Elmhurst’s annual World Music Festival launched in 2011 at the urging of guest lecturer Srini Krishnan, headmaster of the School of Music in Chennai, India.
The inaugural festival was such a success that it became a regular event on campus, transforming into a series in 2013 with multiple events throughout the academic year.
Each year, the festival highlights the music of a different global region or culture, including India, Spain, Russia, Brazil, Italy, France, Mexico and Ireland.
The festival is part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, honoring the memory of Daniel Pearl, a journalist and violinist who traveled the world and used music to make friends in many countries. In 2002, he was murdered by extremists while investigating a story in Pakistan. Each October, musicians all over the world dedicate performances to our shared belief that we can all work together to achieve a better world for everyone.
Past Concerts and Performers
- SAPNA Children’s Choir
- Ambi Subramaniam, violin
- Mahesh Krishnamurthy, mridangam
- Elmhurst University Philharmonic Orchestra
- Elmhurst Concert Choir
- Glenbard East Symphony
- Kontras Quartet
- Elmhurst University Dancers
- Elmhurst University Philharmonic Orchestra
- Maine East High School Symphonic Strings
- Elmhurst University Guitar Quartet
- Duo Tandem International Guitar Duo
- Ani Gogova, piano
- Samantha May, violin
- Elmhurst University Brass Quintet
- Niles West High School Symphony Strings
- Elmhurst University Concert Choir
- Elmhurst Philharmonic
- Edgar Gabriel, fiddler and composer
- Elmhurst Cello Choir
- Steve Suvada, guitar
- Elmhurst University Jazz Band
- Elmhurst University Guitar Ensemble
- Kontras String Quartet
- Elmhurst University Dancers
- Ian Maksin, cello
- Jennie Oh Brown, flute
- Mariachi Real de Jalisco
- Duo Tandem Guitar Duo
- Elmhurst University Percussion Ensemble
- Geraldo de Oliveira, percussion
- Elmhurst University Guitar Ensemble
- Susan Dennis, voice
- Kontras String Quartet
- Glen Ayre Trio
- Kathy Bremer, flute
- Kathy Cowan, voice
- Liam Teague, steel pan
- Liz Carroll, fiddle
- Louise Brodie, fiddle
- Mullane Healey Godley Irish Dancers
- Edgar Gabriel, violin
- Zach May, fiddle
- Anandan, nagaswaram
- Anjna Swaminathan, violin
- Arjun Chandy, Carnatic singer, vocal jazz
- Divya Pariti, veena
- Edgar Gabriel, violin/composer
- Eguie Castrillo, congas
- Garin Webb, alto saxophone
- Jeff Queen, snare drum
- Marion Peraza de Webb, violin
- Nagaraja Rao Havaldar, voice/veena
- Nitya Pariti, veena
- Rajna Swaminathan, mridangam
- Siddharth Nivas, Carnatic saxophone
- Srinivas Krishnan, voice
- Victor Mendoza, vibes
