Free Classical, Jazz Marathon in West Loop

Free Classical, Jazz Marathon in West Loop

Advanced conservatory students performing Feb. 19 & 20

CHICAGO, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 360 of Merit School of Music's most advanced classical and jazz students are playing free for the public during its "Performathon" extravaganza, Feb. 19 and 20, at the school's West Loop music center.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100216/AQ55879LOGO)

This year's 29th annual Performathon, at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, 38 S. Peoria St., just west of Greektown, will feature close to 100 different performances and events, including:

-- orchestra, band, chorus, jazz and chamber music ensembles
-- original compositions by students
-- jazz legend Ramsey Lewis in-person to accept Merit's Champion Award at
11:35 a.m. Saturday
-- a salute to notable Chicago arts supporters Russ and Pam Strobel at 1
p.m. Saturday
-- live broadcast by 98.7 WFMT from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday

There is no admission fee and the event is open to the public. Performathon runs 7 - 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, and 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Merit School of Music is a non-profit providing music instruction to 7,000 Chicago-area students, from newborns to age 18. Students in Performathon are Merit's most advanced; they are accepted into the school's Tuition-free Conservatory (TfC) through auditions. The TfC is true to its name - none of its students pays tuition to participate. Costs for this esteemed program are covered by Merit School of Music's generous donors.

Last year, donors contributed $3.2 million to cover more than half of Merit's operating expenses. In addition to keeping the conservatory tuition free, donors subsidize program costs for qualified younger students enrolled in the school's beginning and intermediate programs, many who will continue mastering their instruments and one day join the TfC.

A key part of Merit School of Music's mission is to remove economic barriers to participation in its musical performance programs. In this regard, Merit has been "making music ... building lives" in Chicago for 30 years. For more information, please visit meritmusic.org.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100216/AQ55879LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Merit School of Music

CONTACT: Doug Dusik of Merit School of Music, +1-312-267-4485,
Ddusik@meritmusic.org

Web Site: http://www.meritmusic.org/

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