Ravinia Festival Association

Founded in 1904, Ravinia is both the longest running and the most artistically diverse outdoor music Festival in north america. Approximately 400,000 people visit Ravinia between june and september each year across more than 100 separate events that highlight genres as wide-ranging as the audiences. Classical music is a special focus at Ravinia dating back to its first concerts, including a regular series of performances by the chicago symphony orchestra, which has formally been in summer residence at the Festival since 1936.

Ravinia's reach teach play programs serve over 75,000 people in chicago-area communities, opening doors where everyone can access and experience the positive impact of live music. Several programs extend Ravinia's reach into chicago and lake county public schools that otherwise have little to no music curriculum of their own, providing 20,000 students with live performances and integrative activities that spark a love of music and invite exploration of varied genres and styles, as well as programs that teach the foundations of music and encourage children to engage in music-making and express themselves creatively. Ravinia gives students the opportunity to play musical instruments, develop their talents, and create pathways for continued success through a community family music school in lawndale, el sistema-inspired orchestral programs that foster social development, and a mentorship program for high school jazz musicians. In addition, Ravinia provides free passes to concerts throughout the summer through partnerships with 200 social service agencies.

The Ravinia steans music institute (rsmi) is an international destination for young professional classical pianists and string players, classical singers, and jazz musicians devoted to uniquely honing and advancing their talents as collaborative artists. Each summer 65 artists receive fully paid fellowships to engage in coachings and master classes with leading global artists, learn valuable skills necessary for successful concert careers, and perform on the stage of Ravinia's bennett gordon hall. Rsmi presents about two dozen free or low-priced performances throughout the summer for Ravinia audiences and in local venues.