Chamber

Immersive Chamber Music Series presents: Mi Alma Latina 

Date: Sunday,  April 2, 2023

Doors: 7PM 

Showtime: 8PM 

Tickets: $20 - General Admission 

‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door

About: 

Born in 1973 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Cuban parents, composer Armando Bayolo began musical studies at the age of twelve.  At sixteen he went on to study at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan, where he first began the serious study of composition.  He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music (B.M. 1995), where his teachers were Samuel Adler, Joseph Schwantner and Christopher Rouse; Yale University (M.M. 1997), where he studied with Roberto Sierra, Jacob Druckman, Ingram Marshall and Martin Bresnick; and the University of Michigan (D.M.A. 2001) where he studied with Michael Daugherty, Bright Sheng and Evan Chambers.

Mr. Bayolo has been hailed for his "suggestive aural imagination" (El Nuevo Día) in works that are "full of lush ideas and a kind of fierce grandeur, (unfolding) with subtle, driving power" (The Washington Post).  His "music combines the audacity of popular music, the verve-filled rhythmic language of Latin America, and the pugnacity of postmodern classicism into a heady, formidable concoction" (Sequenza21),  and "deserves to be heard many more times, and in many more places.  It is new, it is fresh, and it gets its message across" (The Charlotte Observer) "with quite a high degree of poetic expressiveness" (Music-Web International). 

Mr. Bayolo's music has been commissioned and performed throughout the world by some of today's most important musicians and ensembles.  He is the recipient of important commissions and awards from the Aspen Music Festival,  Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University, the Music Department of the National Gallery of Art, the Arts Councils of the states of Iowa and North Carolina, the Cintas Foundation, the Minnesota Orchestra and American Composers Forum, the Consortium for a Strong Minority Presence, the all-Virginia Intercollegiate Band, and the Festival Interamericano de las Artes.

Besides being active as a composer, Mr. Bayolo is an "adventurous, imaginative and fiercely committed (The Washington Post) advocate for contemporary music in American culture through his activities as Artistic Director and conductor of Great Noise Ensemble (since 2005), curator of the New Music at the Atlas series for the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington (from 2011-14), and as a writer for such publications as Sequenza21 and NewMusicBox.  His cello concerto, Orfei Mors and the cantata, Kaddish:Passio:Rothko, were each nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in music. Recordings of his music can be heard on the Sono Luminus, Inova, New Focus and Great Noise labels and is published by his own imprint, Olibel Music and available through his web site, www.armandobayolo.com.

Immersive Chamber Music Series presents: Mi Alma Latina Livestream

Dates available: April 2 - April 4, 2023

Live Showtime: 8PM on April 2

About: 

Born in 1973 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Cuban parents, composer Armando Bayolo began musical studies at the age of twelve.  At sixteen he went on to study at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan, where he first began the serious study of composition.  He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music (B.M. 1995), where his teachers were Samuel Adler, Joseph Schwantner and Christopher Rouse; Yale University (M.M. 1997), where he studied with Roberto Sierra, Jacob Druckman, Ingram Marshall and Martin Bresnick; and the University of Michigan (D.M.A. 2001) where he studied with Michael Daugherty, Bright Sheng and Evan Chambers.

Mr. Bayolo has been hailed for his "suggestive aural imagination" (El Nuevo Día) in works that are "full of lush ideas and a kind of fierce grandeur, (unfolding) with subtle, driving power" (The Washington Post).  His "music combines the audacity of popular music, the verve-filled rhythmic language of Latin America, and the pugnacity of postmodern classicism into a heady, formidable concoction" (Sequenza21),  and "deserves to be heard many more times, and in many more places.  It is new, it is fresh, and it gets its message across" (The Charlotte Observer) "with quite a high degree of poetic expressiveness" (Music-Web International). 

Mr. Bayolo's music has been commissioned and performed throughout the world by some of today's most important musicians and ensembles.  He is the recipient of important commissions and awards from the Aspen Music Festival,  Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University, the Music Department of the National Gallery of Art, the Arts Councils of the states of Iowa and North Carolina, the Cintas Foundation, the Minnesota Orchestra and American Composers Forum, the Consortium for a Strong Minority Presence, the all-Virginia Intercollegiate Band, and the Festival Interamericano de las Artes.

