tickets $40 | $25

Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 7:30pm
Curtiss Hall at the Fine Arts Building
410 S Michigan Ave, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL

7PM - Pre-Concert Reception
7:30pm - Concert
​9pm - End​
WordSong Chicago explores how one poem can be interpreted in multiple ways by readers, composers, and performers. Four musical settings of Chicago author Avery Zieper's poem "A Guide to the Moon" will be premiered, including piano/vocal settings by John Bitoy, Kyong Mee Choi, Robbie Ellis, and 2025 songSLAM Chicago commission prize winner Joshua Fath. Each of the four premiere works will be performed by members of Fourth Coast Ensemble alongside pianist and moderator Mark Bilyeu.. Attendees will receive an interactive guide to write down thoughts, reactions, and insights, and will be encouraged to engage in conversation with the composers and poet in attendance.  Tickets include a reception with small bites and refreshments.
Note: this performance was rescheduled from April 2026.  If you are a ticket holder from April with questions on how to transfer your tickets, please reach out at [email protected].

about our venue

Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 7:30pm
Curtiss Hall at the Fine Arts Building, Loop, Chicago
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Designed in 1885 by architect Solon S. Beman, the Fine Arts Building originally housed the Studebaker Company’s carriage assembly and showroom. Completed in 1887, the Studebaker Building was 8 stories tall and one of the first steel-frame skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. It was quickly hailed as one of “Chicago’s architectural jewels.” By 1898, Studebaker had outgrown the space, and a renovation to transform the building into the Fine Arts Building was led by Charles C. Curtiss, who the 10th floor Curtiss Hall is named after. During these renovations, the carriage showrooms were converted to two theater spaces, the Studebaker Theater and a smaller music hall. The renovations transformed the building’s upper floors to offices, craft studios, and 65 music studios equipped with special soundproofing. An addition to the top of the building expanded the building to a total of 10 floors. At this time many of the building’s murals and motifs were added to the 10th floor.