Duke It Out! Nutcracker - December 10, 2022

The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful to the following sponsors, whose generous support helps us to entertain, inspire, and educate through live music performed by both new emerging artists and the most established artists of our time.

This program is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Sponsorship opportunities range from concerts and performances, to the annual Gala, special capital projects, and community engagement initiatives.

Please contact the Development Office to learn more: 847.448.8323.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome! The 2022-23 season is one of spectacular diversity including chamber music, a Gospel tribute, romantic era piano repertoire, a family concert, MLK celebration, elegant jazz, and dynamic alumni performers – truly something for everyone.

There is no better place to hear a concert than Nichols Concert Hall. The pristine acoustics, Greek revival architecture, and welcoming hospitality, create an intimate and thoroughly satisfying listening experience.

I encourage you to share your Nichols Concert Hall experience with friends and colleagues. The Music Institute of Chicago regularly presents world-class musicians in a beautiful and conveniently located performance space, for a fraction of the cost of events in downtown Chicago. Nichols Concert Hall is a tremendous value.

The concert series is only one part of our mission, which is to lead people toward a lifelong engagement with music. The Music Institute of Chicago is a top-tier community music school, offering lessons and classes to thousands of students of all ages and levels. The Music Institute is also deeply committed to making music and music education accessible to people and communities who might not otherwise have access.

You can learn more about MIC’s many activities, register for lessons, and purchase tickets by visiting www.musicinst.org. I look forward to seeing you and your friends throughout the year at Nichols Concert Hall!

Mark George President and CEO Music Institute of Chicago

ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN VS. TCHAIKOVSKY

Program Director: John Schmitz, Dance Chicago

Curated by: Altin Naska

Ellington/Strayhorn Brass Quintet arrangement: James Stephenson

Quintet Attacca

Jennifer Clippert, flute

Andrew Nogal, oboe

Barbara Drapcho, clarinet

Galina Kiep, bassoon

Emma Sepmeier, horn

Braeburn Brass

Hamed Barbarji, trumpet

Greg Papaefthymiou, trumpet

Momoko H. Seko, horn Alex Ertl, trombone Wiatt Cariveau, tuba

Christian Moreno, drums • Doris Nagel, celeste

1. Waltz of the Snowflakes Tchaikovsky

Plainfield Dance Academy, Director: Altin Naska Dr. Drosselmeyer: Altin Naska

Dancers: Rebecca Taylor as Clara, with Olivia Bojrab, Jada Emeto, Chrissa Gallos, Sonia Garcia, Emma Jaromin, Eila Kinnard, Stephanie Schwarz, Drew Voss

2. Overture Tchaikovsky

Choreography: Altin Naska

Dancers: Case Prime as Nutcracker with Sophia de Leon Sanchez, Julio Alexander, Colin Pilotto, Augusta Clusen Moses, Iliana Banu, Victoria Bonura, Lauren Klainos, Melanie Koski, Elizabeth Huizenga, Mercedes Rojas

3. Overture —

Ellington/Strayhorn

Performances by: Tristan Bruns as Mouse King and Case Prime as Nutcracker

4. Mirliton — Tchaikovsky

Wheatland Dance Theater / Plainfield Dance Academy

Choreography: Olena Nalyvaiko after Marius Petipa

Dancers: Colin Pilotto with Emma Jaromin, Eila Kinnard

5. Toot Toot Tootie Toot Ellington/Strayhorn

Forum Dance Theatre, Artistic Director: Catie Deitz-Griffith

Choreography: Lindsey Beebe, Catie Deitz-Griffith, Julianne Deitz

Dancers: Kayla Hegge, Addison Henrichs, Jenna Heron, Kendall Hutson, Eva Keith, Melanie Koski, Megan LaCrosse, Skyla Matzat, Lydia Miller, Olivia Poell, Vernika Rao Kalipi, Gabriella Rojas, Mercedes Rojas, Rosemary Scarpelli, Marleigh Schau, Emily Weinstein

6. Chinese Dance Tchaikovsky

Wheatland Dance Theater, Artistic Director: Altin Naska Choreography: Olena Nalyvaiko

