On Friday, February 27th, nearly 500 guests were welcomed to The Geraghty for The People’s Music School’s (TPMS) annual Big Night Gala. This year, Big Night celebrated “50 Years of Daring to Play,” marking the organization’s 50th anniversary. The fundraising gala, chaired by Board Vice Chair Christie Crouch and emceed by NBC 5 Chicago Reporter Jenn Schanz, raised a record-breaking $825,000 – funding 100% tuition-free music education at The People’s Music School.
This year’s Big Night gala posthumously honored Dr. Rita Simó, founder of The People’s Music School. A Dominican immigrant and Juilliard-trained pianist, Rita founded “The Music School for the People” in 1976 in a former beauty salon, staffed by volunteers and made possible by the donation of a baby grand piano. She had dreamt of having her own place to teach and share the joy of learning music with others, and her tenacity made that dream a reality that endures five decades later. She believed all children should have access to music education, regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status. Rita’s joyful spirit, fierce commitment to equity, and deep pride in her Dominican heritage made her a beloved leader in Chicago. A pillar in Chicago’s arts community and a tireless voice for equitable community access, Rita spent many years on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Rita Simó, Founder, The People’s Music School
People’s Music School President and CEO Miriam Owens took the stage to welcome guests: “We are here, celebrating fifty years of our founder Dr. Rita Simó’s audacious dream that has over its history given thousands of children across Chicago the gift of 100% tuition-free music education,” she said. “I’d like to quote Rita herself: ‘This is The People’s Music School. You are a Person. This is your school – welcome.”’
Also among the night’s speakers were Board member and People’s Music School alumna, Nalini Kotamraju, who accepted Rita’s honor on her behalf. Rita was Nalini’s piano teacher and became a mentor and close family friend. “Some of you in the room may have known Rita and, therefore, you know what a force she was,” said Nalini. “The fact that we are all sitting here at this event to celebrate half a century of high-quality tuition-free music education in Chicago – and that we’re planning for the next century of it – is a testament to that force, and to her love for music and for people.”
The event showcased over 80 student musicians, performing a variety of genres. The program opened with the all-school ensemble performing James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)”. Guests got on their feet later in the evening and danced to the SLAM Jazz Ensemble’s performance of “Salsa Nights.” The program concluded with Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango” performed by the SLAM Contemporary Orchestra.
The event was made possible by 44 sponsors, including Title Sponsor: The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation; Presenting Sponsors: Perry Family Charitable Foundation, TD Securities, The Athena Fund, and Cecilia Torres VanGetson & Aaron VanGetson; and Artist’s Level Sponsors: Michael Buck, Matt & Ellen Feldman, Roth, The Rebecca Kutchins Fund, and William Blair.
The People’s Music School is Chicago’s oldest and largest 100% tuition-free music school. Its mission is to deliver access to the benefits of high-quality, tuition-free music education. Through intensive instruction and performance, students achieve excellence in music that transfers to other areas in life. They grow musically, socially, emotionally and intellectually, and develop a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience and purpose.