Performers Music, the iconic sheet music store founded by Lee Newcomer in 1981 at the Fine Arts Building, announces a special memorial concert in honor of its late founder. The concert is free and open to the public on Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. at the historic Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building (410 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago). This event will celebrate Lee Newcomer's remarkable life and his lasting influence on Chicago's music community.
The concert will feature a performance from renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine, who has been a longtime supporter of Performers Music. Other participating musicians range from current and former employees of Performers Music to friends of Newcomer, including Matt Hagel, Mike Becker, Kathy Smart, William Cernota, Thomas Edward Zeman, Ayse Celasun, Yulia Lipmanovich, David White, Laura Hamm, June Matayoshi, Michael Hall, Daina Fischer, Wes Dziedzic, Jeremy Vigil, and Anna George. This heartfelt tribute concert will showcase the connections Newcomer forged over the decades with musicians, educators and music lovers.
The Memorial Concert Celebrating Performers Music Founder Lee Newcomer on Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. at the historic Studebaker Theater (410 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago) is free to attend with advance reservations required. Free tickets are available on Eventbrite here.
Performers Music will continue to serve musicians and music enthusiasts across Chicago and beyond. Under new leadership, the store remains dedicated to preserving Lee Newcomer's legacy by offering a premier selection of sheet music and educational resources. The store’s mission is to inspire and support musicians, young and old, and hopes to endure for generations to come.
In addition to the memorial concert on February 5, Performers Music is accepting donations to support the event and other memorial expenses through its GoFundMe campaign. To make a contribution, please visit gofundme.com/f/support-lee-newcomers-memorial-fund.
About Performers Music
Since 1981, Performers Music has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s vibrant music community. The store has been known for its exceptional collection of sheet music, instrument accessories, and educational materials, as well as its personalized service for musicians of all ages and skill levels. Performers Music is located in the historic Fine Arts Building and continues to be a vital resource for musicians throughout the region, supporting the artistic and educational pursuits of its customers.
About the Fine Arts Building
The Fine Arts Building, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2023, is a home for art in all forms: from pioneers like Poetry magazine’s founding publisher Harriet Monroe, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, sculptor Lorado Taft and the Chicago Little Theatre, to the ongoing legacies of painters, musicians, booksellers, puppeteers, dancers, photographers and craftspeople who inhabit the building today, the Fine Arts Building is buzzing with more than a century of Chicago creativity and innovation. A Chicago Landmark since 1978, the building features original manually-operated elevators, Art Nouveau murals from the late 19th century and the recently renovated Studebaker Theater, one of the city’s oldest and most significant live theatrical venues. Second Fridays open studios events are free to attend from 5-9 p.m. on the second Friday of each month, and include gallery openings, special performances and artistic demonstrations. For more information, visit fineartsbuilding.com.