The Laurie Berkner Band and Ravinia Festival

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, established in 1891 by Theodore Thomas, stands as a top American orchestra, renowned for precision and rich sound. It gained prominence under conductors like Fritz Reiner, who started its recording legacy, and Sir Georg Solti, substantially boosting its global acclaim and record sales. Their works with Mahler and Bruckner became iconic. Solti won the most Grammy Awards of any musician. The orchestra continuously reissues past revered recordings, maintaining its legacy. Recently, artists like Jessie Montgomery and Hilary Hahn collaborated with the ensemble.

Taiwan-born, Australia-raised violinist Ray Chen is known for his vibrant style and virtuosity. Winning the Yehudi Menuhin and Queen Elisabeth Competitions, he's collaborated with the Mariinsky Orchestra and Christoph Eschenbach. His albums, including "Virtuoso" and "The Golden Age," feature concertos by Mozart and Tchaikovsky, earning acclaim for his work with Sony Classical and Decca. Performing on the 1715 "Joachim" Stradivarius, Chen is a prominent figure in the classical music world.

NJ-born Laurie Berkner, a famed children's music specialist, started with '97 album "Whaddaya Think of That?" Owns Two Tomatoes Records, won multiple awards, known for guitar-led singalongs and hits like "Rocketship Run." Featured on The View.