Pinchas Zukerman Receives Dushkin Award at Music Institute's Anniversary Gala

The Music Institute of Chicago, one of the nation's oldest, largest, and most distinguished community music schools, welcomed 300 guests to its 2018 Anniversary Gala on Monday, May 21 at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago. The event raised more than $715,000 from a combination of table sponsorships, ticket sales, and outright contributions.

The evening included a cocktail reception, followed by an elegant dinner and awards presentation. Musical performances took place throughout the evening, representing every area of the Music Institute. Highlights included young musicians from the Community Music School; award-winning students from the renowned Academy, a training center for gifted pre-college musicians; and young students from its outreach programs, including ArtsLink, an arts integration program offered in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, and Third Coast Suzuki Strings, a violin program on Chicago's Northwest Side in collaboration with the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

The prestigious Dushkin Award, established 30 years ago and named for the Music Institute's visionary founders, Dorothy and David Dushkin, recognizes international luminaries in the world of music for their contributions to the art form, as well as to the education of youth. This year's recipient, Pinchas Zukerman, has remained a phenomenon in the world of classical music for more than four decades. The 2017-18 season marks his ninth as principal guest conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and his third as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra's artist-in-residence. His enthusiasm for teaching has resulted in innovative programs in London, New York, China, Israel, and Ottawa. He chairs the Pinchas Zukerman Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music, where he pioneered the use of distance-learning technology in the arts more than two decades ago. His appearance at the Gala concluded a weekend of activities with the Music Institute, including a performance by the Zukerman Trio-featuring violinist Zukerman, cellist Amanda Forsyth, and pianist Angela Cheng-Sunday, May 20 for more than 350 audience members at Nichols Concert Hall, and a master class with Music Institute students May 21.

The Music Institute presented its ninth annual Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago, which recognizes individuals who have provided visionary philanthropic and civic leadership for the broad spectrum of arts in Chicago and Illinois, to Frederick H. Waddell, Chairman, Northern Trust. Through his demonstrated civic involvement, generous philanthropy, and dedication to the arts, Waddell represents an ideal community leader. Since joining Northern Trust in 1975, he has held leadership positions in commercial banking, strategic planning, and wealth management. Waddell serves on the boards of trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, as well as the Global Advisory Board of the Kellogg School of Management and an executive advisor to the Metropolitan Planning Council. He is a board member of AbbVie, IBM, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Chicago Urban League, the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, the International Monetary Conference, and the Financial Services Roundtable. In addition, he is chairman of the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club and vice chairman of The Commercial Club.

In addition, the Music Institute presented its Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence, an annual award to faculty members who exemplify the high standard of excellence Colburn demonstrated in his many musical endeavors, to Stanley Davis, a 58-year member of the clarinet and saxophone faculty. Davis earned his master's degree in music from Roosevelt University and his bachelor's degree in music from Chicago Musical College. He has completed post-graduate study at Northwestern University and has connections to DePaul University and the University of Illinois-Chicago. Davis performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago orchestra (1959-2003), the University of Chicago's Contemporary Chamber Players (1960-80), the Grant Park Orchestra (1958-65), and other local and national tours.

Honorary Chairs for the Gala were Susan R. Kiphart, Alexandra and John Nichols, and Rachel Barton Pine. Co-Chairs for the Gala were Renée and Lester Crown, David F. Heroy, Cathy and Bill Osborn, and Nancy and E. Scott Santi.

The generosity of individuals and companies who support the Music Institute's annual gala provide the primary source of scholarship and financial aid programs at the Music Institute's eight primary campuses, as well as through its extensive outreach programs in Chicago Public Schools and with community-based nonprofit organizations, which benefit more than 6,500 students annually.

Music Institute of Chicago
The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute's teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience. Music Institute locations include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall.

For information, visit musicinst.org.

Photo: 2018 Dushkin Award Recipient Pinchas Zukerman, Honorary Co-Chair Alexandra Nichols (Winnetka), MIC President and CEO Mark George (Wilmette)
Photo Credit Bob Carl

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