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2017 IMPACT REPORT
Dear Friends, On behalf the Music Institute of Chicago, thank you. Thank you for sharing in the Music Institute’s vision to cultivate a community dedicated to the idea that music can inspire and enrich lives. At the 2017 Anniversary Gala held in May, Susie Kiphart graciously accepted the Music Institute’s eighth annual Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago. In her remarks, she noted that, ”to a great extent, whatever the question, the answer just might be music.” The Music Institute’s Faculty, Staff, and Board of Trustees could not agree more. We are delighted to share the enclosed report, which underlines Mrs. Kiphart’s inspiring words and highlights the direct impact you – through your friendship and support – have made on our ability to provide the highest quality musical instruction in the Chicago area, and reach individuals with music education where opportunities are limited. Enjoying and understanding music, and developing skills to create and perform music, enhances our quality of life and nourishes the human spirit.
To a great extent, whatever the question, the answer just might be music. What engages us? What heals us? What raises test scores? What keeps children in school? What calms violence? What brings people together from all corners of our society and our world? What awakens joy and hope? What is fun? What improves cognition and instills discipline? What grows the heart? What is meaningful? What is the language of peace?
Each year, you make our community stronger and the work we do possible. Together, we are making a difference. Thank you. Sincerely,
Scott Verschoor Mark George Chair, Board of Trustees President and CEO
Susie Kiphart, recipient of the 2017 Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago
MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO 210 total employees 1 new Chicago campus
8 CAMPUSES
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL 2,013 students 72% of MIC’s 188 faculty have worked at MIC 10+ years 83% of faculty hold masters degrees in music 55 years - longest serving faculty member, Stan Davis
ARTSLINK 3 Chicago Public Schools across 20 classrooms 700 students across 8 weeks of programming
ACADEMY
43,993 TOTAL HOURS INSTRUCTION
40,000+ STUDENTS REACHED SINCE 1996
29
3 countries and 8 states represented 21 live performances on public radio programs
NICHOLS CONCERT HALL 600 total concerts and events each year 487 free tickets extended for Faculty and Guest Artist Series 21 Music Institute of Chicago events
ACADEMY FELLOWS
15,000+ ATTENDEES
NINA KRAUS, Ph.D.
“Not only does music instruction improve communication skills and create a brain and nervous system that is more attuned to sound, which is important for both music and language," says Nina, “music can fundamentally alter the nervous system to create better learners.”
Professor of Neurobiology & Physiology, Otolaryngology and Hugh Knowles Chair, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University The Music Institute of Chicago was pleased to welcome Nina Kraus, scientist, inventor, and amateur musician, to the Board of Trustees as an ex officio member in 2017. According to Nina, her earliest memories are rooted in sound, growing up in a multilingual, musical household. The recognition of the power of sound as a means of communication, a vector for learning, and as a source of joy led Nina to a career studying the biology of sound, and in particular its role in communication. She began her career recording responses from the rabbit auditory cortex and was one of the first to show that the adult nervous system has the potential for reorganization following learning; these insights in basic biology galvanized her to investigate auditory learning in humans. Through a series of innovative studies involving thousands of research participants from birth to age 90, her research has found that our lives in sound, for better (musicians, bilinguals, auditory training) or worse (learning disabilities, aging, hearing loss), shape auditory processing. To learn more, visit: brainvolts.northwestern.edu
Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory Discoveries Engaging in musical activity enhances neural encoding of music and speech – in other words, engagement with music strengthens the brain systems required for listening and language. Musicians have the ability to better hear speech in noise, and have better auditory attention and memory.
Stronger cognitive skills across the lifespan may contribute to stronger speech sound processing later in life and protect musicians from age-related neural declines. Early music experience has a positive effect on the adult brain whether the person continues or not – effects that may be felt for up to 40 years after music lessons stop!
