Ravinia 2023 Issue 2

PAVILION 11:00 AM SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2023 NATIONAL SEMINARIO RAVINIA ORCHESTRA CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC MARIN ALSOP, Ravinia Chief Conductor JONATHAN RUSH, Lead Seminario Conductor National Seminario Ravinia: Orchestras for All SIMON Motherboxx Connection * (from Tales: A Folklore Symphony ) Chicago Philharmonic; Jonathan Rush GARROP Blurrr * Chicago Philharmonic; Marin Alsop RAVEL Boléro (An Introduction to the Orchestra) * (arr. Wittry) Orchestras side-by-side; Jonathan Rush PINEDA Orchestras for All ° Commissioned for National Seminario Ravinia Orchestras side-by-side; Jonathan Rush BEETHOVEN An Ode to Joy Festival (arr. Parrish) Orchestras side-by-side; Marin Alsop KOOL & THE GANG Celebration (arr. Henderson) Orchestras side-by-side; Jonathan Rush There will be no intermission in this program. ° World premiere performance * First performance at Ravinia Ravinia expresses its appreciation for the generous support of the Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts as Presenting Sponsor of National Seminario Ravinia. Ravinia extends special thanks to National Seminario Ravinia Program Partners Chicago Philharmonic and El Sistema USA . NATIONAL SEMINARIO RAVINIA Students coming together for learning, community, and performance July 5–8, 2023 at Ravinia Festival Inspired by Chief Conductor Marin Alsop’s artistic vision, Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs this week hosted National Seminario Ravinia, a gathering of students from El Sistema-inspired organizations. Over 130 young musicians from 15 states and Canada—selected through a collaborative noimination process—participated in four days of orchestral training and mentorship from members of Chicago Philharmonic, culminating in this concert featuring the Seminario students in a side-by-side orchestra with the renowned ensemble. Additionally, in partnership with El Sistema USA, Ravinia provided a series of professional development workshops for teaching artists and administrators from the participating organizations. “The opportunity to work with students so dedicated to boosting their life skills through the universal language of music is as important to me as leading any orchestra. I’m thrilled to have time over these four days to also meet with the educators who are such crucial mentors for these young people, supporting their personal growth and affirming that they are welcome and, in fact, already a cherished part of this national community of musicians.” – Marin Alsop, Ravinia Chief Conductor “Sistema-trained students bring pure passion to their music; it’s instantly inspiring. There’s an energy, in the middle of them onstage, that Chicago Philharmonic and I are excited to fortify, so that the students can experience being peers with not only these professional musicians, but young people from across the country who share this spirit. Meeting with their conductors as well will be a wonderful chance to exchange and develop ideas to focus the enthusiasm and the talent of their student musicians.” – Jonathan Rush, Lead Seminario Conductor “We are honored to partner with Ravinia to support the National Seminario Ravinia. Our vision at Chicago Philharmonic is to create a more inclusive future for symphonic music, and investing upstream in the next generation of musicians is essential to this mission.” – Terell Johnson, Chicago Philharmonic Executive Director About Reach Teach Play Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs serve thousands of young people across the Chicago area each year. Reach Teach Play’s many offerings provide underserved children and families with music education and live music performances in their schools, communities, and at Ravinia through a portfolio of high-quality and inclusive programs, including Sistema Ravinia. This transformational orchestral program fosters social development year-round through daily small-ensemble and orchestral training for 4th–12th grade students in Chicago and Lake County public schools. National Seminario Ravinia extends the vision of Reach Teach Play to open doors where everyone can access and experience the positive impact of music and create pathways for continued success. “Bringing this diverse group of kids together from around the country is such a special experience,” said Christine Taylor Conda, Director of Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs. “We hope that students will see that this movement, El Sistema, is much larger and more connected than just their local ensemble or community, that they will be challenged musically, and that they will develop lasting friendships.” RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIA MAGAZINE 25