Merit in the News

Chicago’s Merit School of Music proudly presents its 2nd Annual ‘Play On’ concert benefiting music education, to be headlined by Merit alum, internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill, at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, Monday, March 2, at 7pm. Joining Hill will be fellow Merit alumni who both return to the … Continued

  On Monday, September 16, 2019, the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) welcomed its inaugural class of fellows. Fifty students, representing 36 zip codes from across the greater Chicago area, gathered in Chicago High School for the Arts auditorium to learn about the mission of CMPI – to identify and develop gifted and motivated orchestral … Continued

Royal Oak, Michigan-based Howard & Howard has donated to both the Merit School of Music and the Foundation for Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation (FHSR) as part of a year-long charitable campaign involving all the Firm’s offices and their respective communities. The gift was announced at a reception held at Howard & Howard’s Chicago location on … Continued

  Photo: Joe Mazza Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, First Lady Amy Eshleman, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced the 2019 Rising Star Honor Roll presented by Allstate Insurance Company, comprised of 35 outstanding young artists. Recognized for their creative leadership and exceptional artistic talents, the honorees were nominated directly … Continued

  Photo: Kyle Flubacker Get to know our long-time president, faculty member, board trustee, and lifelong music advocate Duffie Adelson in this Q&A with Crain’s Chicago Business. She touches on childhood, memorable Merit moments over the past 40 years, and why music is critical for young people. You can read the full article online here.

Honoring Merit Life Trustee and Former President Duffie A. Adelson, the music school raised over $1.2 million   Merit School of Music held their 40th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, May 8 at the Four Seasons Chicago. Over 350 attendees were greeted by Merit’s spectacular, advanced Suzuki-Alegre Strings Ensemble, a diverse group of young violin players, who … Continued

Featuring an abridged performance of “Price of Peace,” composed by The JuJu Exchange’s Julian Reid and Nico Segal, plus performances by soprano and Ryan Opera Center alum Kimberly Jones, rising jazz pianist Alexis Lombre, and vocal artist Christine Whack   Jazz fusion ensemble The JuJu Exchange headlines PLAY ON, a 40th Anniversary celebration for West … Continued

  Merit School of Music is thrilled to be the featured non-profit of Wintercamp Music Festival 2019. Wintercamp is an annual music festival held each winter in the legendary Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago. This year, the festival takes place February 15th – 16th. 10% of all ticket proceeds go back to Merit and our Conservatory … Continued

CMPI Steering Team – Merit School of Music, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Chicago High School for the Arts, Chicago Sinfonietta, The Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, DePaul University School of Music, and Ravinia Festival – seek to discover and nurture promising young musicians from traditionally underrepresented communities   Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative … Continued