Dancer: Chrissa Gallos

7. Chinoserie — Ellington/Strayhorn

GUS® | GG Company, Artistic Director: Amy Paul Giordano Choreography: Nicole Belanger Weingarten, Lauren Giordano Whittington Dancers: Iliana Banu, Norah Bock, Lilly Cope, Augusta Clusen Moses, Shaolin Cuevas, Genna Fershee, Nyla Jackson, Emily Lhanang, Allison Mantz, Emily Martinez, Kassandra Nestle, Natalie Petersen, Anjelica Soto, Charlotte Smith, Sofia Uddin, Chelsea Warkentin

8. Arabian Dance — Tchaikovsky

Wheatland Dance Theater / Plainfield Dance Academy

Choreography: Altin Naska

Dancer: Rebecca Taylor, Julio Alexander with Charlotte Luhn, Advika Prasad

9. Arabesque Cookie Ellington/Strayhorn

Performance by: Sophia de Leon Sanchez Footprints Tap Ensemble, Director: Shelley Hoselton Artistic Director: Danielle Brooks

Choreography and performance by: Katarina Christofalos, Sofia Dawson, Zoe Easterberg, Jessica Gitzinger, Marissa Gitzinger, Lauren Klainos, Emily Porter, Landon Simecek

10. Spanish Dance — Tchaikovsky

Plainfield Dance Academy, Director: Altin Naska Choreography: Altin Naska

Dancers: Sonia Garcia with Olivia Bojrab, Madelyn Duker, Stephanie Schwarz, Drew Voss

11. Le Chocolat James M. Stephenson

Elevation Studio Company, Artistic Director: Catie Deitz-Griffith Choreography: Lindsey Bebe, Catie Deitz-Griffith, Julianne Deitz Dancers: Ellie Andrzejewski, Elizabeth Huizenga, Annika Jones, Annabelle Lillie, Annalise Mays, Maddie Omiotek, Jocelyn Ortega, Samantha Ortega, Kati Reinert, Evelyn Sobel

12. Sugar Plum Fairy – Tchaikovsky

Wheatland Dance Theater, Artistic Director: Altin Naska

Choreography: Olena Nalyvaiko after Marius Petipa

Dancer: Rebecca Taylor

13. Sugar Rum Cherry – Ellington/Strayhorn

GUS® | GG Company, Artistic Director: Amy Paul Giordano Choreography: Nicole Belanger Weingarten, Lauren Giordano Whittington Dancers: Iliana Banu, Norah Bock, Lilly Cope, Augusta Clusen Moses, Shaolin Cuevas, Genna Fershee, Nyla Jackson, Emily Lhanang, Allison Mantz, Emily Martinez, Kassandra Nestle, Natalie Petersen, Anjelica Soto, Charlotte Smith, Sofia Uddin, Chelsea Warkentin, Rachel Zwirn

14. Slavic Dance — Tchaikovsky

Envision Dance Collective, Artistic Director: Debbie Nowotnik Choreography: Altin Naska Dancers: Victoria Bonura, Jaylin Vong

15. Volga Vouty —

Ellington/Strayhorn

Forum Jazz Dance Theatre, Artistic Director: Catie Deitz-Griffith Choreography: Lindsey Beebe, Catie Deitz-Griffith, Julianne Deitz, Sinead Gildea Dancers: Zoe Easterberg, Jessica Gitzinger, Marissa Gitzinger, Kayla Hegge, Jenna Heron, Eva Keith, Melanie Koski, Megan LaCrosse, Olivia Poell, Emily Porter, Mercedes Rojas, Rosemary Scarpelli

16. Grand Pas de Deux — Tchaikovsky

Wheatland Dance Theater, Artistic Director: Altin Naska Choreography: Altin Naska after Marius Petipa Dancer: Rebecca Taylor, Colin Pilotto

(1840–1893)

Although young Tchaikovsky exhibited great interest and ability in music, his education prepared him for a career as a civil servant. At the time, there was scant opportunity for a musical career in Russia and no public music education system. However in 1861, Tchaikovsky learned that the Russian Musical Society offered classes. He began musical studies there and eventually graduated from the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in 1865.

Tchaikovsky went on to write symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and chamber music, and is now considered one of the great Romantic Era composers. Just two years before his death, Tchaikovsky was commissioned by the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa to write music for a ballet based on E.T.A Hoffman’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King . The show premiered in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet. The work made its way to Western Europe in the 1930’s and to America by 1940. The Nutcracker has since become a popular annual holiday tradition.