Nina is the lead researcher of the Harmony Project, a year-round, intensive music program providing free instruments (violin, cello, or bass) and music instruction to students from underserved communities if they promise to stay in school. Students at every skill level devote at least five hours per week to their music, including Saturday band and/or orchestra programs. While there have been a number of studies documenting the positive effects of music lessons on the brain, there have been few controlled, longitudinal studies like Harmony Project. Nina’s model focuses on the neurological impact of school and community-based music training, as opposed to private music lessons, particularly on lower-income students who have not previously had access to music education. The project tracks how the brain processes sound, and how it influences classroom and language skills among elementary school kids enrolled in the Harmony Project. Nina is also evaluating the impact of public school-based music instruction on adolescent brain development in a multi-year study focusing on inner-city high school students in Chicago.
After only two years of study, Harmony Project researchers discovered that music instruction not only improved children’s communication skills, attention, and memory, but that it may even close the academic gap between rich and poor students.
Nina is a big proponent of community music programs, which she has found to be an exciting model to offer widespread music training and support underserved children. Community-based programs bring together groups of children from all backgrounds, channeling their creativity and energy away from damaging alternatives, and instilling benefits in children that set them up for better learning in and out of the classroom. Past research suggest that these programs accomplish more than providing children with an enjoyable activity—participants stay and do well in school, and pursue post-secondary education more frequently than their peers.
IN THE COMMUNITY The Music Institute of Chicago welcomed Victor Ribadeneyra as the new Manager of Community Engagement in Fall 2017. In this role, Victor will focus on helping teachers, students, parents, and the community at large to learn about the diversity of programs offered by the Music Institute, beyond private music lessons. Initiatives include: • Instrument petting zoos • Free workshops and sectionals for K-8 students
• Around Town concerts • Music for Life
Victor (far right), a trombonist and graduate of Indiana University (music education and jazz studies), with winners of the Winnetka Youth Organization “Battle of the Bands.” Victor served as a judge in the competition and presented MIC music lesson certificates to the first place winners.
What’s Music for Life?
LISTEN
LEARN
EXPLORE
Led by Matt Boresi, Director of Arts Integration, Music for Life is a free library program piloted in 2017 that offers a multi-modal educational experience to children ages 4-8 and their families. Participants enjoy live performances of classical music coupled with culturally or historically relevant visual art, movement, or dramatic activity. This popular program will continue with additional events planned for the 2017-2018 school year at the Highland Park Public Library, Vernon Area Public Library, and more.
94 participants across 4 events at the Vernon Area and Lake Forest Public Libraries
To learn more, visit: musicinst.org/2017impactreport
What’s Third Coast Suzuki Strings? In collaboration with McCormick Tribune YMCA, this first-class, tuition-free Suzuki Program offers private violin and viola instruction and performance The program opportunities for up to 14 students from the provides 1 - 1.25 hrs Logan Square and Humboldt Park communities, private & group where 34% of residents live instruction per week, for below the poverty line. 37 weeks.
“We are so grateful for this partnership with the Music Institute of Chicago and the opportunity given to our community, ” said David Rodriguez, Executive Director, McCormick Tribune YMCA. He continued, “Third Coast Suzuki Strings gives youth in our community the rare opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, which has many benefits and can bring joy to them and their family.” Students develop skills required by Illinois State Learning Standards in the Fine Arts, particularly music.
KARIN ADDIS Violin, viola, chamber music, Third Coast Suzuki Strings Joined MIC in 2012 “It’s been wonderful to see everyone grow together. We have smaller group classes during the year, but every spring we work together...and I’m always blown away by not only the individual progress, but the teamwork as an ensemble. Every child should have an opportunity to study music – it brings so much more than music to their lives: problemsolving, attention to detail, concentration, working in a group, building confidence, as well as growing life-long friendships. I’m thrilled that I am able to be part of a program that can offer these things to students.”
