Classical music is a funny thing, and we're not even referring to the ambiguous nature of the term "classical music" (like the Supreme Court and pornography, we know it when we see it). The role of a professional symphony orchestra has largely become that of a curator, producing a unique, exciting, or technically perfect - ideally, all three - interpretation of an established piece of music. To be fair, orchestras do program new music - just last weekend the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played a piece by one of their new composers-in-residence, 33-year-old Mason Bates - but they also have to pay attention to their bottom lines, and the classics put butts in seats. Point is, there's an aspect of classical music that's old news. more ›

Sound of Silent Film Festival is March 10 and 17 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division, 7:30 pm, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, All Ages, Free parking at the Holy Trinity Church at Division and Noble more ›

Known for local indie rock and experimental jazz acts, the Empty Bottle will mix things up next Tuesday with a night of chamber music by Accessible Contemporary Music’s Palomar Quartet. The two may seem to contradict each other, but the Bottle is actually a fitting venue for Palomar, whose goal is to broaden and diversify the contemporary music audience. And besides, Chamber music is meant for intimate spaces like this modest-sized, dungeon-like venue; as the term suggests, chamber music was traditionally performed in cozy quarters such as palace chambers. more ›

Chicago's snowballing new music scene won't let summer - the usual downtime for musicians - slow it down. Tonight is the premiere of Dusk Variations, a new series of four free contemporary music concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. more ›