Besides being active as a composer, Mr. Bayolo is an "adventurous, imaginative and fiercely committed (The Washington Post) advocate for contemporary music in American culture through his activities as Artistic Director and conductor of Great Noise Ensemble (since 2005), curator of the New Music at the Atlas series for the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington (from 2011-14), and as a writer for such publications as Sequenza21 and NewMusicBox.  His cello concerto, Orfei Mors and the cantata, Kaddish:Passio:Rothko, were each nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in music. Recordings of his music can be heard on the Sono Luminus, Inova, New Focus and Great Noise labels and is published by his own imprint, Olibel Music and available through his web site, www.armandobayolo.com.

In the Realm of Senses presents: Beethoven and the Killer B's

Date: Friday, April 28, 2023

Doors: 5PM for Golden Hour to venue | 7:45 to Epiphany Hall 

Showtime: 8PM 

Tickets: $50 - G/A Seating | $35 - High top tables & stools | $150 - VIP table for 2 | $300 - VIP table for 4 

About: 

Immersive Chamber Music Series presents: Chicago Flute Club

Date: Sunday, May 7, 2023

Doors: 1PM 

Showtime: 2PM 

Tickets: $15 - General Admission

Chicago Flute Club Members reserve your complimentary tickets here! 

About: 

Chicago Flute Club presents flutist, Jennie Oh Brown in “Art and Resonance” Founded in 1988, The Chicago Flute Club seeks to foster the highest artistic potential of all its members through teaching, listening, and performing. The CFC provides activities of interest to flutists of all ages and abilities which include recitals, masterclasses, workshops, and forums in addition to competitions and a biennial Flute Festival. In response to the global pandemic in the Spring of 2020, the CFC began its innovative and highly acclaimed Fluting with the Stars Series featuring monthly live virtual masterclasses, workshops, performances, and conversations via Zoom. The 2022-2023 season has brought back the opportunity for in-person events. The CFC is thrilled to be featuring Jennie Oh Brown in a chamber music recital with cellist, Leonardo Altino, oud player, Ronnie Malley, and pianist, Dan Horn. Following the recital will be a lively chamber music masterclass with specially selected ensembles and an inspiring discussion on carving out a career as a musician. For more information, visit www.chicagofluteclub.org.

Immersive Chamber Music presents: LYNX Project 

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023

Doors: 3PM 

Showtime: 4PM 

Tickets: $30 - General Admission

‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door

About: 

Join LYNX Project for the most-anticipated event of their 2022-23 season: the World Premieres of the 2022-23 Amplify Series. The Amplify Series commissions classical composers to set texts by autistic and primarily nonspeaking poets to music. Since 2015, LYNX has commissioned over 40 writers and composers, generating over four hours of new music. The Amplify Series World Premiere Concert celebrates this year's powerful and poignant new works, featuring the following poets, composers, and performers: 

Poets (read more here):

Amelia Bell
Sofia Ghassaei
Matthew McGrath
John-Carlos Schaut
Parker Scheu

Composers (read more here):

Eugenia Cheng
Shane S. Cook
Corinne Klein
Paul Novak
Matthew Recio

Performers (read more here):

Veena Akama-Makia, mezzo-soprano
Pauline Tan, mezzo-soprano
Samuel James Dewese, baritone
Florence Mak, pianist
Michael Tran, clarinetist
Kimberly Jeong, cellist

Accommodations:

• Relaxed performance atmosphere (movement, fidgets, stims welcome in our space)
• Sensory-relief space outside concert hall
• No clapping — handwaving and snapping for applause
• For additional information about accommodations, or to make a request, please contact Michelle Ravitsky at michelle@lynxproject.org.

Immersive Chamber Music Series presents: Nois presents: Discovery Livestream 

Dates available: May 21 - May 23, 2023

Live Showtime: 2PM on May 21

About: 

Founded in 2016, ~Nois (pronounced “noise”) has become one of the premier ensembles in the United States by combining contemporary chamber music and improvisation to connect with audiences in unique concert experiences. Known for their “truly innovative musicianship” and “raw creativity” (Cacophony Magazine), ~Nois has been awarded top prizes at prestigious chamber music competitions including the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the M-Prize International Arts Competition.

In 2020, ~Nois released their debut album, Is This ~Nois. Hailed as “fresh and intense” (The WholeNote), the album was named among the “Best of Bandcamp Contemporary Classical: June 2020” by critic Peter Margasak. 

