ChiArts Music

The Music Conservatory continues to be one of the most enriching and engaging pre-professional high school music departments in the country, holding the title of Illinois High School State Champions in Music (IHSA Class A). ChiArts Music prides itself in offering both Instrumentaland Vocal majors focusing on diverse genres. ChiArts scholar-artists study classical, jazz, pop, Latin, music of the African Diaspora, music theory, music production, music history, ear training, piano/keyboard skills, guitar skills, and songwriting. Instrumental majors study the technique and repertoire of their instruments through various ensemble classes, production, and instrument-specific technique courses. Vocal majors receive training in vocal technique, experience in ensembles, keyboard skills, guitar skills, acting, songwriting, and movement.

Connections Week Schedule
October 21
2:00pm All Instrumental: 
Western Illinois University Jazz (Room 121)

2:00pm Voice: 
Lyric Opera with Marissa Simmons(Auditorium)

3:00pm Pianists: 
Northeastern Illinois University with Dr. Tang (Room 312B)

3:00pm Wind/String: 
Northeastern Illinois University with Dr. Heath (Room 121)

October 22
2:00pm ALL: 
DePaul University with Mary Halm

3:30pm: 
Last Year Last Look Soundcheck (Auditorium)

October 23
2:00pm ALL: 
CSO Chorus Manager Melissa Hilker & Grant Park Librarian Eliza Bangert (Auditorium)

3:00 Wind/Brass: 
Roosevelt University with Charlie Schuchat (Room 121)

3:00 Percussion: 
Roosevelt University and the Lyric Opera with Ed Harrison (Room 125)

October 24
2:00pm Jazz: 
Millikin University (Room 121)

October 25
2:00pm Voice: 
Northeastern Illinois University with Katherine Peterson (Auditorium)

2:00pm All Instrumental: 
University of Illinois Chicago with Serena Werren and Nick Carlson (Room 121)

3:00pm Brass: 
St. Xavier University with Tim Bales (Room 117)

3:00pm Percussion: 
Northeastern Illinois University with Tina Laughlin (Room 125)

3:00pm Woodwind: 
St. Xavier University with Andy Garcia (Room 113)
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2025
Conservatory Leadership
Anthony Bruno has been a driving force in the ChiArts Music Department since 2010. After serving as the esteemed ChiArts Jazz Coordinator since 2013, Mr. Bruno was promoted to Music Conservatory Head in 2021.
As an in-demand saxophonist in Chicago, he has performed with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Larry Carlton (Steely Dan), Bobby Watson, Jeff Hamilton, Gerald Clayton, Bobby Broom, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes to name a few. Mr. Bruno has also performed at various music festivals such as the New York City Winter Jazz Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival and the Chicago Blues Festival. He has released numerous recordings that can be found on all streaming platforms including multiple releases chosen for Spotify Editorial Playlists. Mr. Bruno’s main musical influences are Jazz, Afro-Cuban, and R&B and considers them the foundational language to his approach to music.
In addition to his teaching at ChiArts, he has served as adjunct faculty at DePaul University teaching the Saxophone Technique course from 2010 to 2015. An experienced guest artist, clinician and arranger, he has worked with such schools and organizations as Dartmouth College, Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage, and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Mr. Bruno graduated Magna Cum Laude from DePaul University earning a Bachelor of Music Education in 2007. He is a licensed Music Educator in the state of Illinois.
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