Community Calendar

Dane Philipsen and Ya-Ju Chuang will present a recital of diverse works for oboe and piano. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or completely new to the repertoire, the Philipsen-Chuang Duo will immerse you in this musical niche. A deeply collaborative partnership, both artists have worked together extensively both on stage and in the teaching studio.

Equally at home on the operatic stage or in concert repertoire, soprano Susan Nelson has been praised by critics for her “full, powerful voice – agile and pliant” as well as her interpretations, called both “sensitive and moving” and “full of life and vigor,” showcasing her versatility in repertoire from Bach and Mozart to verismo and contemporary opera, as well as light opera and popular music. Experience her interpretations of women composers in their unique voices of triumph.

Kaia String Quartet + Fareed Haque

This Valentine’s week, we are turning up the romance with a concert that feels like a love letter in sound. The Kaia String Quartet joins forces with the brilliant guitarist Fareed Haque for an evening that blends passion, virtuosity, and pure joy.

At the heart of the program is Haque’s own Quintet for Guitar and Strings, Op. 60, a piece that showcases his signature blend of lyricism and fire. The journey continues with music by Latin American icons Ricardo Lorenz and Astor Piazzolla, whose tangos are equal parts smoldering and tender. Eduardo Angulo’s El Alevín (The Minnow) adds playful sparkle to the mix, proof that even the smallest notes can carry big emotion.

Margie Criner
Sculptor

The night’s visual counterpart is sculptor Margie Criner. From a distance, her works appear sleek and abstract, but each piece hides a lens portal that reveals an entire miniature world inside. These tiny universes explore themes of waiting, traveling, commuting, and dreaming—moments we all share yet rarely stop to notice. Criner’s art bridges design, play, and discovery, inviting viewers to pause, peer closer, and uncover stories hidden in plain sight.

Music that speaks in thousands of notes. Art that asks you to look twice and see more. It’s the kind of Valentine you’ll remember long after the last chord fades. 💖

Kaia String Quartet + Fareed Haque

This Valentine’s week, we are turning up the romance with a concert that feels like a love letter in sound. The Kaia String Quartet joins forces with the brilliant guitarist Fareed Haque for an evening that blends passion, virtuosity, and pure joy.

At the heart of the program is Haque’s own Quintet for Guitar and Strings, Op. 60, a piece that showcases his signature blend of lyricism and fire. The journey continues with music by Latin American icons Ricardo Lorenz and Astor Piazzolla, whose tangos are equal parts smoldering and tender. Eduardo Angulo’s El Alevín (The Minnow) adds playful sparkle to the mix, proof that even the smallest notes can carry big emotion.

Margie Criner
Sculptor

The night’s visual counterpart is sculptor Margie Criner. From a distance, her works appear sleek and abstract, but each piece hides a lens portal that reveals an entire miniature world inside. These tiny universes explore themes of waiting, traveling, commuting, and dreaming—moments we all share yet rarely stop to notice. Criner’s art bridges design, play, and discovery, inviting viewers to pause, peer closer, and uncover stories hidden in plain sight.

Music that speaks in thousands of notes. Art that asks you to look twice and see more. It’s the kind of Valentine you’ll remember long after the last chord fades. 💖

Experience Chicago Master Singers’ most inspirational concert of the season: NextGen with Composer Michael John Trotta. You’ll hear nearly 200 singers, ranging from teens to octogenarians, raise their voices together in a remarkable testament to the power of music and community. Mr. Trotta will join us for a concert of his music, including his new Requiem setting, which was recently recorded by Tenebrae, one of the UK’s finest choirs. You’re sure to love this lush, melodious music that comforts and elevates audiences around the world.

Sublime beauty awaits you at the Season Finale concerts, “From Darkness to Light.” The program features Morten Lauridsen’s beloved Lux Aeterna, Gabriel Fauré’s ever-popular Cantique de Jean Racine, and Welsh composer Paul Mealor’s richly sonorous Stabat Mater. The chorus is joined by the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra and Soprano Angela De Venuto. Music Director John C. Hughes conducts.

Sublime beauty awaits you at the Season Finale concerts, “From Darkness to Light.” The program features Morten Lauridsen’s beloved Lux Aeterna, Gabriel Fauré’s ever-popular Cantique de Jean Racine, and Welsh composer Paul Mealor’s richly sonorous Stabat Mater. The chorus is joined by the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra and Soprano Angela De Venuto. Music Director John C. Hughes conducts.