DUKE ELLINGTON (1899–1974) BILLY STRAYHORN (1915–1967)

Both Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn began their music studies on piano. Ellington, originally from Washington D.C. and Strayhorn from Pittsburgh, first met in 1938 and began their long collaboration shortly thereafter. Considered among the most original and influential American composers, their long parternship flourished after Strayhorn moved to New York and joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Working together, Ellington and Strayhorn wrote hundreds of enduring compositions. Their music extended beyond jazz to blues, gospel, and classical music. Though they are most famous for their jazz writing for big band, they also composed for film, theater, and dance.

In 1960, Ellington recorded jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, arranged by Ellington and Strayhorn for the Columbia label.

JOHN SCHMITZ is the founder and artistic director of is the founder and artistic director of Dance Chicago and it’s producer, Emergence Dance Theatre. As a performer Schmitz has danced and choreographed both nationally and internationally including Paris premieres: 1989 at Cafe de la Danse and 1992 at Theatre des Amandiers. From 1985-1995 his company, Emergence created over 60 multi-image / film dance interactive works including three manifestations of Carmina Burana. He has been producing inventive dance events for over forty years, promoting alliances and collaborations between artists and dance organizations both nationally and internationally. Locally he has managed Ballet Chicago, Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, The Joel Hall Dancers, The Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble, Rockford Dance Company, as well as Emergence Dance Theatre. In 1995, he was honored as one of Chicago Tribune’s “Chicagoans of the Year.” In 1998 he received a Ruth Page Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Dance Community”, and in 2006 his Dance Chicago was honored with The Columbia College Arts Entrepreneurship of the Year Award. That same year, he created the Dutch National Ballet Project, matching Chicago choreographers with an ensemble of DNB dancers. Schmitz partnered with Altin Naska in two special Dance Chicago tours: Tirana, Albania (2003) and Istanbul Turkey (2005). Since 2011 he has served as president of Athenaeum Theatre Productions, the management corporation of Chicago’s Athenaeum Theatre.

ALTIN NASKA is an internationally known, award winning choreographer, dancer, and master teacher with over three decades of performing and teaching experience in Europe and the United States.

He was soloist with Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, the Istanbul City Theater in Turkey, and a soloist with Tirana State Opera and Ballet in his native Albania. Naska graduated from the Albanian Arts Conservatory and also studied choreography at the Tirana Institute of Arts. After moving to Chicago in 1999, he performed with the national and international tour companies Thodos Dance Chicago and Mordine & Company to name a few, and guest in several suburban productions of “Nutcracker.” His choreography credit include Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances 20002003, The Dutch National Ballet’s 2004 New Voices program, The Joffrey Ballet dancers for Dance Chicago 2005 Choreography Project, Stars of Dance Chicago 2006 – 2016, Chicago Dance Theatre, as the Artistic Director for 2007 season, SPACE Conservatory as co-founder and director 2005-2015 and Wheatland Dance Theater as the Artistic Director since 2016.

Naska is recognized for his fusion of ballet, character and modern techniques and has taught master classes and workshops all around Chicago-area, nationally and internationally. In 2003, he was honored with Albania’s highest artistic achievement award for his choreography and outstanding professional career overseas. In 2007 he received the Dance Chicago’s Outstanding Choreography Award, and in 2012 was chosen as one of the 100 success stories of Albanian Excellence.

Currently, besides owning and directing Plainfield Dance Academy, Naska serves in several NFP dance organizations including co-founder and artistic director of the International Dance Embassy, an organization committed to honor and celebrate culturally diverse forms of dance through presentation, education and support of local artists, Executive and Artistic Director of Wheatland Dance Theater, a youth dance company affiliated with PDA with mission to foster a passion for artistic dance, to increase the community’s cultural awareness, Director of Cultural Exchange of Dance Chicago and Artistic and Touring Director of the Stars of Dance Chicago.

BRAEBURN BRASS

Based in Chicago, Illinois the chamber ensemble was first established in Appleton, Wisconsin at the 2019 Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar. Braeburn has found success in their acceptances to the Aspen Music Festival, Fresh Inc Festival. In addition, they were featured in the 2020 virtual Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar. The ensemble has premiered works such as Improv Take II by Benjamin Palmateer, Broad Street by Ryne Siesky, and Wind, Waves, and Web by Spencer Arias. Dedicated to expanding the brass repertoire, the Braeburn Brass have been involved in numerous commissions and consortiums.

