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.

 

Officers
President
Larry Sturm
Vice President
Juan Dies
Secretary
David Silbaugh

Trustees
Alice Peacock
Peter Strand

Governors
Ira Antelis
Angelin Chan
Steve Cole
Ralph Covert
Juan Dies
Bonny Dolan
Todd Fitzgerald
Hillel Frankel
Anne Harris
Matthew Hennessey
Howard Hertz
Dave Hiltebrand
Mark Hubbard
Steve “Silk” Hurley
Cynthia Johnson
Lyndia Johnson
Johnny K
Howard Levy
Mitch Marlow
Mary Mazurek
Typhanie Monique
Thomas Moore
Heather M. Nelson-Beverly
Rick Nielsen
Barry O’Connell
Alice Peacock
Damon Ranger
Bobby Z
David Silbaugh
Peter Strand

Advisors
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Phillip Kosch