Since its founding, ~Nois has presented over 90 performances in 20 states from coast to coast. In addition to its regular concert season in Chicago, ~Nois has performed at festivals such as Big Ears and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and has appeared at over 30 academic institutions. For the 2020/2021 academic year, ~Nois was appointed as the Don Michael Randel Ensemble in Residence at the University of Chicago. 

Dedicated to expanding and redefining the saxophone quartet repertoire, ~Nois has premiered over 40 works ~Nois recently partnered with the Kinds of Kings composer collective on the Afterimage series, a collection of concerts in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles and has performed with the Bang On A Can All-Stars, Claire Chase, Eighth Blackbird, and My Brightest Diamond.

~Nois is Hunter Bockes, János Csontos, Jordan Lulloff, and Julian Velasco. For more information, please visit www.noissaxophone.com.

Immersive Chamber Music Series presents: Avalon String Quartet

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023

Doors: 5PM 

Showtime: 6PM 

Ticket: $20 - General Admission

About: 

Described by the Chicago Tribune as "an ensemble that invites you — ears, mind, and spirit — into its music," the Avalon String Quartet has established itself as one of the country's leading chamber music ensembles.

The Avalon has performed in major venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the 92nd St Y, Merkin Hall, and Bargemusic in New York; the Library of Congress and National Gallery of Art in Washington DC; Wigmore Hall in London; and Herculessaal in Munich. Other performances include appearances at the Bath International Music Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Caramoor, La Jolla Chamber Music Society, NPR's St. Paul Sunday, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Dame Myra Hess Concerts, Los Angeles Music Guild, and the Ravinia Festival. The quartet performs an annual concert series in historic Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it has presented the complete quartet cycles of Beethoven, Bartok, and Brahms in recent seasons.

The Avalon is quartet-in-residence at the Northern Illinois University School of Music, a position formerly held by the Vermeer Quartet. Additional teaching activities have included the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Institute, Interlochen Advanced Quartet Program, Madeline Island Music Camp, and the Britten-Pears School in England, as well as masterclasses at universities and conservatories throughout the United States. Additionally, they have given numerous performances and presentations to young audiences in under-resourced schools and communities.

In 2015, the quartet released "Illuminations", its first recording for Cedille Records. It was met with praise from NY Times, WQXR radio and Chicago Tribune. This recording follows a critically acclaimed CD of contemporary American works on the Albany label in 2010. The Avalon String Quartet's debut CD, Dawn to Dusk, featuring quartets by Ravel and Janacek, was honored with the 2002 Chamber Music America/WQXR Record Award for best chamber music recording.

The quartet's live performances and conversations are frequently featured on Chicago fine arts radio station WFMT. They have also been heard on New York's WQXR and WNYC, National Public Radio's Performance Today, Canada's CBC, Australia's ABC, the ARD of Germany, and France Musique.

The Avalon captured the top prize at the ARD Competition in Munich (2000) and First Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York City (1999). In its early years, the ensemble trained intensively with the Juilliard Quartet at The Juilliard School, the Emerson Quartet at the Hartt School of Music, and the Vermeer Quartet at Northern Illinois University.

Immersive Chamber Music Series presents: VIOCELLO

Date: Sunday, June 11, 2023

Doors: 1PM 

Showtime: 2PM 

Tickets: $30 - General Admission 

‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door

About: 

Alexandros Pirillis is a violinist of 42 years and composer of contemporary classical music. Pirillis also has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Long Beach. Pirillis believes that his expertise in geometry and in building parts in computer aided design software (CAD) contributes to his ability to compose multi-layered pieces. Pirillis has composed three albums and continues to compose amazing instrumental music. At the age of 16, Pirillis taught himself intricate folk music from Moldavia by ear. This is something that Pirillis is very grateful for being exposed to. Pirillis is performing with his ensemble, VIOCELLO, music mostly from his third album, “Renaissance”. For his performances, Pirillis plays violin, cello, piano, and bells. His ensemble members are performing on violin, cello, bass, and bells. Pirillis’ music is captivating, haunting, magical, and emotional. His music can be found on iTunes and Spotify. Performing with Pirillis are: Jinty McTavish, Genevieve Tabby, and Andrew Vogt, all accomplished and gifted instrumentalists.  

“If I were to choose between designing a car or composing a beautiful quartet, I choose the latter - it would last an eternity and fill hearts forever.” 

“The main factor in my composing is the love in my heart, filled by my wonderful wife Beti.” 

