Holiday Joy! Music & Dance Extravaganza

Celebrate the season at Unity Temple! Members of The Apollo Chorus of Chicago will perform selections from The Messiah, Dance Avondale will dance to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio choreography by Charles Weidman, and The Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago will perform festive works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart  and Skoryk for chamber ensembles and string orchestra. Festive dessert reception in Unity House following performances.

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago has a matchless heritage. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest volunteer choral societies in the United States and the oldest musical organization in Chicago. Apollo has produced the Chicago Messiah every December since 1879. And it has ushered in each new era of Chicago’s rich musical history, with performances inaugurating every major music venue in the City. It’s over 120 auditioned members include men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations brought together by their abiding love of music. The voices of college students blend seamlessly with the voices of retirees who have belonged to Apollo for over fifty years. The singers’ dedication, artistry, and passion produce performances of unrivaled majesty.

Dance Avondale Collective was born out of the pandemic with our dancer’s generosity and a great need to practice their art. They are entering their third year of free and low-cost performances in and around Chicago. The Collective is invested in keeping the legacy of early American modern dance innovator Charles Weidman alive and well.

The Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago is a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players. The Academy provides a comprehensive musical education for students who aspire to be professional musicians.

Tickets range from $20 – $30 based on seating assignment. UTRF members receive $5 off their tickets, use code MEMBER at checkout, limited student seating is $10. 

CLICK HERE to view seating arrangement. 

CLICK HERE to view parking map. 

Not sure if you’re a UTRF member? Contact us to confirm or sign up to become a member HERE.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency State Funds for the Arts Tour, with additional contributions from the Oak Park Area Arts Council, and Alphawood Foundation.

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:

The Music Institute of Chicago leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music through unparalleled teaching, exceptional performances, and valuable service initiatives that educate, inspire, and build strong, healthy communities. Since its founding in 1931, the Music Institute’s commitment to innovation, access, and excellence has served as an important community resource and helps to ensure music is available to everyone. Each year, the Music Institute provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, and Winnetka, as well as online. In addition, the Music Institute brings music education, arts curriculum integration, professional development, and music performance and engagement opportunities to thousands in the Chicago area; offers scholarship opportunities to students in its Community School and its Academy; and (pre-pandemic) welcomes more than 15,000 visitors annually for performances, master classes, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall. For more information, visit musicinst.org.

Today’s chamber music and orchestra musicians are members of the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players. The program provides a comprehensive music education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. Located on the beautiful grounds of Lake Forest College, the Academy is a musical community of faculty, staff, and students who come together each Saturday, September through May, for an intensive 30-week program. The curriculum  focuses on providing a comprehensive musical education that includes private lessons with Academy artist faculty, a rigorous chamber music component, a stimulating chamber orchestra experience, and accelerated music theory classes. Pianists additionally study keyboard history and literature, improvisation, and keyboard skills in an intimate group setting. A hallmark of the Academy is the frequent master class when the student body gathers with acclaimed artists and pedagogues, who share their experience and knowledge, creating an unparalleled educational experience.  Academy students are national and international medal winners who matriculate to the nation’s top conservatories and universities.