News & Stories

2022 Awards Benefit Energizes Festival Fans

2022 Awards Benefit Energizes Festival Fans

On Thursday, October 27, the Grant Park Orchestral Association hosted its Advocate for the Arts Awards Benefit, an event that supports the Festival's free programming in Millennium Park and beyond. With proceeds exceeding $800,000 dollars, Festival fans reaffirmed their love for one of Chicago’s best ideas.

Seasonal Fun in Millennium Park

Seasonal Fun in Millennium Park

From the annual Chicago Christmas Tree lighting to the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink to an Art Market featuring works by local artists—there's a load of fun coming your way in Millennium Park.

A Family Secret and a Hidden Talent

A Family Secret and a Hidden Talent

For more than three decades, Norman Malone distinguished himself as an educator in the Chicago Public Schools, conducting award-winning choruses and serving as a much-loved mentor to two generations of high school students.

Festival 2022—the (Un)Official Tally

Festival 2022—the (Un)Official Tally

What looks like lazy summer evenings under the stars belies the efforts of an enormous staff—stagehands, musicians, sound engineers, ushers, music librarians, music educators, and more—to pull off 300 live events in ten weeks.

More than a Concert Series, the Grant Park Music Festival Supports Lifelong Learning

More than a Concert Series, the Grant Park Music Festival Supports Lifelong Learning

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people file into Millennium Park for state-of-the-art sound, breathtaking vistas, and world-class concerts. Yet many would be surprised to learn of the depth and breadth of the Grant Park Music Festival's education programs.

Reflections on Dona nobis pacem

Reflections on Dona nobis pacem

How an interwar plea for peace became a defining work for a member of the Grant Park Chorus.

Jeremy Black's Concert Picks

Jeremy Black's Concert Picks

We asked Grant Park Orchestra Concertmaster Jeremy Black if he's looking forward to any concerts in particular, and he offered up these four.

Billy Childs Keeps on Keeping on

Billy Childs Keeps on Keeping on

We live in the age of the unexpected. For the multi-Grammy-winning composer Billy Childs, a canceled premiere led to something new and wonderful: a string quartet

Festival Auditions Draw Hundreds for a Chance at Joining the Orchestra

Festival Auditions Draw Hundreds for a Chance at Joining the Orchestra

They came from as far as Philadelphia, Florida, New York, and Houston—all for the chance to spend their summers on stage at Chicago's Jay Pritzker Pavilion.