Filed by Lance at 4:16 pm under General

Yesterday, Trevor and I had the pleasure of attending a performance organized by Arts at Large, a Chicago non-profit which “unites emerging artists with underserved audiences.” I really enjoyed all of the performances, and I always forget how much more immediate music is when it’s in the room with you.

It was also a time for reflection: the concert was on the top floor ballroom (across the hall from the pool) of The Carlyle, which is at the top of the Mag Mile where Michigan Avenue meets Lake Shore Drive. We had a view of Oak Street beach, Streeterville, and the Lake stretching out to the east as Anne Breeden, AAL’s Executive and Artistic Director talked about some of the reasons she founded the organization.

Anne talked about the first concert she organized with her brother, both pianists, for the convalescent home where her father was recovering from cancer, and the outpouring of thanks and genuine appreciation for their gifts they received. Sitting in a room full of older, presumably wealthier music patrons, I couldn’t help but think about the difference in responses between people who can purchase something beautiful because they have everything, and people that are given something beautiful because they have nothing.

It served as a reminder and a refresher about why I love doing what I love, who I really want to do it for, and how I should do it.