National Seminario Ravinia: Inaugural Festival
Chicago Philharmonic begins its 2023 Summer Series from July 5-8 with the inaugural National Seminario Ravinia. Inspired by Chief Conductor Marin Alsop’s artistic vision, Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs will host Seminario Ravinia, a national gathering of students from El Sistema-inspired organizations. Chicago Philharmonic offers the young musicians four days of orchestral training, mentorship, and fellowship.
The Seminario will bring together over 100 young musicians selected through a non-audition nomination process. Each student will experience master classes and lessons led by Chicago Philharmonic musicians, tailored to their level and age, as well as rehearsals led by Marin Alsop and Jonathan Rush. The festival will culminate in a free concert on July 8 featuring Seminario students in a side by side orchestra with their Chicago Philharmonic mentors. The performance will be presented as part of Ravinia’s 2023 Kid Concerts series.
“The opportunity to work with students so dedicated to boosting their life skills through the universal language of music is as important to me as leading any orchestra. I’m thrilled to have time over these four days to also meet with the educators who are such crucial mentors for these young people, supporting their personal growth and affirming that they are welcome and, in fact, already a cherished part of this national community of musicians.”
-Chief Ravinia Conductor Marin Alsop
“Sistema-trained students bring pure passion to their music; it’s instantly inspiring. There’s an energy, in the middle of them onstage, that the Chicago Philharmonic and I are excited to fortify, so that the students can experience being peers with not only these professional musicians, but young people from across the country who share this spirit. Meeting with their conductors as well will be a wonderful chance to exchange and develop ideas to focus the enthusiasm and the talent of their student musicians.”
-Lead Seminario Conductor Jonathan Rush
Millennium Park Residency: Somos un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico
On August 26, Chicago Philharmonic collaborates with the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Latin Music Project Ensemble, Cuerdas Clásicas, and AfriCaribe for a free concert at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
The one-of-a-kind symphonic concert honors and celebrates Chicago’s vibrant and diverse Puerto Rican and Mexican communities with the full Chicago Philharmonic and guests on the iconic Chicago Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage.
Emeritus Puerto Rico Symphony Conductor Roselin Pabón from San Juan, Puerto Rico and Symphony Conductor & Composer Sergio Mario Paredes Cardenas from Cd. Victoria, Mexico will present a cross-culture repertoire including popular Puerto Rican songs like Preciosa, plus Bomba and Plena music. Famed Cuatrista Christian Nieves joins the orchestra to perform a new symphonic arrangement of Despacito, which Nieves originally performed with famed Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi.
Learn more about Somos un Solo Pueblo here.
Chicago Philharmonic plays Encanto at Ravinia Festival
On August 27, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film Encanto comes to life with the Chicago Philharmonic this summer! This smash-hit Disney film will be played on Ravinia’s huge screens while being accompanied by Chicago’s most dynamic orchestra celebrating all the record-breaking hit songs from the beloved soundtrack. The 2021 hit movie-musical has been widely praised for its joyful representation of Colombian culture and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original music for the film, performed by Stephanie Beatriz, Diane Guerrero, and Wilmer Valderrama.
Chicago Philharmonic plays Jurassic Park at Ravinia Festival
On August 29, Chicago Philharmonic returns to Ravinia Festival for Jurassic Park in Concert. Relive the magic of Jurassic Park on the big screen and celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a thrilling performance of John Williams’ iconic score. The action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic film is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making.