Ravinia 2023 Issue 2

PLAY Programs that encourage students to PLAY instruments, develop their talents, and deepen their connection to music Sistema Ravinia orchestra students from Lake County and Chicago, including the newest program based in Lawndale, participate in workshops with Ravinia artists such as Marin Alsop, flutist Sir James Galway, violinist Ray Chen, and conductors Gustavo Dudamel (above) and Rafael Payare, who are themselves former students of El Sistema. Sistema Ravinia Inspired by the El Sistema music education model, which emphasizes both community building and musical excellence, orchestral training for 3rd–8th grade students fosters social development and creates pathways for continued success. Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop leads a Sistema Ravinia orchestra workshop in the Martin Theatre. Learning to play the bass, sight read, and conduct, our daughter has also learned to be more disciplined and focused, and it shows in her school life. I believe the orchestra program has played a major part in shaping who she is becoming: a phenomenal young woman, a scholar, and a very talented musician. — Sistema Ravinia orchestra parent Jazz Mentor Program Talented Chicago high school students who have a passion for jazz are mentored by an ensemble of the city’s finest musicians in the field, deepening their skills for performances, future professional studies, and music careers. Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School Through a partnership between Ravinia and Chicago’s North Lawndale community, rooted in mutual love for music, tuition-free programs provide opportunities for cultural enrichment and access to the arts for Lawndale’s children, adults, and families. Ravinia is proud to announce the completion of the Building the Future of Reach Teach Play campaign, which was launched to achieve two goals: to provide our heralded Reach Teach Play music education programs with the underpinning they need as they grow and inspire more children and families than ever before; and to develop a building on Ravinia’s campus that will be the nexus of Reach Teach Play, hosting much-needed office space for the staff with the renovation of an existing structure. We gratefully recognize the generous supporters of this campaign on page 57. Reach Teach Play has long been a source of great pride for Ravinia, from humble beginnings that provided access to concert tickets for those who otherwise would not be able to attend, to its current suite of twelve distinct programs that Reach out to new audiences, Teach the foundations of music, and encourage students to Play music. But despite the great success and impact of the programs, that growth had outpaced its funding. This campaign successfully raised over $10 million to right-size program operations so that they can springboard to even greater impact in the coming years. In this spirit of embrace and connection, the revitalized building is named The Harrison in honor of that great pillar of Ravinia, the late Harrison Steans. A Ravinia Life Trustee, Harrison matched his prowess in the world of finance with dedication to connecting communities of need to the resources of job training andculturalaccess,andthephilanthropicworkthatheandhisfamilyestablished in North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side led Ravinia to launch its Reach Teach Play programs there. He was proud of the way these initiatives flourished into what they are today, and we are honored to name this building for him. RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIA MAGAZINE 75