Immersive Chamber Music: Pilgrim Chamber Players

Date: Friday, November 3, 2023

Doors: 5PM for Golden Hour 

Showtime: 7:30PM

Tickets: $30 - General Admission

‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door

About: 

Join us November 3rd for a unique and thrilling night from a supergroup of musicians from all over corners of the country performing works from the worlds of folk, classical, and cinematic music. The program will include Ravel, string quartet selections arranged by the Danish String Quartet, Traditional Irish music, and our string quartet featuring the pipes. Our concert is by musicians from “The Pilgrim Chamber Players” based in Highland Park, IL, directed by cellist Steven Honigberg.  

THE PERFORMERS: 

Special guest from Los Angeles, film soundtrack veteran bagpipe and whistle player ERIC RIGLER will be featured playing selections from “Titanic” and “Braveheart”, two films he recorded on the original soundtrack for. His legendary 50-year career on the bagpipes & whistles is world-famous. From performing "Amazing Grace" at President Reagan’s  funeral to hundreds of appearances in film soundtracks, Eric has been called "the most recorded piper in history".

Chicago based KATIE GRENNAN’S traditional fiddle playing carries the articulation of a gifted classical musician tempered by the soul of a champion Irish dancer. Her wide ranging experience as an international touring performer in both live stage productions and television have given her a unique platform as an ambassador for the music of her heart. Katie was the fiddler in the popular celtic-fusion band Gaelic Storm for over five years, has recorded a number of solo albums, and is involved in a number of cutting edge musical projects, including The Winifred Horan Quartet, The Bow Tides & Chicago-based STEAM Quartet.

Chicago based JOHN WILLIAMS is internationally regarded as one of the foremost players of Irish music today. With five All-Ireland titles to his credit, John is the only American-born competitor ever to win first place in the Senior Concertina category. His additional talents on flute, button accordion, bodhran, and piano distinguish him as a much sought after multi-instrumentalist in the acoustic scene around the world.

Los Angeles based fiddler and violinist LILY HONIGBERG performs all kinds of genres of music, from Irish fiddle music to pop music to classical music and on. She graduated from New England Conservatory as a Classical violinist in 2018, and completed her studies there in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in Contemporary Improvisation. Lily released her debut album of original fiddle music, Sunrise Summit, in the summer of 2021 with incredible musicians John Doyle on guitar and James Heazlewood-Dale on bass. 

JINTY MCTAVISH is a classically-trained violinist known for her passionate performances, fiery improvisations, and Paul Buckmaster-inspired string arrangements. When she’s not performing with ATLYS, you can find her shredding in the clubs across Chicago with a DJ as @jintshred or snuggling with her beloved puppy Appa.

Chicago based violist WILFRED FARQUHARSON enjoys a multi-faceted performance career as studio, orchestral, and chamber musician. Wilfred currently serves as faculty at the Merit School of Music, and he is the violist of D-Composed Chicago and Crossing Borders Music. He also has served as principal violist of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra as well as substitute musician of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In the summer of 2022, Wilfred performed with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra as one of their fellows He was a Los Angeles Orchestra Fellow which meant he served as a mentor to the students of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra while he was a graduate student at USC. Prior to becoming an LA Orchestra Fellow, Wilfred attended the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as a Premier Young Artist 

Cellist and Artistic Director STEVEN HONIGBERG (a Highland Park native) comes to lead Pilgrim after having directed several prominent chamber music series in his career: 8 years at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC where he premiered a number of new works. Honigberg was hired by Mstislav Rostropovich to join the National Symphony Orchestra in 1984. Honigberg has been featured numerous times as a soloist with the NSO.  He won rave reviews for the 1988 world premiere of David Ott’s Concerto for Two Cellos performed with the National Symphony and conducted by Msistlav Rostropovich, with repeat performances on the NSO’s 1989 and 1994 United States tours.

Pilgrim Chamber Players offers music-lovers in the North Shore and Chicago area the opportunity to enjoy high-caliber Classical chamber music concerts in an intimate and convivial setting. Artists presented at these concerts are at the top of their fields - performers who are at home on the stages of the great halls of North America, Europe and beyond. My programs are extremely varied and the atmosphere welcoming that makes people want to return again and again.

Golden Hour at Epiphany:

Stop by Epiphany for our live music series concerts, and be sure to hit Golden Hour before-hand for drinks and lite-bites! Doors open at 5pm Wednesday - Saturday for Golden Hour with 1/2 priced bottles of wine and other specials!