QUINTET ATTACCA

Founded in 1999, Quintet Attacca is one of Chicago's most dynamic chamber music ensembles. Grand Prize Winner and Wind Division Gold Medal Winner of the 2002 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the quintet spent 2006-2009 as the Chicago Chamber Musicians' Professional Development Program Ensemble. Quintet Attacca is also proud to be in residence at the Music Institute of Chicago, offering performances, family programming, chamber music coaching and individual lessons. Quintet Attacca is an ensemble dedicated to bringing the unique sound of the wind quintet to all types of audiences. Quintet Attacca has reached audiences from Italy (at the 2003 Emilia Romagne Festival) to New York (at the Schneider Concerts Series at the New School) to concert halls all over Chicagoland as well as many live broadcasts on WFMT. Recent performances include a residency with Chamber Music Society of Detroit, C3 Composers at Constellation, and Chamber Music on the Fox. Priding itself on its innovative programming, Quintet Attacca enjoys presenting concerts that are both accessible and cutting-edge. Programs span from Classical and Romantic eras to jazz and Latin influenced works and include pieces of today’s leading composers as well. Additionally, six works have been written for the quintet: David Smooke's Trompe L'oeil , Collin Anderson's Tangram , Rami Levin’s Danças Brasilieras and Portraits , Dana McCormick's Two Episodes for Wind Quintet , and Daniel Asia’s Chicago Variations.

FRIENDS OF THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

The Music Institute grateful for every gift. The following friends made contributions of $5,000 or more between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.

$100,000 or more

The Negaunee Foundation Alexandra C.* and John D. Nichols

$50,000 to $99,999

John and Pauline Fife ITW Barbara A. Speer

$25,000 to $49,999

The Grainger Foundation

Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation Susan Kiphart Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Scott and Nancy Santi Catherine M. and Frederick H. Waddell The Wallace Foundation

$10,000 to $24,999

Anonymous Abbott Abbvie

Dr. Prema Abraham and Dr. Jim Buchanan Paul M. Angell Family Foundation BMO

Rita and John Canning, The Canning Foundation

The Crown Family Edwardson Family Foundation Linda and Bill Gantz Hans* and Denitta Germann Mona Golub

Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel Jr. Dan* and Yoo Mi Hahn

Harris Family Foundation

J. Thomas Hurvis and Ann Andersen Illinois Arts Council Agency Hans and Angela Jostlein Ethelle Katz Susan R. Kiphart Mrs. Paul Klimstra Tom* and Joyce Leddy Jim and Kay Mabie Family*

Make It Better Foundation Robert R. McCormick Foundation Brenna and John D. Nichols III Northern Trust Corporation Cathy and Bill Osborn Renée Parquette*

Timothy Patenode* and Judy Royal Michael and Cari Sacks Barbara* and Peter Sereda Sidley Austin LLP Liz Stiffel

Jim Stone* Pam and Russ Strobel The John Taylor Family Underwriters Laboratories Zalman* and Karen Usiskin Scott* and Areta Verschoor

$5,000- $9,999

Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation Beth and Chuck Boehrer Michael and Laura Boutross Dr. Tanya L. Carey Lawrence Corry

Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation

Thomas L. and Patricia S. Gahlon

Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross

John R. Halligan Charitable Fund

Lauren and Blake Harper

Courtney Holohan* and Wesley Mueller

Erin and Wellington Hsu

Jane Irwin

Karen and Mark Koulogeorge

KPMG

Sylvia M. Neil and Dan Fischel

Nancy and Marc Poggioli

Sargent Family Foundation

Dr. Scholl Foundation

Jennifer Steans and Jim Kastenholz

Lee Anne* and Rich Stoddart

Bob and Gael Strong

Audrey Weaver

David* and Eileen Zampa Helen Zell

* Trustee

Make Music. Make Friends. Build Confidence.

Visit : musicinst.org/giving Your support helps provide high-quality music teaching, performing, and service activities for thousands of Chicagoland residents each year.

Contributions of all sizes support our shared commitment to educate and inspire musicians and music lovers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, regardless of experience or financial means.

