Music Institute offers free Fall Festival to support student aid

Featured image: The Music Institute of Chicago’s Suzuki Cello Ensemble. Photo by Layne Dixon, supplied by the Music Institute of Chicago.

Students and their teachers will share the stage at the Music Institute of Chicago’s Fall Festival, a free concert that supports scholarships and financial aid. The annual event takes place Sunday, Nov. 15, at Nichols Concert Hall in downtown Evanston.

The afternoon begins at 1 p.m. with a reception, photo booth and family activities. The concert starts at 1:30 p.m., bringing together faculty performers, youth and adult students, Suzuki groups and the Music Institute’s Academy orchestra. A community sing closes the program.

The range of performers is part of the event’s purpose. In its announcement, the Music Institute describes a concert connecting beginning Suzuki students with faculty, while making the school’s work available to an audience without an admission charge. President and CEO Shalisa Kline Ugaz said the festival reflects the institution’s “dedication to nurturing the whole musician.”

The festival also includes the fourth annual Teacher of Note Award and second annual Alumni of Note Award. The former recognizes faculty contributions; the latter honors an alum’s work in music or another field. Last year’s recipients were violin and viola teacher Vannia Phillips and cellist Julia Wen, respectively. The 2026 recipients have not yet been announced on the festival page.

Renée Parquette and Audra Wilson serve as event co-chairs. Donations are welcome, with proceeds supporting student scholarships and financial aid. Free tickets can be reserved through the Music Institute’s event page, which also lists a livestream for people attending remotely.

Nichols Concert Hall is at 1490 Chicago Ave., near the CTA Purple Line and Metra’s Davis stations. An elevator reached from the Grove Street side entrance provides access to the lobby and first floor; accessible seating is available on that level. Find the program and donation information at musicinst.org/fall-festival, or review the hall’s visitor and accessibility information before attending.

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