Lakeshore Rush: Nature's Palette

Lakeshore Rush comprises extraordinary musicians from Chicago who are delighting audiences of all ages with riveting contemporary and classical standards and forgotten masterpieces, characterized by programmatic innovation, synergistic collaborative partnerships and intimate performances. Co-founded by clarinetist Laura McLaughlin and flutist Erin Murphy in 2014, Lakeshore Rush has since premiered new works by Laura Schwendinger, Joshua Hintze, Jonathan Hannau, Griffin Candey, Pierre Jalbert, Beth Bradfish, and Roger Zare.

Lakeshore Rush takes its name from a previously endangered lakeshore grass that has recently revitalized Lake Michigan’s shores in Chicago. Like the renewal of this plant, the resurgence of contemporary classical music has taken root and flourished in Chicago’s music culture. Indeed, just off Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, one need only stroll along Rush Street and Lake Shore Drive to experience the energy which motivates and exhilarates the musicians of Lakeshore Rush.

Their inaugural 2014-2015 year included performances in the Chicago Symphony Center as part of Meritfest, the George Crumb Festival at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, PianoForte Studios in Chicago, the Chicago Center for Music Education, and Chicago’s Fine Arts Building. Outreach programs include performances, masterclass and reading sessions at Lawrence Conservatory in Wisconsin and University of Illinois - Chicago. In 2016 Lakeshore Rush presented an innovative program including compositions for toy instruments commissioned by the ensemble. In the following season they were invited to collaborate with the Chicago Composers’ Consortium to select and prepare new pieces for Pierrot ensemble as part of their 2017 call for scores competition. The concert featuring Amos Gillespie and members of C3 took place at Roosevelt University Ganz Hall. Their collaboration with Amos Gillespie continued through 2018 - 2019 season, with performances at the Fulton Street Collective, New Music Chicago Impromptu Fest at Guarneri Hall and a concert at PianoForte Studios. The current 2019 - 2020 season includes performances at Chicago's Thirsty Ears Festival, Chicago Cultural Center, St. Charles Public Library, and PianoForte Studios, among others.