Chicago Sinfonietta & Project W: Why are Female Composers Underrepresented?

Reena Esmail and conductor Mei-Ann Chen at the end of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s ‘Hear Me Roar’ concert of works by female composers
“One US orchestra that has consistently championed diversity is the Chicago Sinfonietta. Music by women represented 42% of the repertoire it programmed for its 30th-anniversary season in 2017–18 and included four new commissions – from Brazilian–American composer Clarice Assad, African–American composer and violinist Jessie Montgomery, Indian–American composer Reena Esmail and the multi-award-winning Jennifer Higdon.”  
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The Woman at the Podium at the Chicago Sinfonietta

“Mei-Ann Chen, music director of Chicago Sinfonietta, which kicks off its 31st season Sept. 5 with a concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, wants to see more women in classical music.” Crain’s Chicago Business interviewed our music director about women in music. Read more here!
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Chicago Sinfonietta 2018-19 Preview – “Variations on a Dream”

“At the culmination of it’s 30th year of programming, the Chicago Sinfonietta, one of the most diverse Orchestras in the world, and one of it’s most creative in terms of meaningful innovative concerts, presents its 2018-2019 season, “Variations on a Dream”.” Read more about our 2018-19 season from Splash Magazines!
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VIDEO: Chicago Sinfonietta: Celebrating Diversity Through Music

The Chicago Sinfonietta celebrates a multitude of cultures by straying from the typical classical musical collection and choosing to perform music that reflects the diversity of Chicago. Musical Director Mei-Ann Chen stopped by the station to tell just how they make it work.
“The Chicago Sinfonietta celebrates a multitude of cultures by straying from the typical classical musical collection and choosing to perform music that reflects the diversity of Chicago. Musical Director Mei-Ann Chen stopped by the station to tell just how they make it work.” Watch CLTV’s video for more about the Sinfonietta’s commitment to championing diversity in
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Chicago Sinfonietta Celebrates a Joyous 30th Anniversary

The Sinfonietta celebrated the finale of its 30th season [Monday night in Orchestra Hall]. Though the program ranged from sublime to silly (intentionally so), the high points were unforgettable.
“The Sinfonietta celebrated the finale of its 30th season [Monday night in Orchestra Hall]. Though the program ranged from sublime to silly (intentionally so), the high points were unforgettable.” Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune recalls meeting the Chicago Sinfonietta’s founder and first music director, Paul Freeman, and praises the energetic finale of our 30th
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Southside Friends of the Chicago Sinfonietta Receive 2018 Roundtable Award

The Southside Friends of the Chicago Sinfonietta (SSF) has been named a 2018 Roundtable Award winner by the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council in the category of Outstanding Volunteer Project. The annual Gold Book competition recognizes outstanding projects created and implemented by volunteer associations of symphony orchestras throughout the United States. The Southside Friends
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Chicago Sinfonietta, Mei-Ann Chen Redefine Classical Through 2021

Mei-Ann Chen will remain with the Chicago Sinfonietta through 2021.
Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation’s most diverse orchestra, has announced that it will renew the contract of Music Director Mei-Ann Chen through the end of the 2020-21 season. The announcement culminates Chicago Sinfonietta’s successful 30th anniversary season, and the enthusiasm that has made Chen an audience favorite promises another exhilarating three-year stretch on the podium. In what will
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Review: “Ask Your Mama” Review- The Chicago Sinfonietta for Martin Luther King Day 2018

Mei-Ann Chen conducts at Sinfonietta's annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert in 2018.
“The impassioned production is brainy, heart-felt, resonant and extremely rhythmic. […] This was a sweeping and ambitious piece performed on an auspicious occasion by- how fitting- the most diverse Orchestra in the world..” Read more about our 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert in Splash Magazines’ full review!
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Tony-nominated De’Adre Aziza performs live for Midday Fix

Tony-nominated De’Adre Aziza performs live on WGN 9’s Midday Fix prior to the 30th Anniversary MLK Tribute Concert. Turn your speakers up and watch here!   
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Sinfonietta Celebrates 30th Anniversary During Show

The Chicago Sinfonietta kicks off its 30th anniversary season.
“We thought it would be fun to have a lot of references to Sinfonietta history and experiences we provide,” [Chief Executive Officer Jim Hirsch] said. “This is a concert made up of a lot of elements you typically find in a Sinfonietta concert experience. This is a pretty patently typical Sinfonietta concert in that regard.”
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