Upcoming Concerts

Subscription Series
Unapologetic

Celebrated artist Rachel Barton Pine joins Chicago Sinfonietta as guest soloist in the Chicago premiere of Florence Price's Violin Concerto No. 2 in this concert celebrating the unapologetic wonder of women and their talent, power and drive. Tania Leon's Stride also receives its Chicago premiere. Rimsky-Korsakov's popular and colorful Scheherazade, based on the tale The Arabian Nights, with its female protagonist, closes the evening.

The Program
Tania LEÓN Stride 
Florence PRICE Violin Concerto No. 2 
with guest artist violinist Rachel Barton Pine 
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade 

Tickets click here.

Community Programs

Chicago Sinfonietta honors Black History Month with a look at some of the Black composers whose work we have championed. Amongst them: American Florence Price - the first African-American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra - the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - in 1933. “a faultless work, a work that speaks its own message with restraint and yet with passion… worthy of a place in the regular symphonic repertoire.” stated the Chicago Daily News of the performance. Guest violinist Rachel Barton Pine solos in her Violin Concerto No. 2 in our upcoming "Unapologetic" concert this March 18 and 20. Follow us on Facebook to learn more.

Introducing Timnet Gedar

Meet The Social Science Research Center Fellow Conducting A Project On Chicago Sinfonietta's History And Work

Timnet Gedar is a historian with commitments to community engaged research and social justice. She holds an MS in Social Development Practice, and graduate certificates in African Studies and Museum Studies. Her work includes research, teaching, and practice in intellectual history, political and social movements, Black print cultures, museums, education, and community engagement. She is a daughter of Eritrea and a proud Chicagoan.

She describes her work:  "The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Arts Research with Communities of Color (ARCC) program seeks to apply social science research methods to understand and advance the arts field. As a part of the SSRC ARCC program, I have been paired with the Chicago Sinfonietta to conduct a year-long case study that highlights the organization’s history, culture, and context."

More to come -- stay tuned!

Chicago Sinfonietta Local Nominee

Chicago Sinfonietta Nominated By Chicago Reader As Best Classical Ensemble In Chicago For 2022

Exciting news! Chicago Sinfonietta has been nominated by Chicago Reader as Best Classical Ensemble in Chicago for 2022! Be sure to check out all the incredible nominees in all the categories, including Chicago Contemporary Dance, Museum of Science and industry, Ballet Chicago, and more! Vote for Chicago Sinfonietta as "Best Classical Ensemble" under MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE at https://chicagoreader.com/.../2022-ballot-voting.../...
Cast your vote before noon, Wednesday, February 15.

Our Newest Venue

Chicago Sinfonietta X Auditorium Theatre

Chicago Sinfonietta looks forward to you joining us at the Auditorium Theatre in 2023-24 - our newest venture and venue! We are excited about our collaboration with and new role as Resident Orchestra of Chicago's iconic Auditorium Theatre. Read more about it HERE and  HERE.

The Round Up

Jacqui Robertson, Board Member, Speaker At Cleveland Clinic Mlk Celebration 

Jacqui Robertson, CS Board member and Chief of Diversity and Inclusion for the Cleveland Clinic, recently served as a speaker at the organization's virtual 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration honoring his life and legacy.

Freeman Fellows

Yabetza Vivas Irizarry, Freeman Fellow, shared to Facebook, "Many colleagues have asked me how it is to work with Mei-Ann Chen. Well… it looks like this! Sheer passion!"

Jherrard Hardeman serves as cover conductor this month at Lyric Opera of Chicago for The Factotum.

Cleo Goldberg was featured in WXXI radio's Classical Musicians of African Descent at the end of January.

Glenn Alexander II is music director for  ANASTASIA the Musical touring nationally and to Canada January 3 - May 23, 2023. 

Community Programs

Chicago Sinfonietta's latest Melodic Lounge featured our elegant violinist Edith Yokely on Febraury 3. Visit our webpage here to learn more about this fantastic Community Program.

Music Director Mei-Ann Chen At Taiwan's Neiwei Arts Center - New Installation

Chicago Sinfonietta's Music Director Mei-Ann Chen is always doing what she does in Chicago - promoting music! She recently tried out the new Neiwei Arts Center sound installation - a unique "conduct the orchestra" installation - part of the City of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's efforts to bring more arts to the community.
Visit our Facebook page and scroll to January 26 to view the video and read the translation.

President & CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson served as a speaker at the 2023 Sphinx Conference

Congratulations to Chicago Sinfonietta's President & CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson, who recently appeared as a speaker at the recent 2023 Sphinx Conference. The topic of his speech: "What innovation in our field looks like for the next 25 years." Innovation, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, it's what we stand for.

Mr. Johnson appeared as a guest on Canton Symphony Orchestra's Orchestrating Change podcast. You can listen to the podcast here.

Upcoming In The Neighborhood

President and CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson will be a speaker host at Build, Inc.'s annual Black Table Luncheon, Monday February 20th at Macy's famous Walnut Room. Mr. Johnson will meet and talk with Black youth from across the city over a meal and discuss legacy, power, and inspiration. He'll also be a guest on the WBBM News radio podcast Courier Pigeon on March 9.

Maestra Mei-Ann Chen Will Conduct At Spoleto USA
If you are at Spoleto USA this summer, our Music Director guests on June 7th!

Happy Valentine's Day!