Each issue of FIREworks! features a profile of members of our generous Chicago Friends community. We are grateful for the support of our friends in Chicago – thank you!
Jim and Rita Sheinin were among the first supporters of Apollo’s Fire in Chicago and have been instrumental in making the first three years a resounding success, providing both generous financial support and “spreading the fire” in Evanston and in Chicago.
Jim and Rita are beloved members of our Apollo’s Fire Chicago community, and Jim is a Founding Member of the Board of Apollo’s Fire Chicago. Jim is a retired endocrinologist and lifelong music lover. Jim and Rita have been subscribers to the Chicago Symphony for more than 50 years and have attended concerts by Europe’s finest orchestras. Jim was a Member of the Junior Governing Board of the Chicago Symphony and the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chamber Musicians, and he has been a Governing Member of the Chicago Symphony for the last 11 years. He was once told by a prominent pianist and patient: “Rubinstein’s doctor turned pages for him. You can turn pages for me.” Jim’s page-turning repertoire extended from Mozart to Dvorak. He also has co-coordinated nine music study groups at the Northwestern Osher Lifelong Learning Institute including such subjects as Chamber Music Masterpieces for Larger Ensembles, Jewish Composers of the Last 100 Years, What Makes Mozart Great?, Stephen Sondheim, Gustav Mahler, and Cole Porter.
Rita, like Jim, is a lifelong music lover, having heard her first opera at age 12. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She served on the Women’s Board of the CSO and as a docent for the CSO. She also has brought programs to their senior living facility that use music – especially song – to provide cognitive stimulation, particularly for those with memory loss.
We asked Jim and Rita to tell us what they love about Apollo’s Fire, and why.
How did you come across Apollo’s Fire and what caught your attention?
Jim: “I volunteered to make presentations on Sephardic music in a study group on Renaissance Spain and on music of Salomone Rossi in a study group on Renaissance and Baroque Italy. It was there that I first encountered Apollo’s Fire, and I used their YouTubes and CDs in my presentations. When I heard that Apollo’s Fire was going to be giving a program at Northwestern in March 2020 (this was O Jerusalem!), I attended, and I was smitten.” In addition to O Jerusalem! Jim and Rita were especially impressed by the performance of the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610. They are looking forward to the performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor next spring.
What is distinctive and special about Apollo’s Fire?
Rita: “It all starts with Jeannette… She is the heartbeat and creative center of AF. AF plays with enthusiasm and, yes, passion. They create narratives reflecting the Baroque and other periods in their cultural/historical context. They focus on various countries and choose fresh and unfamiliar music in addition to known classics.”
Jim: “AF has garnered national and international acclaim, not only as performers of major works from the Baroque and Classical repertoire, but also as creators and performers of unique multicultural programs. Their musicianship is remarkable and their exuberance is infectious. They are a joy watch as well as to hear.”
What do you think Apollo’s Fire can add to the already thriving Chicago area music scene?
Rita: “They offer a new and fresh take on old but wonderful music, especially in crossover programs.”
Jim: “There is nothing like AF in the Chicago area.”
Any final thoughts?
Jim: “Our hope is for Apollo’s Fire to further expand its Chicago area presence, both by increasing the number of its programs and by performing in new areas such as Hyde Park and the western suburbs.”
Rita: “GO! See and hear for yourself!”