“The Chicago Sinfonietta has extended music director Mei-Ann Chen’s contract through the 2023-24 season,” writes Howard Reich in Monday’s (5/18) Chicago Tribune. “Chen, who took the helm in 2011, has been widely applauded for her innovative programming, which has featured such stylistically far-flung guest artists as jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, performance art marching band Mucca Pazza, tap dancer Cartier Williams, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band.… The orchestra has released two recordings under her direction on Chicago’s Cedille Records label: ‘Project W—Works by Diverse Women Composers’ (2019), featuring world premiere recordings of American compositions; and ‘Delights & Dances’ (2013) with the Harlem Quartet…. Chen is the Sinfonietta’s second music director, after founder Paul Freeman, who died in 2015 at age 79.” In a statement, Board Chair Scott Hoesman said, “Maestra Chen has been innovating and bringing dynamic new ways to engage audiences since her Sinfonietta arrival in 2011. While today’s COVID-19-related challenges are numerous, Mei-Ann’s continued leadership as our music director will help ensure we harness the power of our richly diverse organization to carve a fresh and meaningful path forward.”
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