SUZUKI
169 violin 95 piano 84 cello 17 viola 12 guitar 15 flute 2 string bass 394 Suzuki students
AVI FRIEDLANDER Director of the Barston Suzuki Center, cello faculty • Joined MIC in 2017 Avi joined the Music Institute as the Director of the Barston Suzuki Center and member of the cello faculty in Summer 2017. Avi is the founder and former director of the Suzuki Talent Education Program of Birmingham, an active ice hockey player, and his favorite musical moment was performing at Carnegie Hall. “I want people to know how high of a level we have of teaching at the Music Institute. It is rare to have so many faculty members with as much training as we do. In fact, the Music Institute has one of the only programs in the country with six Suzuki teacher trainers on staff,” says Avi.
“All these teachers focus on teaching the person, not just the instrument and this is one of the strongest points of the Suzuki method. As a Suzuki teacher, we are able to impact lives and communities by being a positive force in the lives of students.”
Suzuki students represent 20% of all Community Music School students
“If we are able share with students the love and art portrayed in music, we will be able to truly impact communities and the world in a positive way, which was Suzuki’s vision.” To learn more, visit: musicinst.org/2017impactreport
HORACIO CONTRERAS Academy cello faculty • Joined MIC in 2017 Horacio started playing cello in the “El Sistema” music education program in Venezuela, and continued his studies in France, Spain, and at the University of Michigan. He is a faculty member at Lawrence University and joined the Academy faculty in Spring 2017.
“Teaching is my passion and my way to give back to young students some of what I have received. Working with highly talented young students in the Academy is both challenging and rewarding because of the responsibility it entails. They hand me their trust and I need to invest everything I can to help them develop as much as possible.” “The quality of the Academy Fellows surprises me every day. Earlier this year, I was astonished when I attended the finals of the junior division of the M-Prize Chamber Music Competition in Ann Arbor. Every group that made it to the finals was from the Music Institute’s Academy, and I would have given the first prize to all of them as they achieved such a high level,” said Contreras. “Everybody knows the Academy is at the very top of classical music training, but the human quality of the faculty, the staff, and the students also makes this very highlevel experience one that positively impacts the human while shaping the artist.”
ACADEMY 33 medals earned at national competitions
9 medals earned at international competitions
2 Academy alumni
continue 3-year residencies at the Chamber Music Society Lincoln Center, NYC
1 Fellow named U.S. Presidential
Scholar in the Arts (20 total nationwide)
87TH ANNIVERSARY GALA HONORARY CHAIRS Renée Fleming, Alexandra and John Nichols, and Lois M. and Harrison I. Steans
GALA CO-CHAIRS Renée and Lester Crown, Jim and Kay Mabie, and Cathy and Bill Osborn
Joseph Lovett Elementary School students, who worked with MIC teaching artists through an 8-week residency program
On May 15, the Music Institute hosted nearly 300 guests at a festive gala celebration highlighting the diversity of programs, students, faculty, and supporters who comprise the MIC community. Through table sponsors, ticket sales, and outright contributions, the Music Institute raised $800,000 to provide scholarship and financial aid and underwrite its extensive outreach programs in the Chicago Public Schools.s.
DUSHKIN AWARD Rachel Barton Pine
CULTURAL VISIONARY AWARD FOR CHICAGO Susan and Richard (in memory) Kiphart
RICHARD D. COLBURN AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE Elaine Felder
l to r: Rachel Barton Pine, John D. and Alexandra C. Nichols, and Susan Kiphart Vieira String Quartet, MIC Academy
l to r: MIC piano students Anna Ziv, Ryan Lee, Board Chair Scott Verschoor, and Colburn Award recipient Elaine Felder
ALUMNI DARIUS MATACHE
2017 FISCAL YEAR REPORT (unaudited) Operating Budget: $6,087,409
MIC piano student, class of 2017
Operating Revenue & Support
Darius Matache, former piano student of Dr. Ruti Abramovitch, was the longest standing scholarship recipient at the Music Institute’s Gratz Center campus in downtown Chicago.
“Being a scholarship student at MIC was a great honor and big stepping stone in my music career. I am currently a music major at North Park University and can’t wait to see what the future will bring. Thank you MIC!”
