The Music Institute of Chicago offers a variety of rental opportunities at all campuses to those seeking the perfect place for their next special event, performance, meeting, or rehearsal.

Nichols Concert Hall | 1490 Chicago Avenue | Evanston, IL  60201

Originally designed by noted architect Solon S. Beman as the architecturally and acoustically magnificent First Church of Christ, Scientist, the building was sensitively restored in 2003 to become Nichols Concert Hall, a state-of-the-art, 550-seat performance space and music education destination, easily accessible to numerous restaurants, on-street and metered parking, and the Davis Street CTA and Metra stations. The converted building, featuring a fully restored, 1914 E. M. Skinner pipe organ, received the Richard H. Driehaus Award for best adaptive use by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. 

Each year Nichols Concert Hall reaches approximately 15,000 people and hosts a world-class chamber music series, workshops and master classes, student recitals, and special events. 

For more information about hall schematics, recording at the hall, available equipment and instruments, etc., please click here.  Please direct rental requests to Kevin Harrison.

Additional practice, meeting, or performance space are available at Evanston, Winnetka, and Lake Forest locations.

Rehearse in a quiet, comfortable and sound isolated room! Contact your preferred campus to find out availability.
 
Evanston: 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL  60201
Winnetka: 300 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL  60093
Lake Forest: 40 East Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL  60045

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Recording at Nichols Concert Hall

Recording Fees

  • Currently registered MIC students and alumni:
    • $125 for first hour
    • $75 each additional hour (maximum 3 hours)
  • All other recordings:
    • $150 for first hour
    • $100 each additional hour
  • The following additional fees may also apply:
    • $50 piano fee per session
    • $25 warm-up fee (restricted to half an hour before the recording—by appointment only)

Nichols Concert Hall Recording Requests

Complete the form at the link below to make your Nichols Concert Hall recording request. Your request is not considered confirmed until written notification from the Deputy Director of Operationss is received. Payment is due prior to the recording and can be made by credit card (online), or by check (at the recording session).

Please Note:

  • The Deputy Director of Operations will respond to your request within one (1) business day.
  • Following confirmation, you will receive an invoice for the total cost. This invoice should be paid in full prior to your session time.
  • Session times are booked in 1-hour increments.
  • Use of the Hamburg Steinway is reserved for solo pianists only.
  • No entrance will be given to Nichols Concert Hall before the confirmed arrival or warm-up time.

Submit your recording request now

Instruments & Equipment

Pianos and Harpsichord

  • American Steinway D 9-foot concert grand (in concert hall only)
  • Hamburg Steinway D 9-foot concert grand (in concert hall only)
  • American Steinway B grand piano (in lobby only)
  • Ruckers/Taskin double manual harpsichord (2x8, 1x4, lute stop, coupler, peau de boufle), by Frank Hubbard, 1973
  • Dulcken single manual harpsichord (2x8, 1x4) built by Matthew James Redsell in 1980, rebuilt by Paul Y. Irvin in 1997

Organ

  • E. M. Skinner 3-manual, 25 rank pipe organ, opus 208, completed 1914 (in concert hall only)

Other Equipment

  • Percussion: instruments vary
  • Four sets of three-tier Wenger choral risers
  • 8-inch high conductor's podium
  • 60 matched Manhasset music stands
  • Six 6-foot folding banquet tables
  • Three 3-foot round tables
  • 100 matched folding chairs