The Power of Music

Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter and the award-winning Chicago Philharmonic are hosting a joint fundraiser titled The Power of Music on Sunday, March 18 at 2:30 p.m. at the Midwest CareCenter Atrium in Glenview.  The event will include a world-class musical performance by the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players and a discussion and demonstration of Midwest CareCenter innovative music therapy and music-thanatology programs. 

Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players are Hugh Russell, Baritone; Craig Terry, Piano; Ann Palen, Violin; Irene Radetsky, Violin; Benton Wedge, Viola; Matthew Agnew, Cello.  The group will perform a selection of works by Franz Schubert. 

Young Canadian baritone Hugh Russell has been consistently hailed for his beautiful voice, dramatic gifts and interpretive originality.  Internationally-acclaimed Craig Terry is currently in his sixth season as assistant conductor at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Violinist Ann Palen, serves as assistant concertmaster of the Chicago Philharmonic and she has been a member of Lyric Opera since 1990.  Irene Radetzky, is a violinist with the Chicago Philharmonic, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Violist Benton Wedge performs with groups including Chicago Philharmonic, Lyric Opera, Grant Park Symphony, and Chicago Symphony.   Matthew Agnew performs with the Chicago Philharmonic and is currently the principal cellist of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Henry Fogel, past president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, will introduce the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players and provide lively commentary.  In addition to the musical performance, Midwest CareCenter music-thanatologist Margaret Pasquesi, MA, CM-Th, will discuss and demonstrate Midwest CareCenter’s music programs.  Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction will follow.  The silent auction includes a number of very exclusive items, such as a Cape Cod Golf Weekend.

Midwest CareCenter offers two unique complimentary music programs – music-thanatology and music therapy.  Music-thanatology is a professional field within the broader sub-specialty of palliative care. It is a clinical modality that unites music and medicine, focusing specifically on the end of life. Using harp and voice, the music-thanatologist weaves together a musical prescription for each individual patient, which changes moment by moment to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the dying and their loved ones. Midwest CareCenter is the only facility in Illinois with a music-thanatology program.

In music therapy, board-certified music therapists use a variety of individualized techniques to help patients relax, express their feelings and recall significant experiences from their lives. Using musical instruments as well as their own voices, music therapists provide an interactive experience, such as encouraging patients to sing along or helping them write a song to leave as a legacy for the people they love. Music therapy can also be helpful if patients are experiencing ongoing symptoms such as pain, depression or anxiety.

The Power of Music event will raise money for these programs at Midwest CareCenter and the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra.  The Chicago Philharmonic is based in Evanston and is made up primarily of Lyric Opera orchestra members and other top tier musicians in the Chicagoland area. Midwest CareCenter is community-based, nonprofit healthcare organization headquartered in Glenview, providing hospice, palliative care and grief support services to patients and families in north/northwest Chicago, the north/northwest suburbs, and Lake County.

The Power of Music event is open to the public.  Tickets are $125 per person or $200 for two.  Each paid attendee will receive a $50 gift card to Von Maur stores, compliments of Von Maur.

The concert takes place at the Midwest CareCenter, located at 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL  60025.   For more information about the event, visit www.chicagophilharmonic.org or call the Midwest CareCenter at (847) 556-1778.