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Shermann "Dilla" Thomas
Chicago, IL - Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) today announced the details of its new collaboration with acclaimed urban historian and TikTok sensation Shermann “Dilla” Thomas in his role as Artist in Residence (AIR) for the orchestra’s 2024-25 season, PROPEL, the latest chapter in the 37-year-old organization’s work in redefining the classical music landscape. An important part of the organization’s work in both the community and orchestral field, the Artist In Residence Program introduces new ways that musical ideas and creative approaches to storytelling further connections with the community.
"Chicago urban historian Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas”, as the Chicago native, entrepre-neur, and father introduces himself in his popular and informative 60-second videos, is a self-taught historian and TikTok star whose work has raised awareness of the history of Chicago in numerous ways, including the importance of its numerous BIPOC neighbor-hoods and citywide traditions.
As Artist in Residence, Dilla will participate in two events this season:
-as emcee for Sunday, March 16, 2025, LOVE LETTERS program, Chicago Sinfonietta's fifth subscription concert, from 3 - 5 PM, at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre. Dilla will also be present for a meet and greet in the lobby. Led by Music Director Mei-Ann Chen, this concert takes a symphonic lens to the concepts of love, romance, respect, and adoration for women via works by five composers: Freeman Composing Fellow Michelle Isaac's 2022 klezmer and Jewish folk laden commission, Moshe's Dream, based on a dream by her grandfather; Valerie Coleman's Opus Serena, a tribute to the legendary tennis player Serena Williams', with guest soloist bassoonist Monica Ellis playing Serena in the musical tennis match against the orchestra; Johannes Brahms hidden love for pianist/composer Clara Schumann in his "Poca Allegretto" from Symphony No. 3; Gustav Mahler's serene "Adagietto from his Symphony No. 5 - written as a love letter to his wife Alma; and Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3 inspired by a walking visit of Scotland, which transports the listener to the ruins of Mary Queen of Scots's Holyrood Chapel at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Learn more here.
-as special guest and presenter at donor event Chicago Sinfonietta Soundscape, on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Chicago's Epiphany Center for the Arts, from 7-9 PM, where he will also give a short speech. The event is a one-of-a kind, choose your own adventure experience, where each door at Epiphany Center leads to a new and exciting adventure. All of explorations will converge in the grand Epiphany Hall, where an elegant dinner, spectacular entertainment program, and a silent auction await the evening's guests, supporting a very worthy cause. Learn more here.
“Our 37th season, PROPEL, is about enhancing and connecting with our community in a variety of ways through the universal language and art of music,” stated Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. “It is a pleasure to welcome Dilla, whose creative and accessible approach to telling Chicago’s history relays a unique story that like music, resonates within each of us on some level.”
“Dilla’s storytelling is not only creative, but his 21st century approach to sharing Chicago’s history takes on another level with his use of social media and bus tours to educate people of all ages and walks of life,” stated President and CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson. “His work meshes neatly with that of Chicago Sinfonietta’s, particularly this our 37th season, which highlights our ability to drive our industry forward through innovative storytelling and dynamic collaborations.”
"I am privileged to be part of this PROPEL season of the Chicago Sinfonietta," stated Mr. Thomas. "The Chicago Sinfonietta is known for its community and camaraderie. It encourages musical growth and development, then the cultural impact also promotes diversity and inclusivity in classic music. This theme resonates with me because they are driving the industry forward and changing the landscape of classical music."
Chicago Sinfonietta’s Artist In Residence Program (AIR)
One of Chicago Sinfonietta's many initiatives to champion important voices, the Artist in Residence program was first introduced in the 2020-21 season, born from Music Director Mei-Ann Chen’s desire to explore a closer relationship with composers of color during the pandemic, when new works around the country were being met with countless cancellations. President and CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson developed the Artist in Residence model, which has since expanded to include creators of various genres. The initiative also focuses on evolving the relationship between audience and artist as well as within the Sinfonietta community itself. Through AIR, Chicago Sinfonietta aims to build new bridges and strengthen already established connections in the Chicagoland community through creativity and artistic work that could only be achieved via a collaborative and open-minded approach. Chicago Urban historian Dilla is the third AIR; his predecessor was Grammy Award winning producer, composer, musical director, and artist, Peter Cotton Tale, who followed in the footsteps of CS’s first AIR, Emmy-nominated composer, songwriter and musician Kathryn Bostic.
Shermann "Dilla" Thomas
A fascinating blend of modern historian, cultural worker, and public employee, Dilla has become a Chicago social media sensation by going viral on TikTok. His 60-second history videos on everything Chicago have been viewed over 20 million times, and he has amassed a following of 210K followers across all social media platforms. Dilla has been featured on all manner of Chicago media and has also appeared nationally on both The Today Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show. A proud life-long resident of Chicago's South side, Dilla lives by the saying that everything dope about America comes from Chicago.
?Through the power of storytelling Dilla is helping to change the narrative locally and nationally about Chicago's value to the world. Honors and recognition include being named 2022 Chicago Tourism Ambassador of the Year by Choose Chicago, the tourism agency of the city. He is a recipient of the prestigious Chicago Public Library Foundation's 21st Century Award, as well as a Studs Terkel Uplifting Voices recipient. Dilla was voted 2021 and 2022 best Chicago Twitter and best Chicago TikTok pages by Chicago Reader magazine. He has presented Chicago history lessons and lectures to institutions such as the University of Chicago, LaSalle University (PA), Northwestern University, Rosevelt University, and a number of partners of the Chicago Community Colleges network. Dilla has also given lessons to corporate groups such as: Meta (Facebook); Microsoft; Google; Stork; Shriver Center of Poverty Law; & Chicago Cares. Dilla most recently represented Chicago in Amsterdam for Bloomberg's City Labs. He is a member of the Black Chicago History Initiate Steering Committee and a proud partner of the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago Fire. (Be sure to follow Dilla on social media for his posts on the Sinfonietta: @6figga_dilla)
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 37-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. https://chicagosinfonietta.org
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