When an event is as well-received by the community as Chamber Night with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra was in 2021, there is only one thing to do: an encore.
“It went fantastically last year,” said Christina Salerno, executive director of the IPO. “This year we tried to change it up with different instruments, a different music selection.”
Following last year’s string quartet, the IPO brought a brass quintet Thursday, July 21, to the Flossmoor Public Library for the second outdoor Chamber Night. And it appeared to draw a bigger crowd, with generations of local residents packing the expanded footprint for this year’s downtown festivities.
The quintet featured trumpet players R. Matthew Lee and Greg Fudala, horn player Brian Goodwin, trombonist Adam Moen, and tuba player Sean Whitaker. The group performed “Fanfare for An Angel,” “Four Movements for Five Brass,” “The Entertainer,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Washington Post March,” as well as two suites for brass quintets and a jazz suite.
Salerno said the outdoor shows can be a fun departure from the controlled acoustic environments typical of IPO performances — which come with their own merits.
“This is a different vibe,” she said. “This is all about being together with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors.”
A brass quintet from the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra performs the evening of Thursday, July 21, in front of the Flossmoor Public Library as part of the second Chamber Night. (Bill Jones/H-F Chronicle)
Lee said the libations being served, children playing and other communal activities taking place are all fine for the musicians. The wind is the only real problem when playing outside, especially when it comes to keeping music on the stands. But outdoor shows can be a lot of fun.
“The biggest difference is it’s more informal,” Lee said. “People feel easy to come up and talk to us — more of a connection that way.”
The Miyako Jazz Ensemble opened the event, which was a joint effort of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, Village of Flossmoor, Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce and Flossmoor Business Association, while Bionic Content handled the marketing. The group, formed at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, featured pianist Peyton Black, vibist Phoebe Bosch, saxophonist Nicholas Butcher, drummer Cameron Thomas and bassist Georgia Holt.
“What makes this a special night for Flossmoor is the chance to highlight our student musicians, giving them a platform to show off all of their hard work,” Mayor Michelle Nelson said. “Also bringing neighbors together and getting to experience the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra firsthand. And bringing folks in to shop our businesses, to eat at our restaurants.”
Dee Jackson, of Flossmoor, said she loved seeing the students from the high school perform. She and her husband, John, came out to the event for a night out on the town.
“It’s a nice day, and I like the IPO,” Dee said. “Just out for the music, a good time, see the other residents.”
John said it was a good opportunity to spend a nice night with his wife.
“She wanted to do this,” he said. “I decided it would probably be a good idea to tag along with her. I’m having a great time. I was in a high school band and did a little jazz myself, so I’m enjoying this.”
In addition to the music, the IPO had a station where children could craft musical instruments with straws. Flossmoor’s recently opened Cork Gaming & Wine Bar staffed a beverage cart. And, as monarchs were placed on the endangered species list just that day, the Green Commission brought 270 milkweed plants to help improve the butterfly habitat.
“They’re moving pretty quickly,” said Eric Turnquest, chairperson for the village’s Green Commission.
Christina Bollenbacher, of Flossmoor, was among those who grabbed a plant while at Chamber Night. She said she came out to the first one last year and had to return.
“We had a perfect spot right there in the little garden,” Bollenbacher said. “We just loved seeing the different areas, and we went and had dinner at the brewery after. The kids loved it, so we’re excited to get some more beautiful music going on tonight, too.”
Terri Winfree, president of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, said the businesses — especially the restaurants — were “overwhelmingly excited” by last year’s Chamber Night. So everyone involved knew they had to do another.
“It’s even better so far,” Winfree said. “We had such a good turnout of sponsorship because everyone thought it was so good last year that we had extra funds. We’re going to make a donation to the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra youth programs.”
Note: The Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle was one of the sponsors of the Chamber Night, which also received support from Meijer, BankFinancial, UChicago Medicine, Rich Township, ComEd, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Prairie State College, Al Wagner Foundation for the Preservation of Flossmoor History and the Walder Foundation.