Donor Spotlight: Eileen and Jim Friestad

Eileen Friestad is a proud Impresario Society member and has been attending Grant Park Music Festival concerts for over 20 years. She is a founding member of the Grant Park Orchestral Association’s Board of Directors, served as its Treasurer for six years and has chaired its Development Committee for the past four years.

To Eileen, the Festival is the crown jewel of Chicago’s summer programming. She believes that there is nothing like it in any city, in any country around the globe. Each summer, she is reminded of this by the guest artists who perform at the Festival and remark how lucky Chicagoans are to have access to a world-class orchestra and chorus. “A great city is measured by its commitment to arts and culture,” said Eileen recently.  "Chicago has had just such a history, even in times of economic troubles.  And the Festival is essential to that tradition as it is Chicago at its best.  For a brief ten weeks each summer, the Festival brings people together. That is needed now more than ever."

We thank Eileen for her dedication to the Grant Park Music Festival and her generous support over the years.