| History |
A half century of Chicago Chamber Orchestra seasons represents a distinguished Chicago tradition of admission-free concerts presented at highest artistic levels as a public cultural service. An enthusiastic capacity audience celebrated this achievement on August 7, 2002 at the 50th Anniversary Concert at the Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park. The presence of the city’s cultural and civic leadership, national and international greetings, awards and congratulations constituted a highlight in the remarkable history of this organisation. Dieter Kober, founder and music director, developed the organisation from an amateur string ensemble at the University of Chicago in 1952 to becoming a professional orchestra-in-residence at the Art Institute of Chicago from where it expanded into an independent cultural service organization. Under the guidance of a board of directors made up of prominent Chicago citizens, a full-sized Chicago Chamber Orchestra - 35 musicians playing woodwind, brass, percussion and string instruments - became a reality in 1962. Initial funding was obtained through matching grants from the Music Performance Trust Funds of the Recording and Film Industries. Additional support from a growing audience-derived membership dues and contribution structure was followed by city, state and federal subsidies as well as corporate and foundation grants. |
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 First Season, University of Chicago |
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| With the enthusiastic support of directors, membership and audiences Chicago Chamber Orchestra performances soon extended into many neighborhoods - museums, churches, public buildings and educational institutions - with the objective to bring great music directly to the community of people of many different backgrounds and of all ages. Thereby , a significant service is offered especially to those adults and senior citizens for whom the rising costs of concert tickets ultimately make the experience of great music a luxury they otherwise could not afford. An extensive series of “Music for Young Listeners” was initiated in co-operation with the Chicago Board of Education and public schools. A series of outdoor concerts, “Lakeside Promenades” presented and sponsored by the Chicago Park District, included appearances for capacity audiences in the Lincoln Park Zoorokery and at the South Lagoon of the Museum of Science and Industry. By the mid-seventies Chicago Chamber Orchestra concerts were regularly scheduled in auditoriums of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago Historical Society, Shedd Aquarium, Carson Pirie Scott Department Store and Apollo Savings Bank on North Michigan Avenue (across Chicago Tribune) . Notable performance locations for special concerts include Cathedral of St.James, Fourth Presbyterian Church and ballrooms of the city ‘s most elegant hotels. The orchestra was honored to perform for the festive opening of Preston Bradley Hall after renovation of the former Chicago Public Library. The now renamed Chicago Cultural Center has become the Chicago Chamber Orchestra’s favorite and most popular concert site. The orchestra’s participation in many other civic functions included performances for the King and Queen of Denmark, Prince Charles of England, heads of state from Germany, Ireland, Africa and Australia; commemorating the Great Chicago Fire, Chicago’s Pan-American Festival and the inauguration ceremonies for the “Eternal Flame” at Daley Plaza. | ||
 50th Season Grant Park |
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| The
scope of the orchestra’s activities was eventually extended
to concertizing in the Midwest, North and South of the United States,
to production and presentation of radio and television programs and
release of phonograph recordings (Handel, Nielsen, Prokofiev, Mozart).
Its distinctive repertory of music ranging from the Baroque to the
Contemporary and the diversity of soloists drawn from its own ranks
and including new as well as established artists of international
renown has drawn universal praise, including four ASCAP (American
Society of Composers, Arrangers and Publishers) and one NARAS (National
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) awards. Following its triumphant
tour of l989 as first Chicago orchestra to perform in East Germany,
it was named “Orchestra of the Year” in Illinois.
Three subsequent European tours with appearances in Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, Prague’s Smetana Hall and the Polish National Radio and Television Hall in Warsaw became memorable experiences with seemingly unending applause from enthusiastic audiences and praise of rave critical reviews. An Asian tour with two performances for capacity audiences in Seoul, Korea confirmed the Chicago Chamber Orchestra’s viability also away from home base - in the forefront of performing organizations and adding to the reputation of the city of Chicago as a cultural center of the United States. In 2002 Edward Benyas, Associate Conductor of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and Professor of Music and Orchestral activities at Southern Illinois University was appointed Music Director Designate. He has since participated artistically and administratively to insure the continuity of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra’s significant contribution to the musical scene of Chicago. |
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