Midwest Young Artists to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Symphony Center Concert Event with David Hyde Pierce & Nathan Gunn

(Highwood, IL) -  Top rated Illinois youth music school Midwest Young Artists (MYA) is pleased to announce the details of their 20th Anniversary concert event at Symphony Center in Chicago on December 28th at 5:00pm in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. The award winning MYA Symphony Orchestra with MYA Alumni and the MYA Big Band will combine on stage for a powerful musical experience, all emceed by actor and advocate David Hyde Pierce. There will be a special performance by Pierce and vocalist Nathan Gunn that is sure to be unforgettable.  The concert will be followed by a dinner at The University Club, Chicago at 7:00pm. Proceeds from concert ticket sales and donations will benefit both MYA and the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter.

                Founded in 1993 with a single orchestra and fifty-five students, MYA has expanded over the last two decades to an organization that enriches the lives of over 1,000 students annually through its 8 orchestras, comprehensive Jazz program, 4 choral ensembles, 65+ chamber ensembles, National concerto & chamber music competitions, wind symphony, early childhood music & movement program, and community outreach activities. MYA provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students from 74 Chicago area communities to thrive musically and socially. The non-profit music school was looking for a special way in which to both celebrate this momentous anniversary and bring attention to an issue in which music plays an important role.

                  The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter serves over half a million Illinois residents with family support services, dementia research funding, and work to influence public policy in the fight against this disease. Some research shows that memories of or associated with music are treated differently by the human brain. A recent documentary and instances of clinical observation have shed light on a new tool in the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients: playing recognizable music from their past. Some patients will seem to “wake up” and become lucid, recalling when and where they listened to that song or the other when presented with their favorite old tunes. With a large population in America at retirement age, it seems appropriate to explore this connection.

            These two organizations are collaborating to promote this dual fundraiser concert in addition to an iPod drive for local Alzheimer’s patients in the Chicago area. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is: “To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.” MYA students will be able to share their love of music, and recordings of their own ensembles with members of the community who could use it the most.

                The Midwest Young Artists Symphony orchestra and Big Band will perform celebrated works like the Shostakovich Symphony 5 and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony for the crowd at Symphony Center, along with other classic compositions and swing hits. As mentioned, David Hyde Pierce will emcee the event. David is a longtime friend of the Alzheimer’s Association and previous distinguished guest speaker at the 2012 MYA Benefit. Preferred seating will be given to our dinner and concert combo patrons; the link to purchase combo tickets can be accessed here: www.mya.org/benefit/index.php Tickets for the concert only may be purchased online or in person at the Symphony Center website and box office at www.CSO.org.

                The public is also invited to a dinner to singularly benefit the Midwest Young Artists program after the concert at the historic University Club in downtown Chicago at 7:30pm. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased through the MYA website or by phone: www.MYA.org, (847) 926-9898. Please join us and help MYA celebrate 20 years of enriching the lives of its students and community through the power of music at this poignant event.

                For more information about this special evening, please call the MYA office at (847) 926-9898 or email mya@mya.org. The MYA Center is located at 878 Lyster Road, Highwood, IL.

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