Net Assets: $8,721,370
$260,000 IN TUITION ASSISTANCE
4.0% 2.4%
Net Tuition & Fees 22.4% Contributions Earned Income & Other Endowment Income
AWARDED TO
183 COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL STUDENTS 71.3%
$130,000 Operating Expenses
Program Costs Management & General Occupancy Fundraising
AWARDED IN MERIT
6.3%
SCHOLARSHIPS TO
8.4%
29 ACADEMY FELLOWS
27.6%
57.7%
“I strongly believe music is something meant to be shared and appreciated by everyone.” To learn more, visit: musicinst.org/2017impactreport
Angela Lee, MIC Suzuki cello student, class of 2017 and two-year Ilan Hurtado Scholarship award recipient
Friends of the Music Institute of Chicago The Music Institute gratefully acknowledges the following friends who made contributions of $100 or more between September 1, 2016 and August 31, 2017:
$100,000 or more Alexandra C.* and John D. Nichols
$50,000 TO $99,999
Mr. Edgar D. Jannotta, Sr. The Negaunee Foundation
$25,000 TO $49,999
Abbott Catherine and Bryan Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur H. Gantz The Harris Family Foundation Bev and Warren Hayford Tom Hurvis Illinois Tool Works Inc. Jim and Kay* Mabie Northern Trust Corporation Cathy and Bill Osborn Polk Bros. Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Ptak/ The Marmon Group Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick G. Ryan Sage Foundation The Wallace Foundation
$10,000 TO $24,999 A.D. Johnson Foundation Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Baker & McKenzie LLP
BMO Harris Bank Gil* and Marlene Bowen Ms. Maya Buchanan The Canning Foundation The Crown Family Dover Corporation Mr. and Mrs. John A. Edwardson Mary Ann Anderson Chartoc Feeney Trust Mr. John H. Hart and Ms. Carol Prins The Irving Harris Foundation Illinois Arts Council Barbara Jane Irwin* Kohl Feinerman Family Charitable Trust KDWC Ventures KPMG Mr. John H. Krehbiel, Jr. and Mrs. Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel Mr. Barry L. MacLean MPA Healthcare Solutions Rachel Barton Pine* and Gregory Pine Ms. Alison Leeds Puth David and Leslie Puth Mr. Jonathan C. Puth and Ms. Maroudia F. Courpas Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Steans Lee Anne* and Rich Stoddart William Blair Mr. William E. Wolf and Ms. Meredith Bluhm-Wolf Helen and Sam Zell
$5,000 TO $9,999 Mr.* and Mrs. Christopher G. Bird Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carlton Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Columbia College Chicago Exelon Mr. and Mrs.* Cyrus F. Freidheim, Jr. Thomas* and Patricia Gahlon Geraldi Norton Foundation Andi and Jim Gordon, The Edgewater Funds Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross Abe and Carolyn Haddad Ethelle Katz Mrs. Susan R. Kiphart Mrs. Dolores Kohl Kaplan Ms. Sylvia Neil and Mr. Dan Fischel Mr. and Mrs. Norman Olson John and Betsey* Puth The Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation Diana and Bruce Rauner Mr. and Mrs. John W. Rowe Barbara* and Gene Schmitt The Smith-Davis-Morse Group Jane Arries Solomon Steans Family Foundation Bob and Gael Strong Mr. and Mrs. John W. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Thomas Mr. Scott Verschoor*
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Waddell The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Incorporated Wintrust Commercial Banking Mr.* and Mrs. David J. Zampa
