Ravinia 2022, Issue 3

Founded in 1988, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute is an international destination for young professional pianists and string players, classical singers, and jazz musicians devoted to uniquely honing and advancing their talents as collaborative artists. Every year, up to 65 musicians receive fellowships to focus on their professional training in one of RSMI’s intensive summer programs. Since opening its doors, RSMI has offered private coaching, master classes, and performance opportunities to over 1,500 exceptional musicians, many of whom have cultivated highly visible and successful careers in performance, leadership, and music education. In the past year, RSMI alumni have earned such honors as a Sphinx Venture Fund grant and appointments as Associate Artist of the London Symphony and violist of the Juilliard Quartet. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS RSMI welcomes back live and in-person audiences for a full lineup of concerts and master classes in Bennett Gordon Hall. All 2:00 p.m. afternoon concerts will be free and open to the public, as well as live streamed to Ravinia’s YouTube channel, while evening and special matinee performances will be a mix of free and ticketed events through the Ravinia Box Office. PROGRAM FOR JAZZ Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. * Bridges Competition Winners Friday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. * Jazz Grandstand PROGRAM FOR PIANO & STRINGS Friday, June 24, 2:00 p.m. Master Class with Gilbert Kalish Thursday, June 30, 2:00 p.m. Master Class with Timothy Eddy Friday, July 1, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 2, 2:00 p.m. The Music of Jessie Montgomery Friday, July 8, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. * Tuesday, July 12, 2:00 p.m. Master Class with Miriam Fried Thursday, July 14, 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 18, 6:00 p.m. * Tuesday, July 19, 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2:00 p.m. PROGRAM FOR SINGERS Wednesday, August 3, 2:00 p.m. Master Class with James Conlon Friday, August 5, 2:00 p.m. Master Class with Matthew Polenzani Saturday, August 6, 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 8, 6:00 p.m. Thursday, August 11, 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 6:00 p.m. * Saturday, August 20, 1:00 p.m. * Saturday in the Park with Sondheim, featuring Lee Musiker * Performances with $12 reserved seats available at the Ravinia Box Office Each spring for over 20 years, Miriam Fried, the longtime director of the Program for Piano & Strings, has brought together a chamber ensemble of recent alumni to perform a national concert tour. Intimate Learning Environment The hallmark of RSMI is not only the quality but also the selectivity and immersiveness of its programs. With 15 participants in the Program for Jazz, up to 35 in the Program for Piano & Strings, and 15 in the Program for Singers, fellowships in each program are highly sought after, and each fellow enjoys personalized guidance from the world-class faculty of headlining artists and scholars. Intimate Concert Repertoire Each of RSMI’s programs is devoted to small-group collaboration. The Program for Jazz comprises quintets playing original music instead of big bands and standards; the Program for Piano & Strings focuses on chamber music as opposed to concertos or orchestral works; and the Program for Singers emphasizes art song rather than opera, oratorio, or chorus. This repertoire is intentionally selected to provide particular musical growth opportunities in an atmosphere where fellows can focus completely on their craft and on the art of making music. Immersive, Inclusive Experience RSMI musicians each receive a fellowship to engage in a life-changing summer of professional studies and performances tuition-free. Fellows are invited to take full advantage of the myriad opportunities during their musical immersion at RSMI, including attending Ravinia concerts, working with the world-renowned faculty, and creating lasting connections with their peers. While at RSMI during the summer, young professional musicians develop their artistry through personalized guidance in private coaching sessions. Those moments are also turned outward to all the fellows and the public in master classes led by the faculty as well as special guests from Ravinia’s concert stages, including such artists as jazz bassist Linda May Han Oh ( above left ) and violinist Midori ( above right ). Both tenor Matthew Polenzani ( left ) and conductor James Conlon ( below ) return to the Program for Singers in early August. RAVINIA MAGAZINE • JULY 18 – JULY 31, 2022 76 RAV INI A S T EANS MUS I C INS T I TUT E