(Photo courtesy of Seattle Symphony)

The Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago is celebrating its 15th anniversary by announcing its new name, “Art Song Chicago.”

As Chicago’s premier institution devoted to the study and performance of art song and vocal chamber music, the new name reflects a bold vision for the future of art song performance in the city.

In a statement, Executive Director Eric Ferring said,  “As we step into our 15th anniversary season, we are thrilled to embark on this new chapter as Art Song Chicago. This new name reflects who we’ve always been at our core: passionate champions of art song in the city we call home.”

Tenor Nicholas Pahn, Art Song Chicago’s Artistic Director and co-founder, added, “Marking this milestone with the adoption of our new name feels both natural and inspiring. Art Song Chicago captures the essence of our mission: to advocate for the art of song and to shape Chicago into a vibrant, international hub for this deeply human and powerful form of musical storytelling, where artists and listeners can connect through the power of music and poetry. This milestone reflects not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going—together with our artists, audiences, and community.”

2025 COLLABORATIVE WORKS FESTIVAL

The season begins with Art Song Chicago’s annual Collaborative Works Festival, which will explore “Songs of War and Peace.”

Regarding the festival theme Phan said, “In a world facing numerous conflicts–from the ongoing crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar to the war against migrants felt here at home–how could we not explore the ways composers and poets have responded to conflict and aspired toward peace. Throughout history, periods of violence and conflict have birthed some of the most important art, and song is no exception.”

The festival will feature two concerts, including works by Henri Duparc, Gustav Mahler, and Robert Schumann, as well as pieces by Mohammed Fairouz, Errollyn Wallen, Matthew Recio, and Damien Geter.

Phan will perform alongside sopranos Raquel Gonzalez and Vanessa Beccera, mezzo-sopranos Sophia Maekawa and Zoie Reams, baritones Evan Bravos, Leroy Davis, and Schyler Vargas.

Pianist Kuang-Hao Huang, Principal horn of the Chicago Symphony, Mark Almon, Art Song Chicago Executive Director, and tenor Eric Ferring, and Eighth Blackbird Artistic Co-Directors Lisa Kaplan (piano) and Matthew Duvall (percussion) will also perform.

Performance Dates: Sept. 4-6, 2025, at Roosevelt University’s Ganz Hall.

2025-26 LIEDER LOUNGE SERIES

Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and John Churchwell will perform a recital entitled “Departure” with music by Korngold, Schumann, works from Nussbaum Cohen’s Jewish heritage, songs by Black American composers H. Leslie Adams and Florence Price, and a new work composed for this program by Jake Heggie.

Performance Date: Nov. 16, 2025

Samantha Hankey and Myra Huang take on Schumann’s “Dichterliebe.”

Performance Date: Jan. 25, 2026

Helen Zhibing Huang and Alice Chung lead a recital entitled Girls of Yellow Diamonds alongside pianist Yasuko Oura. The recital is a musical journey through the lives of Asian-American women—past, present, and future.

Performance Date: May 1, 2026