WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
6pm Reception | 7pm Dinner
Four Seasons Chicago
120 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL 60611
Cocktail Attire • Valet Parking Available
6pm Reception | 7pm Dinner
Join Merit School of Music for an unforgettable evening benefitting equal access and excellence in music education.
After two years of celebrating virtually from locations across the globe, Merit’s Gala 2022 triumphantly returns to the Four Seasons Chicago. Honoring Lori Julian and William Blair for their contributions to the arts and featuring beautiful performances, the event is a can’t-miss for Chicago music lovers.
FEATURING
+ Special performances by Merit students
+ Stories of the unstoppable power of music
+ Inspiring words from changemakers in music education
For more information, contact Meredith Barber at [email protected].
Your health & safety are our priority! All required COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place for those who gather at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Accordingly, with the safety and health of everyone in mind, we are asking that all dinner guests be fully vaccinated. Please ensure that your guests have been informed of this requirement.
MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
transforms the lives of Chicago-area youth through removing barriers to high-quality music education.
Merit enables motivated students, regardless of economic circumstance, to develop their talent and to use music as a springboard for achieving their full personal potential, with nearly 70 percent of students benefitting from need-based financial aid and low-cost instrument rental.
Relive last year’s Virtual Gala 2021!
HONORING
LORI JULIAN
Alice S. Pfaelzer Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts
WILLIAM BLAIR
Corporate Leadership Award
GALA CO-CHAIRS
Dora and John Aalbregtse
Judy and Scott McCue
Shelley Ochab and Chester Gougis
MERIT GALA SPONSORSHIPS
Merit School of Music deeply appreciates the individuals and organizations who celebrate the accomplishments of our honorees, Lori Julian, philanthropist and music lover, and William Blair, both supporters of the nationally-renowned programming at Merit School of Music.
In addition to the opportunities listed below, benefactors of $5,000+ will receive special acknowledgment of their support in the Gala invitation, on the Gala webpage, and in Merit’s annual report.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE | $50,000
- A premier table in the ballroom for 10 guests at the Gala
- Premier recognition of your support in the Gala event materials
MAESTRO | $40,000
- A priority table in the ballroom for 10 guests at the Gala
- Priority recognition of your support in the Gala event materials
VIRTUOSO | $25,000
- A prime table in the ballroom for 10 guests at the Gala
- Prime recognition of your support in the Gala event materials
CONCERTMASTER | $10,000
- A preferred table in the ballroom for 10 guests at the Gala
- Preferred recognition of your support in the Gala event materials
PRESTO | $5,000
- A reserved table in the ballroom for 10 guests at the Gala
- Recognition of your support in the Gala event materials
ALLEGRO | $2,500
- Four tickets to the Gala
- Recognition of your support in the Gala event materials
ADAGIO | $1,500
- Two tickets to the Gala
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Richard and Helen Thomas & Family
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Ryan and Amy DeVore
& William Blair
Howard Gottlieb and Barbara Greis
Caroline and Charlie Huebner
Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation
The Negaunee Foundation
Zell Family Foundation
MAESTRO
Anonymous
Carol Prins and John Hart
Earl Rusnak, Jr. and Sandra Rusnak
VIRTUOSO
Julie and Dan Baumeister
Ginny and Peter Foreman
Joe and Madeleine Glossberg
Kenneth C. Griffin
Janice L. Honigberg
ITW
Thomas and Janet Leopold
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius,
Thomas Linguanti and Olivia Tyrrell
& Julie Stapel and David Kalat
Lorna and Ellard L. Pfaelzer, Jr.
David Thomas
CONCERTMASTER
Dora and John Aalbregtse
Abbott
Michael Andrews and Ryan Ruskin
Anonymous
BMO Harris Bank
Cedille Records, Patricia Kenney and Gregory O’Leary
Clean Law PC
Joan and Robert Feitler
Judy and Verne Istock
Anne L. Kaplan
Judy and Scott McCue
NIPSCO
Shelley Ochab and Chester Gougis
Cathy and Bill Osborn
Susie Pfaelzer Sultan and John Sultan
Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan
Liz Stiffel
Nina G. Stillman
U.S. Bank
PRESTO
Duffie A. Adelson
Bernardi Securities
Leslie and John Burns
CAM Comm
Huan J. Chang and Robert R. Stauffer
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association
The Gies Foundation
Anne and William Goldstein
Heidi Lukas and Charles Grode
Jenner & Block
Jennifer and Reg Montague
PACO Collective
PwC
Abiman Rajadurai and Joanna Bartold
Doris Roskin
Ann and Ray Rusnak
T. Rowe Price Private Asset Management
Penny and John Van Horn
MEDIA SPONSOR
Give the gift of music
Your support transforms the lives of young musicians across Chicagoland.