Grant Park Music Festival

Founded during the Great Depression over 80 years, ago, The Grant Park Music Festival was created to lift the sprits of the city through live symphonic music. Fast forward to 2020 and suddenly the Festival’s mission became more urgent than ever. However, it required reimaging the beloved outdoor music festival that packed the lawn in Millennium Park all summer long.

Scrapping plans for its 10-week season due to the pandemic and with only a few months to plan before it opened June 10, the Festival created a virtual summer music festival – Festival Remixed – an inspired response to these times.

The virtual season included broadcasts, webcasts and a whole summer’s worth of musical activities was distributed to children. Festival Remixed featured:

  • Radio Series– A 10-week radio series, produced in partnership with WFMT, highlighting what sets Grant Park apart from other music festivals: our blend of classical repertoire with exceptional composers of our time; our commitment to hidden gems, international soloists and up-and-coming artists; and last but not least, our own orchestra and chorus.
  • Festival HD– Three video productions based on our Festival HD series, featuring rising star violinist Benjamin Beilman performing Prokofiev, our ever popular Independence Day Salute, and  Rimsky-Korsakov’s stirring Flight of the Bumblebee.
  • A Night with Rachel Barton Pine and Billy Childs – Chicago’s own violin superstar Rachel Barton Pine in performance with the Grammy Award-winning composer Billy Childs.
  • Virtual Visiting Masters– International artists, cellist Alban Gerhardt, pianist Andreas Haefliger and violinist Christian Tetzlaff, work with Chicago-area music students in virtual master classes this summer. And believe me: you’ll be amazed at how their insights will deepen your own listening experience.
  • Pre-Concert Lectures– Radio celebrity Seth Boustead holds remote pre-concert discussions, featuring expert insights into the works and composers to be performed.

True to its Depression-era founding, the Festival aspired to provide inspiration and sustenance to the community while giving voice to a shared experience. Resolute Public Affairs was proud to provide creative support for Festival Remixed including social media, direct mail and weekly newsletters.