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The Diversity and Importance of the Arts
Keynote speech by Jumaane N'Namdi from
the January 19, 2009 Arts & Diversity Reception
20 Years
of Musical Excellence
Music for Your Event!
Make your event unique with Sinfonietta musicians.
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Mission
The Mission of the Chicago Sinfonietta is to serve as a national model for inclusiveness and innovation in classical music through the presentation of the highest quality orchestral concerts and related programs. The Chicago Sinfonietta aspires to remove the barriers to participation in, and appreciation of classical music through its educational and outreach programs that expose children and their families to classical music, and by providing professional development opportunities for young musicians and composers of diverse backgrounds enabling new, important voices to be heard. This will help America become a true cultural democracy, in which everyone can share fully in its cultural resources and in which all can contribute to it cultural richness.
The Chicago Sinfonietta Story
Maestro Paul Freeman founded the Chicago Sinfonietta in 1987 in response to the lack of opportunity for minority classical musicians, composers, and soloists. Twenty-three seasons later, the Chicago Sinfonietta remains as the national model and true trailblazer for promoting diversity and inclusiveness in orchestral music.
Built upon the core value of inclusion, the demographics of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s musicians, guest artists, board of directors, volunteers, and staff mirror those of the audience. Over fifty-five percent of the Sinfonietta’s musicians, fifty-six percent of its Board of Directors, and forty-two percent of the staff are people of color; subsequently, forty-six percent of the audience is people of color. This relationship is a testament to the fact that the music performed, supporting a diverse array of composers and musicians, has the distinct ability to reach new listeners and communities. The vibrant and very real connection between orchestra and audience exudes an undeniable energy and life to each performance, reinforcing the rich culture that exists in Chicago's communities.
The Chicago Sinfonietta’s vision of inclusiveness extends beyond the concert hall. To develop tomorrow’s musicians and audience members, the orchestra has created innovative outreach programs that annually serve thousands of elementary and high-school age children. In 2008, the Sinfonietta implemented a new program entitled Project Inclusion that provides 1-2 year fellowships to promising orchestral musicians of color. Six fellows performed and rehearsed with the orchestra in the program's inaugural year in 2008. The program has enjoyed much success.
During the Sinfonietta’s first ten years, the orchestra embarked on a number of international tours performing concerts in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Canary Islands. By 1997, the Sinfonietta had attracted more than 1,100 season subscribers and released nine recordings.
Since 1997, the Sinfonietta has released five additional recordings including the much heralded African Heritage Symphonic Three-Volume Series released by Cedille Records in 2002, seen its subscriber base increase to over 1,600 and watched single ticket sales increase to their largest in history. The Sinfonietta performs subscription seasons at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center and at Lund Auditorium in River Forest. The Sinfonietta also serves as the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet.
The Chicago Sinfonietta truly represents the city’s rich cultural landscape, and continues to fulfill the mission of Musical Excellence through Diversity.
Learn about:
Paul Freeman
Founding Music Director
Jim Hirsch
Executive Director
Board of Directors
2008-2009
Annual Report
Press
Press releases, articles, and reviews available in the Press section
Recordings
The
Chicago Sinfonietta is the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet.