The Ear Taxi Festival will showcase a vibrant array of classical vocal performances in Chicago during fall 2025. Titled “The Composer’s Voice,” the festival promises an engaging lineup, featuring renowned artists and innovative works that reflect modern themes in classical music.
Bella Voce will kick off the festival on October 3, 2025, with the oratorio “Lost Objects.” This piece, created by the ensemble Bang on a Can, intertwines choir, electronics, and contemporary narratives, setting a dynamic tone for the event.
On October 4, 2025, soprano Corinne Costell will join the Constellation Men’s Ensemble and pianist Shannon McGinnis to perform a selection of works by members of the Chicago Composers Consortium. This program highlights the creativity of local composers and their contributions to the evolving landscape of classical music.
The same day, a talented group of singers will take the stage, including soprano Katherine Peterson, mezzo-soprano Quinn Middleman, tenors Karlos Piñero-Mercado and Jordy Vargas, and baritone Chiemerie Obianom. They will be accompanied by the Quintet Attacca to present works by notable composers such as Damien Geter and Marybeth Kurnat.
Following this, on October 5, 2025, the La Caccina and Holocene ensembles will perform compositions from the Crossing Borders Music Young Composers Project. This initiative aims to support emerging talent, providing a platform for new voices in classical music.
On October 8, 2025, soprano Leila Bowie McClenahan and pianist Alyssa Arrigo will present “Living Sounds: A Celebration of Chicago Composers,” spotlighting the creativity within the city’s music scene.
The festival continues to engage audiences on October 10, 2025, when sopranos Laura Strickling, Michelle Areyzaga, and Hayley Fox, along with mezzo-sopranos Naomi Brigell and Grace Ryan, perform with the Kaia String Quartet. They will showcase works by composers including Rosśa Crean and Justin Weiss.
On October 11, 2025, the William Ferris Chorale and Ensemble 20+ will give the Midwest premiere of Christopher Tin’s “The Lost Birds,” directed by Chris Windle and Michael Lewanski. This performance is expected to resonate deeply with audiences, reflecting poignant themes of nature and loss.
Soprano Nathalie Colas will join the Fonema Consort for “Stare at the Sun” on October 12, 2025. This program promises to captivate attendees with its unique blend of vocal and instrumental textures.
Later that day, soprano Sabrina Langlois and mezzo-soprano Joanne Evans will perform alongside pianist Brent Funderburk, revisiting a variety of contemporary compositions.
On October 16, 2025, sopranos Angela De Venuto and Emily Venturella, mezzo-soprano Christina Bernardoni, tenor Julian Otis, and baritone Ryan Alexander will showcase their talents in a composer showcase with Lakeshore Rush.
The festival will conclude with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, who will present the Midwest premiere of Damien Geter’s “An African American Requiem” on October 18, 2025. Soloists for this significant performance include soprano Tiana Sorenson and mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter, under the direction of Stephen Alltop and conductor Scott Speck.
The Ear Taxi Festival 2025 promises to be a landmark event in Chicago’s cultural calendar, celebrating both established and emerging talent in the classical music scene.