$1,000 TO $4,999 Anonymous (6) Mr. and Mrs. G. Marshall Abbey Keiko and Jeff Alexander The Allyn Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John Amboian Ann and Arnie Berlin Better Business Planning Dr. Tanya L. Carey Sally and Don Cooke Lawrence O. Corry Mr. James H. Davis Mr. and Mrs. David Dees Mr. and Mrs. Byram E. Dickes Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Ellis Evanston Arts Council Elaine Felder Carol A. and Edward G. Finnegan, Jr. First Bank & Trust Mr. and Mrs. John N. Fix Sonia Florian Dr. and Mrs. Donald E. Fry Suzanne S. Garvin Mr. and Mrs. James J. Glasser Mr. and Mrs. Norman Goldring
Elliott* and Mona Golub Mr. and Mrs. Paul B. Hart Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hernandez Mr. David Hiller Mr. and Mrs. William A. Holland Mr. and Mrs. Christopher L. Janssen Mr. Martin Katz and Mrs. Kelly Fisher Katz Mr. and Mrs. Eric Kaup Mr. William K. Kellogg III† Mrs. Paul Klimstra Mr. Jack Klues Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett Kay and Fred Krehbiel Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois Mr. David Lastres Mrs. Frank Little Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. McCaskey Mrs. Withrow W. Meeker Mr. and Mrs. Bill McIlvaine Mr. John Mills Brooks* and Howard Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Morrison Mr.* and Mrs. Jeffrey J. Morse Nuveen Investments Ms. Renée Parquette* John and Kathy Piepgras Stephen and Ann Potter The Rhoades Foundation Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Mrs. John M. Richman* Jeffrey and Barbara Rothstein Ms. Deborah F. Rutter* Sargent Family Foundation Scott Byron & Co., Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon I. Segal Mr. and Mrs. Larry Selander Beth and Matt Sennett Sidley Austin LLP Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Smith Tawani Foundation Mr. Brett Thelander Mr.* and Mrs. Ross Updegraff Randy and Debby Usen Zalman and Karen Usiskin Almita and Roland Vamos Roberta and Robert Washlow Barbara H. West
$500 TO $999 Anonymous (3) Mr. and Mrs. Gershon Berkson John and Katherine Buehler Dean L. and Rosemarie Buntrock Dr. Elizabeth W. Calihan and Dr. Mark A. George* Mr. Carlos R. Cardenas* Scott and Melissa Corley CTL Global, Inc. Dina and Ares Dalianis Bruce and Laurie Davidson
Ms. Alexandra Dousmanis-Curtis Dr. and Mrs. Sanford I. Finkel Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Forrester Mary and Terry Franke Mr. and Mrs. Hans J. Germann David C. and Marion D. Hanold Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Hulick Ms. Barbara Jurgens Stephen A. Kaplan and Alyce K. Sigler Larry Katz Margaret and John Kemper Mr. and Mrs. Murray R. Lessinger Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lillard III Linda S. MacLennan Ms. Dawn Meiners Ms. Yasuko Metcalf Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Montgomery Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust Kenneth J. Newmark Karen and Danial Noorani Mr. and Mrs. Mark Nystuen Drs. Funmi and Sola Olopade, University of Chicago Center for Global Health Mr. Paul Organisak PJH & Associates, Inc. Raul Raymundo Mike and Mary Lisa Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Rosenfield Farid and Houri Shafaie Samuel and Rose Marie Spiro Liz Stiffel Mr. and Mrs. Charles Van Fossan
