DONATE To American Music Festivals

Music as a Bridge for Healing and Gratitude

Van Gilmer and Philip Simmons with the Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra, November 2

American Music Festivals is dedicated to using music as a force for justice, memory, and renewal. At the heart of our work is cultural exchange through the preservation of the orchestra — both musicians and repertoire — ensuring our powerful tradition of cultural exchange continues to thrive, inspire, and connect communities.

Through concerts and collaborations across the U.S. and internationally, we bring diverse voices to the stage, honor cultural traditions, and sustain the orchestral art form as a living bridge between past and future. In doing so, we strengthen community bonds, affirm local voices, and create spaces where music becomes a shared resource for healing and justice.

November 2nd Concert in Lincolnwood Community Center:
Resonance and Reckoning

At American Music Festivals, we believe the orchestra — musicians and repertoire together — has the power to heal, connect, and preserve memory. The November 2 concert was living proof of that belief, and of the orchestra’s ability to generate community impact.

Van Gilmer tells the story of his lifelong commitment to social justice

  • Healing through music: Audiences experienced orchestral performance as a source of renewal and connection, showing how preservation becomes inseparable from emotional impact.

  • Justice and community: By uniting faith leaders, nonprofit advocates, and a diverse audience, the orchestra itself became the bridge between grassroots voices and cultural institutions, strengthening community trust and collaboration.

  • Cultural memory: The repertoire carried traditions and stories across generations, ensuring they remain alive and relevant in the present, while affirming the identities of the communities represented.

  • Orchestral preservation: Preserving the orchestra — musicians and repertoire — ensures not only the survival of a tradition, but its power to strengthen communities through healing and justice.”

  • Momentum for the future: November 2 proved that when orchestral preservation is the foundation, communities respond — and with your support, this momentum will carry forward into future seasons.

Why Give Now?

Desiree Ruhstrat performing with the LCO for Hispanic Heritage Month

Supporting American Music Festivals is more than making a donation — it’s joining a movement of healing, justice, and memory through orchestral preservation.

  • Healing through music: Your gift sustains performances that bring renewal and connection to audiences.

  • Justice and community: You help ensure the orchestra remains a bridge between grassroots voices and cultural institutions.

  • Cultural memory: Your support keeps repertoire alive, carrying traditions and stories across generations.

  • Orchestral preservation: By giving, you safeguard both musicians and repertoire, transforming the orchestra into a living force that makes healing, justice, and memory possible.

  • Gratitude in action: This season of Thanksgiving and year‑end reflection is the perfect moment to give thanks through music, ensuring the bridges built on November 2 continue into the future.

Give Thanks Through Music — Donate Today

DOnate to American Music Festivals

New Frontiers in Hawaiian Music

〰️

Click to see video!

New Frontiers in Hawaiian Music 〰️ Click to see video!

American Music Festivals promotES cultural exchange, PRESERVES ORCHeSTRAL HERITAGE, and BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

In Chicago, Hawaii, and around the world, AMF partners with diverse communities, bringing people together to enjoy great classical music exploring and sharing cultural traditions through concerts and interdisciplinary programming.

American Music Festivals is committed to preserving and furthering orchestral heritage.  Our music making has attracted an amazing team of musicians, community advocates, and marketing experts to our cause.  It has helped us build partnerships and professional relationships with organizations and individuals around the world. Our concerts tell a story that speaks to the power of music to move people, help change perspectives, and to challenge norms.  American Music Festivals is excited to continue to help create and contribute to orchestral events, products, and messaging, that move communities forward. 

Thanks for being a part of our vision.

With Maestro Yuri Temirkonov, backstage at Chicago Symphony Center

Artistic Contributor Leonard Slatkin and Philip Simmons in Hawaii


American Music Festivals
has been committed to cultural exchange Since 1997.

Please join US AS WE BRING OUR UNIQUE VIEWPOINT TO CLASSICAL MUSIC PROGRAMMING.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

In the United States and abroad we work with communities to share culture, celebrating our differences.

ORCHESTRAL HERITAGE

American Music Festivals helps preserve orchestral traditions--with a sensitivity to all the humanities.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our collaborative events bring people TOGETHER, creating understanding and friendship.

ARTISTIC AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Through concerts and related outreach, American Music Festivals articulates cross cultural and intergenerational connections. 

Sir Georg Solti Memorial Festival, April 2016

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
NEEDS TO BE EXPERIENCED

American Music Festivals believes that through empathy to cultural diversity, we PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES

In Chicago, Hawaii, and around the world,
American Music Festivals
helps sustain our orchestral heritage