Jennifer Koh Brings her Passion for New Music to the Grant Park Orchestra

This August, celebrated violinist Jennifer Koh returns to Chicago’s Pritzker Pavilion for an unforgettable evening of music. On Friday, August 8 (6:30 pm) and Saturday, August 9 (7:30 pm), she will join the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus — under the baton of Giancarlo Guerrero — for a rich and dynamic program. The concert opens with Benjamin Britten’s The Building of the House, includes Lera Auerbach’s Icarus, and culminates with Stravinsky’s breathtaking 1919 suite from The Firebird. At the heart of the evening is Jennifer Higdon’s The Singing Rooms, a powerful work for violin, choir, and orchestra featuring Jennifer Koh as soloist.

A passionate champion of new music, Koh is widely known for her commitment to modern composers and contemporary repertoire. Her performance of The Singing Rooms is a reflection of that dedication — an expansive and moving piece that blends solo violin with choral and orchestral forces in a unique way. For Chicago audiences, this is a rare opportunity to experience this deeply expressive and seldom-performed work brought to life by the artist who premiered it (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) in 2008.

Offstage, Glen Ellyn-native Koh has built a distinguished recording career with Cedille Records, releasing more than a dozen albums that showcase her adventurous spirit and masterful technique. Her Grammy-winning album, Alone Together (2022), features 39 short works she commissioned during the pandemic, highlighting her commitment to living composers. Other notable Cedille albums include her Bach & Beyond trilogy, Saariaho X Koh, and her Grammy-nominated String Poetic, with title track by Higdon.

We warmly invite you to experience Jennifer Koh live in Millennium Park, as she brings her bold artistry and deep musical insight to one of Chicago’s most beloved summer traditions.

We hope to see many of our friends and supporters there!