BLACK BEING is Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual MLK Tribute Concert.

This year, Maestra Mei-Ann Chen dedicated the entire performance to Flutronix’s genre-defying musical composition, "Black Being." This immersive experience gives voice to the complexities of Black womanhood, featuring newly commissioned texts by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green.

Flutronix comprises flutists Nathalie Joachim and Allison Loggins-Hull, trail-blazing composers celebrated for their distinctive fusion of classical music, hip-hop, electronic programming, and soulful vocals.

"Black Being" showcases Flutronix's unique artistic vision and their ability to push the boundaries of contemporary music, resulting in a dynamic and other-wordly listening experience unlikely to be found elsewhere in the classical or popular sphere.

Through innovative use of flute, voice, and electronics, Flutronix creates a captivating sonic landscape that transcends traditional boundaries. This electro-acoustic stagepiece with orchestra features intricate rhythms, ethereal textures, and evocative melodies, inviting listeners on a mesmerizing journey of sound and emotion.

With only two performances, this is a truly one-of-a-kind event celebrating influential creators and socially conscious changemakers.

WENTZ HALL Pre-Concert Entertainment:

2:30-3:15 PM Pre-concert lobby performance by West Suburban Flute Orchestra! Learn about the full range of flute sounds and sizes, from the smallest (piccolo) to the largest (contrabass).  Plus, enjoy their Flutes of All Sizes display and instrument demos.

THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE Entertainment:

5:30-6 PM Duo Dahlia, professional flute/harp duo representing the Chicago Flute Club

8:30-9 PM Hyde Park Suzuki Institute student performances 

This year's MLK Tribute Concert is generously sponsored by ComEd and the League of Chicago Theaters.