May 18, 2020
Decade of Building to Continue at Chicago Sinfonietta: Board Announces Unanimous Three-Year Extension to Music Director Mei-Ann Chen's Contract

The Board of the Chicago Sinfonietta has unanimously elected to extend Music Director Mei-Ann Chen's contract through the 2023-24 season, another three years. Since 2011, Mei-Ann Chen has served the Chicago area as Music Director of the award-winning 33-year old orchestra. During her tenure, she has redefined orchestra programming and strongly positioned the organization at the forefront of bold, innovative initiatives.

Only the second Music Director in the history of the nation's most diverse orchestra, following in the footsteps of its founder, the late Maestro Paul Freeman, under Chen's tenure the Sinfonietta has received an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming , was named "The city's hippest orchestra" by the Chicago Tribune, expanded the successful and groundbreaking Project Inclusion Fellowship Program, and received the prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions and the Spirit of Innovation Award by the Chicago Innovation Awards.

During her time, the orchestra has also released two acclaimed recordings on the Cedille Records label: "Project W - Works by Diverse Women Composers" (March 2019), featuring the world premiere recordings of newly commissioned American works by Jennifer Higdon, Clarice Assad, Reena Esmail, Jessie Montgomery, and William Grant Still's orchestral arrangement of Florence Price's Dances in the Canebrakes; and "Delights and Dances" (June 2013) featuring the Harlem Quartet. During Maestra Chen's tenure, such eclectic guest artists as the Marcus Roberts Trio, Chicago-based performance art marching band Mucca Pazza, NIU Steelband directed by Liam Teague, astronomer/visual artist José Francisco Salgado, tap master Cartier Williams, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, the Mandala Arts Dance Ensemble, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, renowned painters the Zhou Brothers, NewMoon Chicago, Cuerdas Clasicas, hip-hop dancers FootworKINGz & Kuuba Lynx, to name a few, have graced the Sinfonietta concert stage in enthusiastically received electric collaborations.

Chicago Sinfonietta Board of Directors Chair Scott Hoesman stated, "Maestra Chen has been innovating and bringing dynamic new ways to engage audiences since her Sinfonietta arrival in 2011. While today's Covid-19 related challenges are numerous, Mei-Ann's continued leadership as our Music Director will help ensure we harness the power of our richly diverse organization to carve a fresh and meaningful path forward. Our mission of championing diversity, equity and inclusion by creating bold symphonic experiences is needed by Chicago and world now more than ever - music can and does heal - that is why the board of directors is beyond thrilled to continue the partnership with the incomparable Chen."

"I'm thrilled Chicago Sinfonietta will continue to build on the momentum of Maestra Mei-Ann Chen's bold artistic leadership," said newly elected Chief Executive Officer Blake-Anthony Johnson. "Her tenure highlights her creative and thoughtful spirit, which continually pushes the organization to be innovative and relevant to the communities in which we serve. She is a true partner in both music and mission, and I'm pleased to begin Chicago Sinfonietta's next exciting chapter together."

"I am deeply honored to have the support of the Board, our staff, and musicians and to continue our musical journey together," stated Ms. Chen. "The Chicago Sinfonietta musicians are an incredibly talented and passionate group, and each year that we have worked together we have strengthened our musical identity. It is a pleasure to stand on the podium and lead the nation's most diverse ensemble, and to continue to not only champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, but to help mentor the musicians of tomorrow through Project Inclusion Fellowships, and to share exciting, innovative and powerful performances with our audiences while continuing to expand our reach in the community.

"Today, as we face unprecedented challenges not only in our society but throughout the world from COVID-19, I treasure this special musical family and the community to which we belong even more. I am confident that together, we will emerge from this period more creative, closer and stronger than ever. "

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