Debut with Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago

Hailed by Opera News as "one of Windy City’s primary musical treasures," the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago—now in its twelfth season—presents the 2023 Collaborative Works Festival titled Song of Myself September 5-8. On Friday, September 8, Brent makes his debut with CAIC in the final program of the festival featuring works by Jonathan Dove, Jake Heggie, Ned Rorem, Florence Price, among others.

Presented in partnership with Roosevelt University, the festival takes inspiration from Walt Whitman's opening inscription of Leaves of Grass, drawing a central theme around the question: what does it mean to sing of “One’s-self” in today’s America? With art song as the vehicle, programs will explore the complexity, multiplicity, and intersectionality of identity in America today.

The final concert expands on the question of what it means to sing of oneself: Who are we in relation to those around us? What does it mean to sing of ourselves? What does it mean to be in community with one another? Artists include tenor and artistic director of CAIC Nicholas Phan; baritone Laureano Quant; and mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams.

2023 Collaborative Works Festival Schedule:

​Master Class: Tuesday, September 5 - 6:30 pm
Festival artist Reginald Mobley leads students from Chicago College of Performing arts in a master class
Ganz Hall - Roosevelt University

CONCERT I: I am: September 6 - 7:30 pm
Featuring Zoie Reams, Reginald Mobley, Nicholas Phan and Shannon McGinnis
Ganz Hall - Roosevelt University

CONCERT II: We are: September 8 - 7:30 pm
Featuring Zoie Reams, Nicholas Phan, Laureano Quant and Brent Funderburk
Ganz Hall - Roosevelt University