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Join us to Toast Chicago’s Emerging Artists
Join us for Cedille Records’ Emerging Artist Competition Finals on Sunday, May 18 at 1pm, and witness the next generation of classical music stars! This thrilling event showcases outstanding young musicians competing for the opportunity to make their debut professional audio recording — a crucial step in furthering a career.
This is Cedille’s second Emerging Artist Competition, again sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation. The winner of the inaugural competition in 2021, saxophonist Julian Velasco, remarked about the experience of making his first recording:
This is the stepping stone towards the next phase of [my] career. And to be able to have something that I can use as not only a statement of my own artistic vision, but also as a way of connecting with other people … This is the beginning of a new era of being able to share my music.
In this year’s competition, seven semifinalists have been selected to compete. Up to four will continue to the Final round on Sunday, May 18 at 1 pm.
The are free and open to the public, offering a front-row seat to incredible performances by top-tier emerging artists. Join us after the event to toast the winner at a special reception (approximately 4pm). RSVP to reserve your spot today.
Can’t make it in person? Tune in to our live stream and experience the excitement from anywhere. Don’t miss this chance to support rising talent and be part of an unforgettable musical journey!
Recommended
Pacifica Quartet’s final album in the American Collections trilogy – American Portraits. Bringing together touchstones of the American repertoire, American Portraits features some of the most canonical American chamber works alongside world premiere recordings of two newly commissioned works.
Winner of Cedille Records’ 2025 Emerging Artist Competition, Chicago-born oboist Oliver Talukder makes his solo recording debut with Briefly Gorgeous. Joined by pianist Moriah Trenk, Talukder presents an album inspired by themes of identity, love, family, and belonging. Drawing on his Mexican and Bengali heritage and his Chicago upbringing, the program explores where classical music intersects with Latino and South Asian traditions, creating a musical portrait shaped by Talukder’s unique story.
To celebrate the Oct. 9 release of American Portraits, the Pacifica Quartet‘s 18th album for Cedille, a playlist with a track from each of its Cedille albums, in chronological order, starting with its very first CD in 1999.