The Ear Taxi Festival has announced its return to Chicago in the fall of 2025, featuring an impressive lineup of classical vocal performances. The festival, titled “The Composer’s Voice,” will take place from October 3 to October 18, showcasing a diverse array of talent and contemporary works.
Opening the festival on October 3, 2025, the chamber vocal ensemble Bella Voce will perform the oratorio “Lost Objects.” This innovative piece, created by the ensemble Bang on a Can, uniquely blends choir, electronics, and modern themes to captivate audiences.
On October 4, 2025, soprano Corinne Costell will take the stage alongside the Constellation Men’s Ensemble and pianist Shannon McGinnis. They will present a program featuring works by members of the Chicago Composers Consortium, highlighting local talent and creativity.
Also on October 4, a talented group of vocalists—including soprano Katherine Peterson, mezzo-soprano Quinn Middleman, tenors Karlos Piñero-Mercado and Jordy Vargas, and baritone Chiemerie Obianom—will perform pieces by notable composers such as Damien Geter and John Dorhauer. This performance promises to reflect a range of styles and themes central to modern composition.
The festival continues on October 5, 2025, with performances by the La Caccina and Holocene ensembles, featuring music from the Crossing Borders Music Young Composers Project. This initiative aims to elevate emerging composers and spotlight their innovative works.
On October 8, 2025, soprano Leila Bowie McClenahan and pianist Alyssa Arrigo will present “Living Sounds: A Celebration of Chicago Composers,” further showcasing the local music scene and its vibrant creativity.
A significant highlight of the festival occurs on October 10, 2025, when sopranos Laura Strickling, Michelle Areyzaga, and Hayley Fox, along with mezzo-sopranos Naomi Brigell and Grace Ryan, will perform with the Kaia String Quartet. They will deliver works by composers such as Rosśa Crean and Justin Weiss, contributing to the festival’s rich tapestry of contemporary music.
The William Ferris Chorale and Ensemble 20+ will present the Midwest premiere of Christopher Tin’s “The Lost Birds” on October 11, 2025. Directed by Chris Windle and Michael Lewanski, this performance aims to resonate deeply with audiences through its poignant themes.
On October 12, 2025, soprano Nathalie Colas will be featured with the Fonema Consort in the program “Stare at the Sun.” The same day, soprano Sabrina Langlois and mezzo-soprano Joanne Evans will join pianist Brent Funderburk to perform works by various contemporary composers, ensuring a diverse array of musical experiences.
The festival’s penultimate event on October 16, 2025, will see sopranos Angela De Venuto and Emily Venturella, along with other vocalists, perform in a composer showcase with Lakeshore Rush, promising an engaging exploration of new compositions.
Closing the festival on October 18, 2025, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra will present the Midwest premiere of Damien Geter’s “An African American Requiem.” This monumental work will feature soloists including soprano Tiana Sorenson and mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter, with Stephen Alltop directing and Scott Speck conducting.
The Ear Taxi Festival 2025 promises to be a landmark event for the Chicago arts community, highlighting significant contemporary works and celebrating the talents of both established and emerging artists in the world of classical music.
