Music Institute of Chicago Hosts Organ Invitational Recital To Benefit Homeless

The Music Institute of Chicago presents acclaimed organists from Evanston's houses of worship in concert Sunday, November 13 at 3 p.m. on the gloriously restored, three manual E.M. Skinner pipe organ at Nichols Concert Hall.

The Music Institute is presenting this special concert to raise awareness about the scourge of hunger and food insecurity in the community and will contribute 100 percent of the proceeds to support Connections for the Homeless and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The program includes:
• Eric Budzynski, organist and music associate for Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern University in Evanston
• Dr. Robert Horton, organist and choirmaster at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Evanston
• Dr. John W.W. Sherer, director of music and organist at Fourth Presbyterian Church in 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 our 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, our 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, our education and performance center located in downtown Evanston, reaches approximately 14,000 people each year. Our 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 organ invitational recital benefit takes place Sunday, November 13 at 3 p.m. at the Music Institute of Chicago's Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, available at musicinst.org or 847.905.1500 ext. 108.