Dear curiosity seeker,
We know you love the arts, but what is it that inspires you to carve out a Saturday night, splurge for a babysitter, postpone a Netflix binge, or do battle with Chicago traffic?
Do you seek a much-needed escape into something sublime? Are you angling for a brain-spark that ignites your intellect – or maybe a euphoric escape – after a formidable work week? Perhaps you enjoy staying on top of the art world’s cutting-edge?
Painting to a live soundtrack at ‘Paint Your Feelings’ in 2018 (photo by Daniel Kullman)
We’re here for you with more than a dozen events produced around the city every year. Today, we are asking you to support some of the most fun, stimulating and provocative programming in our beloved city of Chicago.
The nature walk portion of Tonia Ko’s “Plain, Air” at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve (2018) (photo by Daniel Kullman)
Premiering Samuel Adam’s “Current” in the vault of the Stony Island Arts Bank at ‘The Modern Salon: South Side Edition’ in 2019 (photo by Daniel Kullman)
We’ve had some big wins this year, from our second GRAMMY nomination, to our appearance on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” series, to our first successful National Endowment for the Arts grant. But what’s most exciting to us is the community of curious, adventurous music lovers (that’s you!) we are building here in Chicago.
Miguel Zenón & Spektral at NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concerts’
Next season we’ll focus on presenting voices that are more often than not underrepresented on classical stages, filling a void left by the legacy musical institutions in this city. And we’ll make space for these artists to tell us their stories - to share their experiences and obsessions, and what inspires them to create the music that’s meaningful to them.
(left to right) Alex Temple, Julia Holter, Nathalie Joachim, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Shulamit Ran, Lisa Coons
We’re partnering with the Adler Planetarium – and lighting up your inner science nerd – for a new commission from composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir featuring 360-degree video art. We’re releasing a new album with flutist/composer/vocalist Nathalie Joachim that pays tribute to the incredible female singers of her native Haiti. We’re commissioning a new work by Chicago luminary Bernard Rands, along with 9 world premieres by Chicago Composers’ Consortium members, each inspired by Bernard’s music. We’re bringing you unparalleled, immersive experiences through our ongoing Close Encounters and Once More, With Feeling! series, the latter featuring live conversations with Shulamit Ran, Alex Temple, and LJ White.
None of this will be possible without your generosity, which we depend on to dream up, develop, and produce these memorable events, so please don’t just set this letter aside. Because we are a small, nimble organization, whatever amount you are able to give today goes directly into producing the music. Whether it’s $20 or $2,000, your gift makes the remarkable a reality.
But wait….there’s more! This year we’re paying it forward by donating a full 10% of funds raised during this campaign to a stand-out organization that we think is doing critical work. TECHNE is a national arts education organization with programming here in Chicago whose mission is to build inclusivity and close the gender gap within creative technology fields. Their primary programs introduce young women and girls to technology-focused art making, in context with musical improvisation, contemplative practice and social justice education.
Phenomenal, right? Your gift today will have a double impact, moving the needle on inclusivity and widening the range of experiences represented on stages across the country. Please consider making your donation today.
With gratitude,
Clara & Maeve & Doyle & Russ
PS - We welcome donations by check, on our website at spektralquartet.com/donate, or on our Facebook page. Spektral Quartet NFP is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and all donations are deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.