. She is a Life Trustee of the Music Institute of Chicago, which named the "Rachel Barton Pine Violin Chair" in her honor.

The Music Institute of Chicago is honored to present its eighth 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 Susan and Richard (in memory) Kiphart. Susan Kiphart grew up in Indiana and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in education. She taught grade school, earned a master's degree in early childhood education from the Erikson Institute, and was the director of children's ministries at Kenilworth Union Church for 14 years. She has always been involved in music education and served at the Ryan Opera Center and on WFMT's Radio Committee.

Richard "Dick" Kiphart, a longtime Chicago investment banker, died last September at age 75. He joined William Blair & Company in 1969, eventually becoming head of Private Client Advisors and a member of the executive committee. He established deep roots in Chicago's civic community, providing board leadership for such organizations as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Erikson Institute, Merit School of Music, and the Poetry Foundation. He also served on the board of Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, among others. Both the Kipharts served on the board of the Interfaith Youth Core, supporting global health initiatives. They traveled regularly to Ghana and Nigeria to oversee projects to build water wells in villages and supported health and education initiatives for children.

In addition, the Music Institute acknowledges the 41-year legacy of Piano Department Chair Elaine Felderwith the Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence, an annual award to faculty members who exemplify the high standard of excellence Colburn demonstrated in his many musical endeavors.

Honorary Chairs for the Gala are Renée Fleming, Alexandra and John Nichols, and Lois M. and Harrison I. Steans. Gala Co-chairs are Renée and Lester Crown, Jim and Kay Mabie, and Cathy and Bill Osborn.

The generosity of individuals and companies who support the Music Institute's annual gala provide the primary source of scholarship and financial aid programs at the Music Institute's eight primary campuses, as well as through its extensive outreach programs in Chicago Public Schools and with community-based nonprofit organizations, which benefit more than 6,500 students annually.

Individual tickets to the Music Institute of Chicago's 87th Anniversary Gala are $550; table sponsorships are available for $5,500-50,000. For event information, please call 312.553.2000.

Music Institute of Chicago
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 ArtsLink program. The Music Institute offers lessons, classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall.

For information, visit musicinst.org.

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