Ravinia 2024 Issue 1

SALUTE TO SPONSORS Julie Parsons Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Property-Liability Allstate Allstate is committed to ensuring all young people have access to programs that empower them to succeed and lead. We’re proud to partner with Ravinia again this year to support its Reach Teach Play programs that inspire Chicago’s youth to be creative, confident, optimistic leaders of tomorrow. Eric S. Smith Vice Chair BMO At BMO, our purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life reinforces our commitment to driving a thriving economy, a sustainable future, and an inclusive society for our customers and the communities we serve. We are proud to be a longtime supporter of Ravinia and its mission to enhance lives through the arts and ensure that music is accessible for all. We are thrilled that our continued partnership will help Ravinia reach a broad and more diverse audience through one of the community’s most anticipated summer events. Steven Schwartz President & CEO Midtown Athletic Clubs According to my sister, everyone needs a library card and a membership to a health club. Sound mind, sound body. To that I’d add, everyone needs a little Ravinia in the summer. Growing up within blocks of Ravinia, I loved the music I heard on summer afternoons as musicians rehearsed for each night’s performance. The music helped shape the community and brought friends together on summer nights. At Midtown, we are committed to creating clubs that bring family and friends together to work out, swim, play tennis and other sports, dine, shop, relax, and socialize. Located in Bannockburn, Chicago, Palatine, and Willowbrook, they are sports resorts right here at home. As a sponsor, Midtown takes pride in supporting the Ravinia Festival community as an extension of our belief that active, social people lead happier, healthier lives. Howard B. Chrisman, MD President & CEO Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Northwestern Medicine is proud to sponsor Ravinia Festival. As Chicago’s leading academic health system, we have a long-standing history of working alongside partners to invest in our communities and help remove barriers to better health and well-being. We are committed to partnering with organizations like Ravinia, working to empower through opportunity, because we believe stronger communities are Better communities. The Negaunee Foundation The Negaunee Foundation’s founder fell in love with outdoor music at Ravinia in the 1940s, a love affair without end. We are pleased to support Ravinia’s continued efforts to bring the magic of music to succeeding generations of children. Discover Discover is committed to supporting educational initiatives in our community. We are proud to support Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs and applaud them for providing access and sparking a curiosity in children to learn more about music. Best wishes for another successful season! Tim Crane President & CEO Wintrust Wintrust is proud to support the Ravinia Festival and the joy it brings to so many during the summer season. At Wintrust, we believe in supporting local organizations, such as Ravinia, that help make our communities stronger. Wintrust is a financial holding company providing commercial and community banking, wealth management and treasury management services, and mortgage origination. Wintrust Community Banks have more than 170 locations around Chicagoland, Wisconsin, northeastern Indiana, and southwestern Florida, including in Lake Forest, Highland Park, Northbrook, Wilmette, Chicago, and Schaumburg, to name a few. At a Wintrust Community Bank, you get the resources of a big bank with the exceptional service and community focus that can only come from a local community bank. In Memory of Keene H. Addington II The Keene H. Addington II memorial concert fund was established in 1995 in memory of Keene Addington, a former board member and dedicated supporter of Ravinia. A lifelong resident of the Chicago area and an energetic leader in both business and civic duties, Keene was passionate about Ravinia and its role in bringing world-class music to the Chicago area. Prior to his death, Keene was Campaign Chairman and Trustee for “Designs for the Future: Magnifying Ravinia’s Magic,” a major funding initiative in which he was a driving force behind its inception and success. As in all his endeavors, Keene Addington approached his participation in Ravinia with energy and determination. The Keene H. Addington II memorial fund is proud to participate in supporting Ravinia. The Sandra K. Crown Endowment for American Classic Music Theater in Honor of Sandra K. Crown Sandy has always believed that “the arts are the implicit language of peace in the world, with Ravinia the shining star.” When she was chairman of the Ravinia Women’s Board, the board began to fundraise. Her children worked with the board and with her when the board started the Friendship Booth, which evolved into Ravinia’s Festival Shop. Her children chose to honor her with a very generous gift to the endowment fund, in perpetuity. This gift helps support the Ravinia Festival and will be celebrated on June 23 as Michael Feinstein and the Carnegie Hall Big Band honor the music of longtime Ravinia shining star Tony Bennett. Ravinia is honored to recognize this year’s Breaking Barriers Festival Lead Sponsorship In Honor of Sandra K. Crown. Ralla Klepak Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts Ralla Klepak (1936–2019) was a fierce advocate, educator, and attorney. She sought out the disadvantaged and fought for those whose rights were being violated. As a performing arts enthusiast, Ralla passionately believed that providing disadvantaged youth and individuals with disabilities education and opportunities in the performing arts would fulfill her vision of bringing future generations together through a mutual appreciation and love for the performing arts. Her love for theater and music brought her joy, and she wanted to share that joy with others. The Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts funds performing arts programs that support her vision. These programs will be her legacy for years to come and her reputation of kindness and fighting for the disadvantaged will live on. RAVINIA.ORG  • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 31