The Chicago Chapter, established in 1961, was the third Recording Academy Chapter to be initiated. At the time, Recording Academy National President Bob York looked to Chicago and Nashville to carry some of the increasing responsibilities of the Academy between the coastal offices of New York and Los Angeles. Chicago was chosen because it was one of the biggest recording centers of the time. The many active major and independent record companies thriving in Chicago included Chess, Checker, Columbia, RCA, CBS, Mercury, and Cadet.
In April 2008, the Chicago Chapter moved into their new office space in the River North area of Chicago. This neighborhood, home of the River North Gallery District, has the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States outside of Manhattan. Along with hundreds of art galleries, the area also plays host to a design district, as well as many popular restaurants and entertainment venues. The new office space is larger than the former space occupied by the Chapter, and includes both a large and small conference room as well as a dedicated kitchen.
In the past few years, the Chapter has continued to recognize the many different groups that comprise the region's recording industry. The Chapter has increased its membership base and hosted numerous educational seminars throughout the Midwest, thereby creating valuable opportunities for members to gain information about professional developments in their particular field. The Chapter works closely with the many established music and arts organizations, and has become an integral partner in not only the Chicago cultural community, but also in many other major cities across the Midwest.
The Chapter's professional development programs cover a wide range of timely issues and topics, including home studio recording, record promotion and marketing, and music for advertising and film. These workshops and seminars are held throughout the Midwest. In addition to this solid slate of professional development programs, the Chapter also provides several other events to our members. Our Recording Academy Honors event recognizes important music professionals at an elegant tribute dinner and our annual membership celebration also provides opportunities for our members to get together on an regular basis.
For more information, or to become involved, please call 312.786.1121.
Click here to view the Chicago Chapter video.
ELECTED LEADERS
Photo: Back Row (l-r) - David Silbaugh, Peter Strand, Larry Strum, Anne Harris, Paul Wertico, Gabe McDonough, Andrew Barber, Bobby Broom, Anna Fermin, Patrick Stump, Hillel Frankel, Barry O'Connell, Matthew Skoller, Shemekia Cokepland.
Front Row (l-r) - Mark Hubbard, John McLaughlin Williams, Matt Hennessy, Justin Roberts, Tera Healy, Stacy Garrop, Ralph Covert, Shayla Cooper, Wanda Ewing
Officers
President
Matthew Hennessy
Vice President
Angelin Chang
Secretary
Mark Hubbard
Trustees
Anne Harris
Johnny K
Peter Strand
Governors
Ken Abdo
Ruben Alvarez
Percy Bady
Bobby Broom
Angelin Chang
Shayla Cooper
Shemekia Copeland
Ralph Covert
Bonny Dolan
Wanda Ewing
Anna Fermin
Hillel Frankel
Michael Freeman
Stacy Garrop
Matthew Hennessy
Stephen Huff
Daryl Jones
Johnny K
Mary Mazurek
Gabe McDonough
John McLaughlin Williams
Kate Moss
Barry O’Connell
Kenny Ornberg
Justin Roberts
David Silbaugh
Patrick Stump
Larry Sturm
Paul Wertico
Michelle Williams
Advisors
Andrew Barber
Matthew Skoller
303 W. Erie Street, Suite 210
Chicago, IL 60654
Ph: 312.786.1121
Fx: 312.786.1934
