Chicago Sinfonietta X Peter CottonTale

Peter Cottontale by Katie Levine

Chicago, IL - Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) today announced the details of acclaimed musician Peter CottonTale's collaboration with the 36-year-old orchestra as Artist in Residence during its upcoming season, RESONATE. His residency is an integral part of CS's 2023-24 season, an energetic, colorful soundscape of music that expands and amplifies the role of symphonic music in the 21st century. Mr. CottonTale's work will further highlight the power that music has to reach people, introduce new ways of thinking about music, as well as the diverse, intriguing ways that new and established musical ideas further connections.

As Artist in Residence, Mr. CottonTale will serve as Emcee for three subscription concerts this season; will be actively involved in six of Sinfonietta’s popular free-to-the-public community program events; appear at Chicago Sinfonietta's Annual Gala, Soundscape; host a Listening Party at Chicago's Soho House and participate in additional cutting-edge media projects throughout the season.

Stated President and Chief Executive Officer Blake-Anthony Johnson, “We are thrilled to have a musician of Peter CottonTale’s caliber join us in this important artistic endeavor. As Chicago Sinfonietta’s second Artist in Residence, following in the footsteps of Emmy-nominated composer, songwriter and musician Kathryn Bostic, his connection to Chicago as a native, his unique approach to music and his artistic passion and creativity is a fantastic fit. We look forward to his time with us and to the projects of which he’ll be a part.”

Mr. CottonTale responded “I am honored to be participating in the RESONATE season of the Chicago Sinfonietta in 2023-24. As someone who has always valued and benefited from the power of music, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my community through this experience. Music has taught me so much about our shared humanity and the ways in which we are all interconnected. I hope to highlight and spread my passion for music to others this season."                                          

Details on Mr. Cottontale's Chicago Sinfonietta activities follow below.

Chicago Sinfonietta
36th Season

RESONATE
(Subject to change)

Emceeing three season subscription concerts

Involvement in six Sinfonietta free-to-the-public community program events

Appearance at Chicago Sinfonietta's Annual Gala, Soundscape

Listening Party at Soho House

Media Projects

AMPLIFY Opening Night (Subscription Concert 1)
OCTOBER 5, 2023 AT 7:30 PM | WENTZ CONCERT HALL
OCTOBER 7, 2023 AT 7:30 PM | AUDITORIUM THEATRE

Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Peter CottonTale, emcee
Regina Harris BAIOCCHI Muse for Orchestra (Chicago Premiere)
Viet CUONG Re(new)al 
Chicago Sinfonietta percussionists and Cleo Goldberg, percussionist
Gustav MAHLER Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan” 

Chicago Sinfonietta’s 36^th season opens with AMPLIFY, featuring a Chicago Premiere in an exhilarating program celebrating music’s universal ability to connect us through the beauty of sound.

SOUNDSCAPE
Chicago Sinfonietta's Annual Gala
OCTOBER 28, 2023 | HOTEL FAIRMONT MILLENNIUM PARK

An unforgettable evening and one of Chicago's biggest social events of the season! Celebrating 36 years of groundbreaking innovation in the field of classical music, this popular annual event supports Chicago Sinfonietta's artistic and educational initiatives. Peter CottonTale will appear at the Gala. Tickets available on the website here.

PULSE MLK TRIBUTE CONCERT (Subscription Concert 3)
JANUARY 14, 2024 AT 3:00 PM | WENTZ CONCERT HALL
JANUARY 15, 2024 AT 7:30 PM | AUDITORIUM THEATRE

Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Peter CottonTale, emcee
Xavier Foley, double bassist/composer
Scott JOPLIN (orch. Gunther Schuller) Overture from Treemonisha
Xavier Dubois FOLEY "Victory" Concerto
Xavier Foley, double bassist
Margaret BONDS Montgomery Variations 

Chicago Sinfonietta’s popular annual Martin Luther King Tribute concert sets the pulse of hope, perseverance and progress.

   REVERB (Subscription Concert 5)
MAY 10, 2024 AT 7:30 PM | WENTZ CONCERT HALL
MAY 11, 2024 AT 7:30 PM | AUDITORIUM THEATRE

Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Peter CottonTale, emcee
George Li, pianist
Unsuk CHIN Subito con Forza (for orchestra)
Louise FARRENC Symphony No. 3
Carlos SIMON Profiles
Sergei RACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
George Li, pianist 

Chicago Sinfonietta reverberates with dynamic sound and energy as it closes its 2023-24 subscription series with an evening of energizing music featuring internationally renowned soloist pianist George Li.

Tickets for the above concerts may be purchased online at: chicagosinfonietta.org/36th or by calling the Box Office at: (312) 284-1554.

COMMUNITY PROGRAM EVENTS AND LISTENING PARTY

Mr. CottonTale’s Community Program events (six in total) will take place within Chicago Sinfonietta’s season-long, free -to-the-public Master Class Series. To be held at various community partner locations, exact dates, locations, and times will be announced closer to the opening of the season.

Details on Mr. CottonTale’s Listening Party at Soho House and his participation in an exciting, one-of-a-kind media project will also be revealed after the season opens.

PETER COTTONTALE
Chicago native Peter CottonTale is a Grammy Award winning producer, composer, musical director, and artist, principally known for his collaborations with Chance the Rapper, whose historic Grammy Award Winning album, Coloring Book, Peter executive produced. Peter independently released his debut album CATCH in April 2020, which KCRW and others listed among their 2020 Top 10 Albums of the year. Aside from Chance the Rapper, Peter has collaborated with SZA, Justin Bieber, Jamila Woods, Tank & the Bangas, Clairo, YEBBA and Vic Mensa, among others. Peter composed “Together” for Google’s 2020 Year in Search campaign and earned the distinction of being the first artist to be featured on Google’s homepage. More Information here.

ABOUT CHICAGO SINFONIETTA
A tenured orchestra and acclaimed cultural leader that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating community through curated symphonic experiences, Chicago Sinfonietta is a source of community through music, as well as ensuring and inspiring a continued investment in diversity and inclusivity in the genre of classical music to promote fairness and equity. Recognized as groundbreaking, dynamic and daring, with core values built around being culturally responsive and advocates of inclusivity in all aspects of the 35-year-old organization’s work, Chicago Sinfonietta’s unrelenting commitment to being at the forefront of innovation drives its high standard of symphonic experiences. CS takes pride in leading by example with immersive audience engagement activities, impactful career development, education, and extensive community outreach programs. www.chicagosinfonietta.org

ACCLAIM for Peter CottonTale

"The result is a record unlike anything else released this year. Featuring additional appearances by new collaborators like Kirk Franklin and Tiff Joy, “CATCH” is a long overdue and gorgeous statement setting Wilkins far apart from his peers." - Chicago Tribune

"Chance the Rapper and Peter CottonTale are providing us with some much needed, uplifting music during this difficult time." - Billboard

"Peter CottonTale came through with his gospel-infused debut album, "Catch," with some assistance from frequent collaborator, Chance The Rapper, and many, many more." - Hot New Hip Hop

"The track has a similarly breezy energy to The Social Experiment’s previous work and blends hip-hop and gospel influences." - PRESS UPROXX

"Peter went from a secret weapon to a music mastermind lending his touch to some of the world’s most vibrant artists." - rubyhornet

Photos and season logo available upon request.

Contact Laura Grant
at 917.359.7319 or
Lgrant@chicagosinfonietta.org
Laura@grant-communications.com

Download the season brochure by clicking on RESONATE image to  visit webpage.