Rush Hour Concerts, NFP (now Known As International Music Foundation)

*On October 3, 2016, Rush Hour Concerts merged with the International Music Foundation of Chicago. All six of the two organizations' programs continue under one umbrella, IMF. Our vision is to create world-class music programs, partner with cultural and civic organizations across Chicago, and develop new opportunities to bring classical music to people of all ages and backgrounds. Rush Hour Concerts work to create a musical culture in Chicago informed by the demands of contemporary lifestyles, bold in its reach across all communities, and grounded in the “experiential.” Three pillars of Rush Hour Concerts: The Summer Concert Series is a weekly free, public concert series held at St. James Cathedral on Tuesday evenings June-August with a brief pubic reception followed by a 30 minute program featuring world-class local musicians and ensembles. Our corner stone program is now in its 16th year since being founded by Chicago cultural icon and beloved musician Deborah Sobol. Make Music Chicago is a day long celebration of music-making around Chicagoland each summer solstice. 2015 marks our 6th year as the umbrella organization for our city's participation in the global Fête de la Musique, launched in 1982 in France, and now held on June 21 in more than 700 cities in 103 countries. Our Community Engagement projects bring expert musical instruction to under-resourced neighborhoods in Chicago through a long-term strategy of artistic and community collaboration. Recently, RHC launched residency programs in two communities, East Garfield Park and the Back of the Yards, including partnerships with Third Coast Percussion, Axiom Brass, Spektral Quartet and Sones De Mexico, which are all ensembles who have been important artistic components in our summer concert series as well.