News & Stories
Soprano Tiana Sorenson: Keeping it Real
It takes a village to produce a professional musician—years of music lessons, concerts, rehearsals, equipment needs and endless hours of practicing in the home. For soprano and Project Inclusion alum Tiana Sorenson, it couldn't have happened without three key women.
Ten Courageous Women in Music
Read about these indomitable personalities who defied convention to live their dreams.
Christopher Bell at Home in Scotland
For Christopher Bell, the cancellation of the 2020 season was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet out of that work stoppage came some perspective, and some valuable lessons, too.
Project Inclusion Alum Kyle Dickson Talks about Race and Social Activism
Violinist and conductor Kyle Dickson aspires to "tell the whole truth" about classical music with a greater emphasis on artists and composers of color.
A Letter from Festival CEO Paul Winberg
Dear Friends, Greetings and best wishes in 2021! All of us at the Festival are eager to bring live music back to Millennium Park this summer.
Opera Star Janai Brugger at Home in Chicago
International opera star and Chicago native Janai Brugger reflects on life during COVID, recording for HBO in her basement, and her early career as a member of the Festival chorus.
Part-time Rocker Adam Grais Becomes Festival Board Chair
Adam Grais has played in marching bands, orchestras, big bands, punk bands, rock and jazz bands—now he's the Festival board chair. And it's all good.
10 Things You Might Not Know about Beethoven
At the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth, there's still a lot to learn.
Beethoven's Favorite Dinner: Mac-n-Cheese (KasNocken)
According to Anton Schindler, Beethoven's secretary and biographer, the composer loved mac-n-cheese, a particular recipe called KasNocken that is believed to have originated in Austria's Pinzgau region.
Profile - Outgoing Board Chair Stephen Smith
For Chicago-based business leader Stephen Smith, volunteering at the Grant Park Music Festival wasn't just about serving the community, it was personal.