By now you’ve noticed that our chicagoclassicalmusic.org website has been revitalized and re-launched.  By now you’ll be registering, hungrily downloading free product, passionately looking for Hot Deals and hopefully saving the site to your “Favorites” list.   

But I wonder how many of you realize the significance of this project as a collaboration.  Imagine, 14 Chicago area classical music organizations representing chamber music, opera, chamber orchestra, full sized symphonies, Festivals, new music and voice banding together to further the art form, donating product to the cause and just plain being good corporate citizens.   

Imagine the countless hours volunteers have spent on the site, meeting, working together, thinking globally about the art form of classical music and its place in society.   Imagine the time spent by the dedicated participating organizations that put aside their own immediate self interests to make work something of real social significance.   My hat is off to my colleagues, all of them. 

Special thanks to Jim Hirsch from the Chicago Sinfonietta for being a fearless leader and a visionary.  Thanks to the Illinois Arts Council, the Prince Charitable Trusts, The MacArthur Foundation, the Silverman Group and Patron Technology for putting dollars and time behind this worthwhile endeavor. But, ultimately we have to thank to you, the classical music lovers of Chicago and beyond who will make this site successful.  Keep reading, keep commenting, and keep supporting the music we love.