News & Stories
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.
Musicians at Home—Evan Bravos
2020 has been a trying year for professional musicians, but for Grant Park Chorus baritone Evan Bravos, it's been surprsingly good.
Musicians at Home—Susan Nelson
With a dramatically altered work schedule, Grant Park Chorister Susan Nelson is finding a greater purpose: recording and uploading songs by women. To date, she's recorded well over 100.
Musicians at Home—Jeanine Wynton
The pandemic has displaced musicians the world over. They are missing their usual haunts; they're missing their colleagues, and most of all, they're missing the music. Find out how one violinist is keeping up her chops, maintaining her sanity and helping others to do the same.
A Cellist's Reflections on Bach
Grant Park Orchestra cellist Eric Kutz has been playing the Bach Cello Suites since he was a kid. He's been teaching them to young players for almost as long, so they weren't exactly the shiny new toy. But then came the quarantine.
Musicians at Home—Rika Seko
Grant Park Orchestra violinist Rika Seko is not accustomed to sitting around. When COVID-19 brought the performing arts to a standstill, she suddenly had to grapple with the notion of having free time—and learn to love it!