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gpmf.org
The
Grant Park Orchestra
was formed in 1943 when the Chicago Park District
assembled a single resident orchestra under the direction of Principal Conductor
Nikolai Malko to perform at the Grant Park Music Festival (which began in 1935 and
featured a series of visiting orchestras). Since then, other prestigious conductors have
included Irwin Hoffman, Leonard Slatkin, David Zinman, Zdnek Macal and HughWolff.
In 2000, Carlos Kalmar was named the Festival’s Principal Conductor.
Today, the Grant Park Orchestra draws its musicians from different orchestras and
musical institutions throughout theUnitedStates. Eachsummer, theorchestramembers
gather in Millennium Park for a ten-week season consisting of intensive rehearsals
and performances. During the year, the musicians can be found across the country
performing with major orchestras, teaching at numerous universities and appearing
frequently in concert stages across the country. Organizations represented by Grant
Park Orchestra musicians include the Lyric Opera of Chicago, theMetropolitan Opera,
the Buffalo, Colorado, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Milwaukee, New Mexico, Phoenix,
Pittsburgh, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle and Utah Symphonies. The Grant Park
Orchestra was nominated for a Grammy award in 2004 for its CD entitled Robert
Kurka: Symphonic Works.
The 100+ member
Grant Park Chorus
was formed in 1962 by Thomas Peck,
who led the group until his death in 1994. His protégé Michael Cullen then led the
chorus until 1997, after which a series of guest conductors worked with the ensemble
until 2002 when an international search identified current chorus director, Christopher
Bell. In addition to providing artistic leadership to the Grant Park Chorus, Bell is also
founder of the Apprentice Chorale, which features some of the most talented young
vocalists from DePaul and Roosevelt Universities.
Winners of the 2006 Margaret Hillis Award for artistic excellence, the Grant Park
Chorus is a fully professional ensemble and the majority of the vocalists reside in
Illinois. In addition to frequent solo appearances and teaching careers, members
of the Grant Park Chorus perform with ensembles such as Chicago a Cappella, the
Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. In 2012, the Grant Park
Chorus released Songs of Smaller Creatures and other American Choral Works, a
recording of a cappella music to commemorate its 50th anniversary. This summer, the
Grant Park Chorus will perform at two iconic venues in Chicago neighborhoods: the
South Shore Cultural Center and the Columbus Park Refectory.
orchestra & chorus