Make your gift today!

musicinst.org/giving

ONE COMPOSER, ONE COMMUNITY

First launched in 2021, One Composer, One Community (OCOC) focuses on the life and work of a single, often underrepresented BIPOC composer over the course of an academic year. This composer’s work is featured on the Nichols Concert Hall series as well as in other special events, including gatherings to discuss aspects of the composer’s life and music through autobiographical, biographical, or critical writing, as well as though active music listening.

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS

(1887-1959)

This year we celebrate the life and work of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Considered the single most significant creative figure in 20th century Brazilian art music, Villa-Lobos synthesized contemporary European techniques with elements of national music to create his unique compositional style. A prolific composer, Villa-Lobos penned more than 2,000 orchestral, chamber, instrumental, and vocal works.

Holiday Gift Certificates

Give the gift of music!

Few things can transform lives and bring comfort and joy the way music can.

This holiday season, purchase a gift certificate and bring music into the life of someone you love.

Lessons and lessons are available at campuses in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Winnetka.

Or, treat friends or family to an amazing concert experience at beautiful and historic Nichols Concert Hall.

Available through Friday, December 23, 2022.

musicinst.org/gift-certificates

1. If you arrive after the performance has begun, please wait in the lobby. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house manager. If you must leave early, please do so between pieces out of consideration for the artists and other audience members.

2. The box office will be open one hour prior to the performance. All patrons must have a ticket in order to be admitted into the concert.

3. Photography and audio/video recordings of performances is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from the Director of Operations.

4. Smoking is strictly prohibited by law in Nichols Concert Hall or within 20 feet of the building.

5. Restrooms are located on the lower level and may be accessed by using the stairs or the elevator. All facilities are disability accessible.

6. The presenter reserves the right to ask anyone disrupting the event in any way to leave the hall.

7. In the event of an emergency, please notify the house manager or nearest usher.

Nichols Concert Hall, opened in May, 2003, quickly established itself as one of Chicago’s premier venues for chamber music performances. Originally designed as a First Church of Christ, Scientist in 1912 by renowned Chicago architect Solon S. Beman, the building was sensitively restored as a state-of-the-art, 550 seat concert hall and music education center. The converted building received the Richard H. Driehaus Award for best adaptive use by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. Music Critics, audiences and performers have hailed the excellent acoustics and elegant vaulted beauty of Nichols Concert Hall.

Nichols Concert Hall is located in the heart of downtown Evanston on the northeast corner of Chicago Avenue and Grove Street. Metered and non-metered parking is available and several public garages are within a two-block radius. Numerous restaurants are within easy walking distance. Conveniently located near the Davis Street CTA and Metra stations, Nichols Concert Hall is disability accessible.

For rental and booking information, please contact us: 847.448.8329 or visit: nicholsconcerthall.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES

Scott Verschoor, Chair

Alexandra C. Nichols, Chair Emerita

Tom Leddy, Treasurer

Barbara Sereda, Secretary

Lee Anne Stoddart, Vice Chair

Carlos R. Cárdenas, CPA

Hans Germann

Daniel Hahn

Courtney Holohan

Kay Mabie

Yana Nedvetsky

Renée Parquette

Timothy Patenode

James H. Stone

Ross Updegraff

Zalman Usiskin

Audra Wilson

David Zampa

Florian Zettelmeyer

LIFE TRUSTEES

John J. Berwanger

Gilbert W. Bowen

Mitzi Freidheim

Brooks Morgan

Rachel Barton Pine

Betsey L. Puth

Priscilla F. Richman

William N. Topaz

EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES

Jennifer Koh

Nina Kraus

Christopher Rintz

Deborah F. Rutter

THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music through unparalleled teaching, exceptional performances, and valuable service initiatives that educate, inspire, and build strong, healthy communities.

Since its founding in 1931, the Music Institute’s commitment to innovation, access, and excellence has served as an important community resource and helps to ensure music is available to everyone. Each year, the Music Institute provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across eight Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, and Winnetka, as well as online.

In addition, the Music Institute brings music education, arts curriculum integration, professional development, and music performance and engagement opportunities to thousands in the Chicago area; offers scholarship opportunities to students in its Community School and its Academy, a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players; and welcomes thousands of visitors annually for performances, master classes, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall.

For more information: musicinst.org • 847.905.1500