Come early to EXPLORE and DISCOVER your own EPIPHANY… our art galleries are open and there is free entertainment before the show!

Full Concert Calendar Here

Golden Hour Menu + Music Schedule

Immersive Chamber Music: Pilgrim Chamber Players Livestream 

Dates available: November 3 - November 5, 2023

Live Showtime: 7:30PM on November 3

About: 

Join us November 3rd for a unique and thrilling night from a supergroup of musicians from all over corners of the country performing works from the worlds of folk, classical, and cinematic music. The program will include Ravel, string quartet selections arranged by the Danish String Quartet, Traditional Irish music, and our string quartet featuring the pipes. Our concert is by musicians from “The Pilgrim Chamber Players” based in Highland Park, IL, directed by cellist Steven Honigberg.  

THE PERFORMERS: 

Special guest from Los Angeles, film soundtrack veteran bagpipe and whistle player ERIC RIGLER will be featured playing selections from “Titanic” and “Braveheart”, two films he recorded on the original soundtrack for. His legendary 50-year career on the bagpipes & whistles is world-famous. From performing "Amazing Grace" at President Reagan’s  funeral to hundreds of appearances in film soundtracks, Eric has been called "the most recorded piper in history".

Chicago based KATIE GRENNAN’S traditional fiddle playing carries the articulation of a gifted classical musician tempered by the soul of a champion Irish dancer. Her wide ranging experience as an international touring performer in both live stage productions and television have given her a unique platform as an ambassador for the music of her heart. Katie was the fiddler in the popular celtic-fusion band Gaelic Storm for over five years, has recorded a number of solo albums, and is involved in a number of cutting edge musical projects, including The Winifred Horan Quartet, The Bow Tides & Chicago-based STEAM Quartet.

Chicago based JOHN WILLIAMS is internationally regarded as one of the foremost players of Irish music today. With five All-Ireland titles to his credit, John is the only American-born competitor ever to win first place in the Senior Concertina category. His additional talents on flute, button accordion, bodhran, and piano distinguish him as a much sought after multi-instrumentalist in the acoustic scene around the world.

Los Angeles based fiddler and violinist LILY HONIGBERG performs all kinds of genres of music, from Irish fiddle music to pop music to classical music and on. She graduated from New England Conservatory as a Classical violinist in 2018, and completed her studies there in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in Contemporary Improvisation. Lily released her debut album of original fiddle music, Sunrise Summit, in the summer of 2021 with incredible musicians John Doyle on guitar and James Heazlewood-Dale on bass. 

JINTY MCTAVISH is a classically-trained violinist known for her passionate performances, fiery improvisations, and Paul Buckmaster-inspired string arrangements. When she’s not performing with ATLYS, you can find her shredding in the clubs across Chicago with a DJ as @jintshred or snuggling with her beloved puppy Appa.

Chicago based violist WILFRED FARQUHARSON enjoys a multi-faceted performance career as studio, orchestral, and chamber musician. Wilfred currently serves as faculty at the Merit School of Music, and he is the violist of D-Composed Chicago and Crossing Borders Music. He also has served as principal violist of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra as well as substitute musician of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In the summer of 2022, Wilfred performed with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra as one of their fellows He was a Los Angeles Orchestra Fellow which meant he served as a mentor to the students of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra while he was a graduate student at USC. Prior to becoming an LA Orchestra Fellow, Wilfred attended the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as a Premier Young Artist 

Cellist and Artistic Director STEVEN HONIGBERG (a Highland Park native) comes to lead Pilgrim after having directed several prominent chamber music series in his career: 8 years at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC where he premiered a number of new works. Honigberg was hired by Mstislav Rostropovich to join the National Symphony Orchestra in 1984. Honigberg has been featured numerous times as a soloist with the NSO.  He won rave reviews for the 1988 world premiere of David Ott’s Concerto for Two Cellos performed with the National Symphony and conducted by Msistlav Rostropovich, with repeat performances on the NSO’s 1989 and 1994 United States tours.

Pilgrim Chamber Players offers music-lovers in the North Shore and Chicago area the opportunity to enjoy high-caliber Classical chamber music concerts in an intimate and convivial setting. Artists presented at these concerts are at the top of their fields - performers who are at home on the stages of the great halls of North America, Europe and beyond. My programs are extremely varied and the atmosphere welcoming that makes people want to return again and again.