The Music Institute of Chicago will join the national celebration of Music In Our Schools Month with a day of concerts for all ages and an instrument petting zoo Saturday, March 17, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. in Evanston.
The day’s events, all free except where noted, are as follows:
- 9 a.m.: Open house including the Music Institute’s instrument petting zoo, refreshments, early childhood demonstrations, student performances, and more.
- 10 a.m.: Family Concert by Rami Vamos: Introducing: Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry introduces children both to the instrumentation and textures of the string quartet as well as the compositional process. The mediocre genius Schmutzinberry creates his masterpiece to the sounds of a live string quartet. Ludwig van Beethoven even makes a cameo appearance! Cost: $10 per family. Call 847-905-1500 ext. 108 for tickets.
- 1 p.m.: Skokie Montessori brings a recorder group to perform, and a Young Composer’s Club from Glenview’s Willowbrook School works with Music Institute Composer-in-Residence Mischa Zupko.
- 3 p.m.: The Joseph Sears School Band from Kenilworth, directed by Patrick Dawson, performs with Music Institute ensembles-in-residence Quintet Attacca and Axiom Brass. The band is the 2012 winner of the Music Institute’s award for Excellence in Middle School Instrumental Music, which includes a $500 cash prize for the band program and five $100 scholarships for students to study at the Music Institute.
- 5 p.m.: To conclude the day’s events, Evanston Escola de Samba, which offers classes at the Music Institute, performs in concert.
About Rami Vamos
Combining his talents as a performer, educator, writer, and composer, Rami Vamos has produced a wide array of creative output, ranging from children’s musicals to chamber compositions. For the past 10 years he has used these creations to share an appreciation of classical music with people of all ages and backgrounds.