MIC Gala Benefit
May 13, 2025
RECEPTION 5:30 PM
DINNER AND PERFORMANCES 6:45 PM
EVENT CONCLUDES 9:00 PM
The Four Seasons Chicago
120 East Delaware Place, Chicago, IL, 60611
Cocktail attire
Join the Music Institute of Chicago for an inspiring evening in support of artistically excellent, accessible music education for all. The evening begins with a private cocktail reception. An elegant dinner follows, peppered by performances from Music Institute students and faculty and an award ceremony for the 2025 Honorees, all celebrating the Music Institute's vision of cultivating a lifelong relationship with music for everyone.
Proceeds from the annual Gala support excellence in teaching at MIC, upholding a standard and tradition centuries in the making. The Gala also provides the single largest source of funds for financial aid and scholarships, tuition-free community engagement, and neighborhood-based service activities. We hope you’ll help us again to positively impact thousands of musicians and music lovers of all ages and backgrounds from nearly 100 Illinois communities and scores of Chicago neighborhoods.
HONORING
J. Thomas Hurvis
Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago
Paquito D'Rivera
David and Dorothy Dushkin Award
Sang Mee Lee
Richard D. Colburn Award
for Teaching Excellence
More about the Cultural Visionary Award
Founded in 2010, the Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago is awarded by the Music Institute to individuals who possess the qualities that six generations of the city's forebears have successfully used to advance the civic and cultural presence of Chicago: a commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens; a commitment to using the "power" of public and private partnership to expand access to diverse cultural offerings for all citizens; a commitment to advancing a strong spirit of philanthropy to build a sense of ownership and pride in our city, and; a commitment to preparing succeeding generations of citizens to continue Chicago's rich legacy of civic and cultural pride.
Past Cultural Visonary Award Recipients
2024 Fran and John Edwardson
2023 Karen Gray-Krehbiel and John Krehbiel
2022 Nancy and Scott Santi
2021 Linda and Bill Gantz
2020 Helen Zell
2019 Caryn and King Harris
2018 Frederick H. Waddell
2017 Susan and Richard (in memory) Kiphart
2016 Lois M. and Harrison I. Steans
2015 Mary B. Galvin
2014 Alexandra and John Nichols
2013 Jim and Kay Mabie
2012 Marilynn B. Alsdorf
2011 Sandra and Jack Guthman
2010 John H. Bryan, Joan W. Harris and Cindy Pritzker
More about the Dushkin Award
The Dushkin Award was established in 1985 to honor the memory of the Music Institute's founders, Dorothy and David Dushkin. This internationally-recognized award has been presented to some of the most revered and accomplished musical artists and composers of our time, all of who have a deeply rooted passion for music education.
Past DUSHKIN Award Recipients
2024 Marcus Roberts
2023 Marin Alsop
2022 Hilary Hahn
2021 Zubin Mehta
2020 Evgeny Kissin
2019 Wynton Marsalis
2018 Pinchas Zukerman
2017 Rachel Barton Pine
2016 Joshua Bell
2015 Deborah Rutter
2014 André Previn
2013 Lang Lang
2012 Stephen Sondheim
2011 Riccardo Muti
2010 Yo-Yo Ma
2009 James Conlon
2008 Steve Robinson & Bill McGlaughlin
2007 Leon Fleisher
2006 Midori
2005 William Mason
2004 Renée Fleming
2003 Sir Andrew Davis
2002 Mstislav Rostropovich
2001 Isaac Stern
2000 Christoph Eschenbach
1999 Pierre Boulez
1998 Zarin Mehta
1997 Samuel Ramey
1996 William Warfield
1995 Placido Domingo
1994 Henry Fogel, Daniel Barenboim (Honored Guest)
1993 Bruno Bartoletti
1992 Margaret Hillis
1993 Mr. & Mrs. William A. Boone
1990 Sherrill Milnes
1989 Sir Georg and Lady Solti
1987 Ardis Krainik
1986 Louis Sudler, Sr.
1985 Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth F. Montgomery
More about the Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence
Founded in 2014, the Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence is presented to faculty members of the Music Institute of Chicago who exemplify the high standard of excellence set by Richard D. Colburn in his many musical endeavors. The Music Institute values great teaching above all, and takes great pride in its faculty's ability to teach not only art and technique but to create a forum for joyful playing and collaboration with other musicians. We applaud our faculty for sharing their gifts with the wider community.
Past RICHARD D. COLBURN Award FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE Recipients
2024 Erica Anderson, MIC Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Department Chair, oboe faculty
2023 Barbara Ann Martin, voice faculty
2022 Dr. Tanya L. Carey, cello faculty
2021 Nina and Daniel Wallenberg, cello faculty (Nina), Director MIC Chorale and musicianship faculty (Daniel)
2020 Arlene Stokman and Abraham Stokman, piano faculty
2019 Susan Charles, voice faculty
2018 Stanley Davis, clarinet and saxophone faculty
2017 Elaine Felder, MIC Piano Department Chair, piano and chamber music faculty
2016 Roland and Almita Vamos, violin and viola faculty
2015 Gilda Barston, Dean Emeritus, cello faculty
2014 Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem, piano and chamber music faculty, Artists in Residence
Gala Leadership
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the 2025 Gala Benefit!
Consider one of four sponsorship levels, purchase individual tickets ($750), or make a donation. Contributions of all sizes are meaningful and help to ensure that the Music Institute of Chicago is able to deliver high-quality music education now, and well into the future.
Patron $10,000
- Gala Committee listing on the invitation
- Preferred table for up to ten guests
- Half page Gala program book salute ad
- Recognition on the MIC website and day of event signage
Champion $15,000
- Gala Committee listing on the invitation
- Priority table for up to ten guests
- Full page Gala program book salute ad
- Logo recognition on the MIC website and day of event signage
Benefactor $25,000
- Host Committee listing on the invitation
- Prime table for up to ten guests
- Full page Gala program book salute ad
- Featured recognition on Gala print and digital media (press release, program book, digital event media, event signage, MIC website, and social media)
Grand Benefactor $50,000
- Host Committee listing on the invitation
- Premiere table for up to ten guests
- Full page Gala program book salute ad (premium positioning: e.g. inside front or back cover)
- Featured recognition on Gala print and digital media (press release, program book, digital event media, event signage, MIC website, and social media)
- Private recital by an MIC Academy student (to be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time)
Thanks to our Sponsors
Patron of the arts - $100,000
Grand Benefactor - $50,000
Benefactor $25,000
Patron - $10,000