Message from Artistic Director Peter Slowik
There’s so much to tell you about since we last touched base just before Credo 2018. We have launched into a celebration of 20 amazing years of Credo — there are so many stories to tell! In July and August we experienced the joy and wonder of the 20th Credo program and some pretty awesome alumni accomplishments — detailed below.
As we continue to celebrate 20 years, culminating with our celebratory concert in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall in Summer 2019, I’ll continue to share with you the musical triumphs, personal growth, and compelling impact that make Credo distinctive from all other music programs. Credo has been re-defining success for 20 years — thank you so much for your part in that.
Highlights from Credo 2018
Credo 2018 was, as always, filled with blessings of inspiring performances, new friendships and cultivation of longer/deeper ones, hard work with our outreach concerts and service partners, lots of lessons, rehearsals, and practicing, and above all the special joy created by this unique amalgam that is Credo.
Highlights of the summer included a residency by the Arianna String Quartet, the first year of Credo Fellowship String Quartets (featuring students from Eastman, Juilliard, McGill, and Oberlin), and a spectacular performance of Beethoven 5th Symphony and Dvořák Serenade at the Chicago Cultural Center.
For a glimpse into the life of Credo, check out this slideshow:
Matching Gift Opportunity: Double Your Gift Now
Credo has achieved great things because of generous support from alumni, parents, and a host of generous supporters who believe in our mission. As we approach the end of our fiscal year (September 30th), we have considerable work to do to end strongly and provide a good platform for growth in 2019 and beyond.
The Credo board will match the first $20,000 we receive before the end of the month! Your donation will be doubled — so please renew your commitment to Credo at this point! If you’ve already given this year — thank you! If you could give an additional gift, that would really help us reach our goal of $55,000 this month.
Credo Alumni Shine at the Fischoff Competition
How many Credo alumni does it take to win Grand Prize at the nation’s most prestigious chamber music competition?
The answer is apparently two: congratulations to Credites Rachel Stenzel ('10, '11) and Hannah Moses ('07, '08), members of the Callisto Quartet. They have a bright future ahead of them. Other notable Fischoff winners have included the Pacifica Quartet (which included Credo faculty member Sibbi Bernhardssohn) and frequent Credo guest artist Jasper String Quartet.
Fully half of the six finalist ensembles in the competition included at least one Credo alumnus. Congrats to Credites James Hettinga ('11) and Isaiah Wu ('17, '18) for their quartets' showing as finalists!
Credo 2018 student wins prestigious scholarship — citing Credo!
Credo Fellowship Quartet member Isaiah Wu ('17, '18) received an Artistic Scholarship from “Against the Grain,” a nonprofit that supports rising leaders in the Asian American community.
He cited Credo’s influence in his prize-winning essay, saying, “Credo’s dedication to community service has empowered me to make a difference in my hometown.”
Credo Viola Excellence
Rachel Halvorson ('13) won first prize in both the solo and orchestral excerpt competitions of the American Viola Society.
Daniel Orsen ('09, '17) won the opening round of the Primrose International Viola Competition on the way to a strong showing as a finalist.
Both Daniel and Rachel spent their undergrad years studying with Credo Artistic Director Peter Slowik. Congratulations to Rachel and Daniel!