Music Institute of Chicago

Music Institute of Chicago Announces
Dr. Mark George as New President and CEO
December 8, 2009

Chicago, IL - The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mark George as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Music Institute of Chicago.  Dr. George, current Director of the Hartt School Music Division in West Hartford, Connecticut, will assume his new post in February 2010 and oversee all areas of the organization including the Community School, Academy, Institute for Therapy through the Arts, and Cultural Events.

Dr. George succeeds past President Sel Kardan who accepted the position of President of The Colburn School in Los Angeles, California this fall.  During his four-year tenure, Mr. Kardan was responsible for a number of growth initiatives including the addition of new campuses in Highland Park and Lake Forest and the creation of the Academy, a pre-conservatory program for gifted young musicians.

MIC Board Treasurer, John Piepgras, led the search committee for Mr. Kardan's successor.  After an efficient and well-organized search, Dr. George was named from a highly esteemed group of applicants.  Dr. Gerald O. Strauch, MIC Board of Trustee Chair commented, "We are eagerly anticipating Mark's arrival.  His experiences as a teacher, musician, and leader makes him ideal, and we firmly believe he will support MIC's strong tradition of music education."  Dr. George remarked, " I am so pleased to be joining the Music Institute of Chicago, an institution of such high quality and national renown.  It is an honor to be given the opportunity to lead MIC into what will surely be a very bright future."

Dr. Mark George
Dr. Mark George has served as director of the Hartt School Community Division since 2007.  While at the Hartt School, he developed several new Community Division programs including the David Einfeldt Chamber Music Seminar and the International Summer Ballet Academy.

Before joining the Hartt School, Dr. George served as Manager of Community Music Education, and subsequently as the Director of Distance Learning for the Cleveland Institute of Music.  As director, Dr. George established his program as a national leader in adapting interactive videoconference technologies for music performance and teaching.  He has produced thousands of music related videoconferences for a diverse array of schools, from primary levels to international conservatories of music. 

An accomplished pianist, Dr. George has extensive experience both as a teacher and performer.  He has held faculty positions at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve University, Mount Union College and Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music.  A highly regarded pianist, he has performed and recorded extensively throughout the United States.  His chamber ensemble, North Coast Trio, has won major competitions including grand-prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and first prize co-winner of the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition.  He has appeared frequently as a recitalist and soloist with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Trinity Chamber Orchestra, Epicycle: An Ensemble for New Music, the University Circle Wind Ensemble and many others.  Dr. George also led the resurgence of the 2006 Grammy award-winning Cleveland Chamber Symphony, an orchestral ensemble dedicated to contemporary music.  His board level leadership, striking performances, and inventive programming ideas helped to re-establish the ensemble as a major contemporary music force.

Dr. George holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Master of Music degree from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

 

MUSIC INSTITUTE KICKS OFF 80TH ANNIVERSARY AT ANNAUL GALA MAY 11, 2010
Y0-Y0 MA TO RECEIVE DUSHKIN AWARD

Celebrating 80 years of promoting lifelong engagement with music through education and performance, the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) hosts its annual gala Tuesday, May 11 at the Four Season Hotel Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place.  Highlighting the evening is the presentation of the Dushkin Award to internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

The eveing begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by an elegant dinner, live auction, and awards presentation.  The Dushkin Award, established 25 years ago and named for MIC's visionary founders Dorothy and David Dushkin, honors those who exemplify the spirit of the award as exceptional artists, music educators, and role models for MIC students.  This year's recipient, Yo-Yo Ma, who was recently appointed the Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has a strong commitment to educational programs, while maintaining an extensive career as a performer and recording artist.

Ma commented saying, "I am deeply honored to accept the Dushkin Award and humbled to join the ranks of such a distinguished group of awardees.  Throughout its 79-year history, the Institute has focused on individual learning, creativity, and music in the community, and its alumni include many exceptional performers worldwide.  I celebrate the Music Institute of Chicago's dedication to providing the foundation for lifelong enjoyment of music."

In addition, on the occasion of this special anniversary celebration, an inaugural "Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago" will be presented to John Bryan, Joan and Irving (posthumously) Harris, and Cindy Pritzker for their respective roles in the creation of what has become an international destination:  Millennium Park.  Their combined leadership, vision, and unparalleled philanthropy has inspired a new generation of philanthropists who ensure Chicago's strong cultural and civic identity for future generations.

MIC's annual gala is the single largest source of scholarship and financial aid; the generosity of individuals and companies during the past year allowed more than 500 students and clients to receive more than $500,000 in financial aid and scholarships.

Individual tickets to the event are $550. 
For more information, please call 847.448.8327.

Check out this recent performance with Yo-Yo Ma and MIC alumnus Gabriel Cabezas