$100 TO $499 Anonymous (3) Melissa and Ken Arbetter The Basrak Family Baxalta Ms. Neema Bayran John* and Patricia Berwanger Robert and Susan Bowker Betty A. and William J. Boyd Eric D. and Constance C. Brandfonbrener Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson Dr. and Mrs. David Campbell Causecast Foundation Cynthia C. and Carlos F. Cata Georgia Cohen Mary Claire Collins Mr. Jerome Conlon Ms. Catherine Cooper and Mr. Marshall Greenwald Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Curley Lynne and Chase Curtis Ms. Edith Diaz Peg and Lee Doctor Clarissa Y. Downey The Drane and Shadle Family Terence J. Duffy Charles and Carol Emmons Exponent Philanthropy Mr. Avi Feller Daniel and Sharona Feller Mr. and Mrs. W. Reed Foster Mr. Anthony Freud and Mr. Colin Ure Kay Furey George and Ellen Galland
Alan W. and Virginia T. George Patrice Michaels and James Ginsburg Victor J. Goldberg and Patricia A. Waldeck Shari and Daniel Gottlieb The Greeneys Robin and Edrene Heiss Margaret Herrmann Craig and Rebeca Huffman IBM Corporation Christina and Brian Jack Howard E. Jessen Ms. Lois M. Kahan Heather and Stuart Katz Esther G. Klatz Ron and Nancy Kurz Alana and Robert Launer Maurice Lemon and Catherine Kallal Carol and David Liner William Mason and Diana Davis Ann E. McDermott Julie M. and Eric J. Melulis The Merlo Family Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mesrobian Nan Miller Mrs. Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Mr. Ralph Neiweem Joyce R. Newcomb Ms. Susan Newman Mr. Christopher M. Novoa Jonah Orlofsky The Peacock Family Chimene A. Pellar Perlman Family Brad L. and Christine S. Peterson Mr. Roger G. Pines Jill C. Pinkerton
Lawrence and Linda Robbins Ms. Shari E. Runner Ms. Carrie Schrader Christine Schulz Tom and Pam Sheffield Mr. and Mrs. William D. Smithburg Herzl R. and Barbara D. Kohl-Spiro Ann Stevens Dr. and Mrs. John H. Stone, D.D.S. Anita and Bruce Taylor Ms. Janet Tenreiro Laura Usiskin The Villano Family Mr. Paul S. Watford and Dr. Brenda A. Darrell The Weinstein Family Amy and Robert Weller Elliot West Mrs. William Wirtz Mr. Hanping Xiao and Ms. Jun Zhao Mr. Chung Yong Yang and Ms. Kabsoon Park John and Laura Zielinski Kristin and Brian Ziv
*Trustee
†deceased
TRUSTEES
Founded in 1931, the Music Institute is dedicated to providing everyone in our communities with
Mr. Scott Verschoor, Chair Mrs. Alexandra C. Nichols, Chair Emerita Mr. Thomas Gahlon, Treasurer Mr. Jeffrey J. Morse, Secretary Mrs. Lee Anne Stoddart, Vice Chair Dr. Mark George, President and CEO
lifelong access to, and engagement with, music. We believe that enjoying and understanding music, and developing the skills to create and perform music, enhance the quality of life and nourish the human spirit. This motivates the Music Institute’s dedicated faculty to provide the highest quality musical instruction at eight locations in the Chicago area, and to reach individuals with music education in neighborhoods where opportunities are limited.
Mr. Christopher G. Bird Mr. Carlos R. Cardenas, CPA Mr. Elliott M. Golub Mr. David F. Heroy, Esq. Ms. Barbara Jane Irwin Mrs. Kay Mabie Ms. Renée Parquette Mrs. Barbara B. Schmitt Mr. Ross Updegraff Mr. David Zampa
LIFE TRUSTEES Mr. John J. Berwanger Dr. Gilbert W. Bowen Mrs. Mitzi Freidheim Mrs. Suzanne Spencer Garvin Mr. John C. Goodall, Jr. Mrs. Brooks Morgan The Honorable Lorraine H. Morton Mrs. Susan B. Noyes Mrs. Rachel Barton Pine Mr. Carl M. Plochman, Jr. Ms. Betsey L. Puth Mrs. Priscilla F. Richman Mr. William N. Topaz
CHICAGO • DOWNERS GROVE • EVANSTON • LAKE FOREST • LINCOLNSHIRE • WINNETKA
EX OFFICIO TRUSTEES The Honorable Stephen H. Hagerty Dr. Nina Kraus Dr. Corinne Ness Mr. Christopher Rintz Ms. Deborah F. Rutter
1702 SHERMAN AVENUE • EVANSTON, IL 60201 847.905.1500 PHONE • 847.251.5391 FAX MUSICINST.ORG/2017IMPACTREPORT