CHICAGO (October 12, 2016) – The Boards of Directors of International Music Foundation and Rush Hour Concerts, two of Chicago’s most distinguished classical music presenting organizations, are pleased to announce their merger into one robust non-profit, retaining the name International Music Foundation, effective immediately. Longtime International Music Foundation Executive Director Ann Murray will continue in this role, and Rush Hour Concerts Executive Director Kitty Rothschild will serve as Merger Transition Director through the end of the year. Artistic direction will be shared by Rush Hour Concerts’ talented trio ofAnthony Devroye, Kuang-Hao Huang and Brant Taylor, with Artistic Direction for the Do-It-Yourself Messiah and the weekly Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts continuing to be led by the distinguished artistic team of Elizabeth Buccheri, James Setapen, Andrea Swan, Mathias Tacke and Richard Young.
The merger takes place at an important time in the history of International Music Foundation as it commemorates its 40th anniversary in 2017. As Chicago's landmark musical institutions, both International Music Foundation and Rush Hour Concerts are grounded in the shared missions to reach across all communities with new ways for audiences to experience world-class music here. Given the unique synergies in their programming, the new International Music Foundation will continue the traditions of both organizations while maintaining a mission to attract and develop younger and more diverse audiences and to provide enhanced performance opportunities to established and emerging musicians year-round.
Read profiles of Dame Myra Hess musicians here.
Photos: Elliott Mandel
