How great is the academic calendar?^[1] We thought about getting a PhD solely so we could be on that schedule. Unfortunately, carving out a career as a college professor is as daunting as...well, as being an orchestral musician. more ›

7:00 p.m., Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $10 more ›

A key talking point in the communications surrounding the hiring of Riccardo Muti as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was the importance of engaging the community beyond the slender slice of socioeconomic pie that is the traditional classical music audience. We're cynics by nature, so we reacted to Muti's Euro-charming press conference pronouncements like Larry David eyeballing a suspected liar. But much to our pleasant surprise, the Muti-era CSO has been following through on their lofty promises. more ›

Nearly three years after their formation, Wicker Park Choral Singers is still going strong. They play two free shows this weekend. more ›

Think of a breathier Neko Case incorporating elements of electronica, Mexican pop and rock and a penchant for getting lost singing passionate nonverbal passages and you have an idea of what Ely Guerra sounds like. more ›

Did you know that, before he became a cult figure on The Office, Creed Bratton was a member of 60's pop act The Grass Roots. He's playing Elbo Room tomorrow night? more ›

In addition to programming the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Jazz Institute of Chicago engages in educational outreach, conducting workshops and seminars, and hosting concerts throughout the city, especially along its farthest reaches in neighborhoods like Englewood, South Shore, and Austin. more ›

With concert season in full swing, busy weeks are expected, but even with that in mind this week is a little hectic. Here's the short list of concerts we're trying to get to. more ›

Sure, they wear tuxedos to work, but the Chicago Symphony Orchestra still likes to party, and they’re inviting you to a couple throwdowns to kick off the 2010-2011 season. Sunday’s free concert in Millennium Park will mark the official beginning of the reign of new music director Riccardo Muti. The stacked program, featuring Ottorino Respighi’s "Pines of Rome," the Overture to Giuseppe Verdi’s "La Forza del Destino, Franz Liszt’s "Les Preludes," and Peter Tchaikovsky’s "Romeo and Juliet" (a piece you already know), begins at 5:30 p.m., but performances by various area youth ensembles get started at 2:00 p.m. more ›

The Grant Park Music Festival kicks off its 76th season tomorrow night with a one-night-only program featuring works by Hector Berlioz, Antonio Vivaldi, and Ottorino Respighi, followed this weekend by concerts of religious music by Joseph Haydn, Paul Hindemith, and Ludwig van Beethoven. more ›

The Chicago World Music Festival keeps rolling this week, with tons of concerts going on throughout the city through Thursday. If you didn't make it to any performances this past weekend, you're in luck. Not only are there still lots of good acts, apparently most of the venues got tired of taking money. Look at all the free concerts! more ›

The Grant Park Music Festival's 75th season gets started tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The anniversary celebration kicks off with concerts on Wednesday and Friday at the Pritzker Pavilion and on Saturday in the Harris Theater. more ›