Fulfilling a 25-year dream of becoming the cultural cornerstone and social forum for the entire community of Austin on Chicago’s West Side, Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School will unveil both its new Kehrein Center for the Arts and the Sistema Ravinia Auditorium on Wednesday, May 22. “This unique music and fine arts space presents a critical area to engage our children in the field of the arts as well as continue to emphasize values of reverence and respect,” said Illinois Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, a member of the Education Committee.
Catalyst has named the redesigned auditorium in honor of Ravinia Festival’s Sistema Ravinia program, which builds student orchestras for schools without music programs of their own by supplying the instruments and the instructors, who are trained in the immersive El Sistema style of musical training. Ravinia started this work at Circle Rock 11 years ago. “We would not be able to provide a wonderful home for this thriving connection if Ravinia Festival had not remained deeply committed to Chicago’s West Side for decades. If the cornerstone of this new space is the children, then the sign above the door is a classy reminder of the pride growing inside,” said Catalyst Schools CEO Gordon Hannon.
The 900-seat Sistema Ravinia Auditorium will be home to the Circle Rockets, who will christen the rebuilt auditorium with a performance following soprano Michelle Areyzaga, accompanied by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman at the piano, singing four of Bernstein’s music theater songs, including “Take Care of This House” from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, "Simple Song" from Mass, "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story, and "Glitter and be Gay" from Candide.