MAKE THE FESTIVAL SEASON YOUR OWN.

Choose Your Own 4, 8 or 12 Concert Membership!

With temperatures in the 20s and snow expected tomorrow night, it’s only natural to think that summer will never come. Today, we invite you to explore the Festival’s 2018 season and count down with us to another Classic Chicago summer with the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus.

You can enjoy all your favorite classical works, plus the sounds of Broadway and film scores brought to life, with a Festival Choose Your Own membership. You'll have reserved seats close to the stage, exclusive benefits like easy exchange privileges and discounts on parking and dining. Best of all, your membership helps keep the Festival free for more than 300,000 Chicagoans and visitors each year.

Reserve your seats at gpmf.org or call Patron Services at 312.742.7647 between 10 AM and 4 PM for customized service. Packages start as low as $96!

CONCERTMASTER JEREMY BLACK'S TOP PICKS FOR SUMMER

When Jeremy Black's friends asked which concerts to see this summer, he created a Choose Your Own package that included some of his favorite music and visiting guest artists.

He selected four concerts, then added extra passes for Carmina Burana to the package. Reserved seating for Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, where Jeremy will lead members of the Grant Park Orchestra in a chamber concert, was also included as a perk of membership.

Jeremy's Choose Your Own package included:

June 23 Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3 with Natasha Paremski
June 29 and 30 Janáček's Sinfonietta paired with Dvorák's Cello Concerto
July 18 Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante
August 8 Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with George Li

Anyone can create a Choose Your Own package that combines their favorite music and works with their personal schedule. Order online or call Patron Services at 312.742.7647 for help to customize your package.

RACHMANINOV'S VESPERS FEATURING THE GRANT PARK CHORUS ON WFMT

If you missed the Grant Park Chorus performing Rachmaninov’s Vespers at the South Shore Cultural Center last summer, you have one more chance to hear it—Monday, April 9 at 8 PM on 98.7WFMT.

“Rachmaninoff’s Vespers is one of the all-time greatest works of a cappella choral music,” said WFMT music director Andi Lamoreaux.

“I have been privileged to conduct the Grant Park Chorus in Vespers twice over the last 18 years. The range of their sound and their commitment in performance made both of these occasions most memorable,” shared the Festival’s chorus director Christopher Bell.

They’ve been called one of the top symphony choruses by the Chicago Tribune and are sure to shine in 2018, when they’ll be seen in six different programs, including Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast on opening night and Carmina Burana on closing weekend of the season.

Can’t make it to a Grant Park Music Festival concert this summer? Many of the Festival’s concerts will again be broadcast on 98.7WFMT, a longstanding partner, friend and collaborator of the Festival.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S YEAR OF CREATIVE YOUTH

When you get to Millennium Park early on a Friday night this summer, be sure to check out the performers at the front of the Great Lawn. You might find the four teens on trombone who make up Merit School of Music’s The Bone Rangers, or the 50 young musicians from the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project playing Beethoven.

On Fridays at 5:30 before the Grant Park Orchestra takes the stage, audiences will be treated to concerts by students from local music schools as part of the Festival’s Young Artist Showcase.

And, it’s not just before the concert takes place. As part of the City of Chicago’s Year of Creative Youth, the Festival will shine a spotlight on some of its gifted young guest artists including 16 year old pianist Emily Bear, 22 year old pianist George Li, 24 year old violinist William Hagen, 25 year old cellist Pablo Ferrández, along with members from Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.

Read here about other Year of Creative Youth happenings in Millennium Park.

CITY ANNOUNCES UPDATED SECURITY PLAN IN MILLENNIUM PARK

Beginning in May and running through September, the City of Chicago and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will be implementing a new security perimeter and bag check policy for all concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

While no particular incident has spurred this new policy, the City of Chicago is constantly evaluating its procedures regarding the safety and well-being of its patrons. Given the fact that security issues have become a daily part of our lives, the City wishes to be proactive.

For most Grant Park Music Festival concerts, bag checks will be limited to matters of security, with firearms, knives and other weapons being prohibited to ensure the public's safety. However, for the Independence Day Salute on July 4, patrons will not be able to bring alcohol into the Park. Beer and wine will still be available for purchase at concession tents inside the Park.

We encourage everyone to arrive early when attending a concert this summer.

SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL FROM YOUR PHONE

We are honored to receive private support from individuals who believe that a free classical music festival is an investment in the life of the city--today and in the future. Your generosity enables us to honor our commitment to help keep summer performances free and open to all.

Text GPMF to 56512 to connect everyone with the power of music! (Message and data rates may apply). Our thanks for your gift of any amount.

Donate Today