MUSIC INSTITUTE PRESENTS ACCLAIMED PACIFICA QUARTET FEB. 16

Continuing its stellar 10th anniversary season at Nichols Concert Hall, the Music Institute of Chicago presents the internationally acclaimed Pacifica Quartet Saturday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

The program features Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor “From My Life” and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132.

The Pacifica Quartet—violinist Simin Ganatra, violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson, violist Masume Per Rostad, and cellist Brandon Vamos—has a longstanding relationship with the Music Institute, having performed previously at Nichols, as well as leading numerous master classes at the Music Institute’s Academy for gifted pre-college musicians.

This concert is sponsored by Gael and Robert Strong.

Pacifica Quartet

Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style, and often-daring repertoire choices, the Pacifica Quartet has gained international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. Named quartet-in-residence at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in March 2012 and Ensemble of the Year by Musical America, Pacifica received the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance. 

Nichols Concert Hall

The 2012–13 season marks the 10th anniversary of Nichols Concert Hall, originally designed by noted architect Solon S. Beman as the architecturally and acoustically magnificent First Church of Christ, Scientist, located at 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, in 1912 (celebrating its centennial). Restored in 2003, the building has become Nichols Concert Hall, a state-of-the-art, 550-seat performance space and music education destination, which annually reaches approximately 15,000 people and hosts a world-class chamber music series, workshops and master classes, student recitals, and special events. 

Noteworthy concerts still to come during the Music Institute’s 10th anniversary season at Nichols include pianist Sergei Babayan in April and the third annual Emilio del Rosario Distinguished Alumni Concert, this year featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine and pianist Matthew Hagle in May. 

Music Institute of Chicago

The Music Institute of Chicago believes that music has the power to sustain and nourish the human spirit; therefore, our mission is to provide the foundation for lifelong engagement with music. As one of the three largest and most respected community music schools in the nation, the Music Institute offers musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services. Founded in 1931 and one of the oldest community music schools in Illinois, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Each year, the Music Institute’s world-class music teachers and arts therapists provide the highest quality arts education, reaching more than 10,000 students of all ability levels, from birth to 102 years of age, at campuses in Evanston, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Winnetka, and Downers Grove and through its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools. The Music Institute also offers lessons and programs at the Steinway of Chicago store in Northbrook and early childhood and community engagement programs throughout the Chicago area and the North Shore. The Music Institute offers lessons, classes, and programs through four distinct areas: Community School, The Academy, Creative Arts Therapy (Institute for Therapy through the Arts), and Nichols Concert Hall. 

Pacifica Quartet performs Saturday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students, available online or 847.905.1500 ext. 108. For more information visit musicinst.org.