Bach + Beethoven Experience

07/03/2026

Hey BBE Fam! It's been a whirlwind week with the premiere of Songs of the Chickasaws, and we are gearing up to do another performance tomorrow that will be the culmination of our residency with the Ravenswood Community Orchestra! We have had a blast working with them, and would love to see you tomorrow!
Here are the details:
Sunday, March 8
4pm
FREE admission
Queen of Angels Church
2330 W. Sunnyside Ave Chicago, IL

Hope to see you there!
https://ravenswoodorchestra.org/

Next Concert: Sunday March 8 4 p.m. at Queen of Apostles

26/02/2026

Hey BBE Fam! Just 2 days away from the Songs of the Chickasaws premiere! The final piece of the program is inspired by legend, Jesse Lindsey, who was a culture keeper and elder of the The Chickasaw Nation. He led the dance troupe and was a master flute player and craftsman of the hand drum, stickball sticks, deer toe and turtle shakers. His legacy in keeping Chickasaw traditions lives on through everyone who learned from him. During one of her past visits to the Chickasaw Cultural Center before Jesse passed, BBE Artistic Director Brandi Berry Benson had the privilege to sit with him and talk for over an hour about life, family, music, and learned how he came to know the flute. The final piece combines the Chickasaw flute origin story with his story, and it is the BBE's way of honoring him and his legacy. Come hear his story this Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 4pm at The CheckOut! For tickets: https://thecheckout.org/ or bbexperience.org

24/02/2026

We would also like to take a moment to thank one of our sponsors, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union MSU Federal Credit Union for their support of Songs of the Chickasaws! Visit https://www.msufcu.org/ for your banking needs from an organization that cares about and supports community! Thank you MSU Federal Credit Union for your support of our Songs of the Chickasaws program!

24/02/2026

In our first show of our 2026 season, we're going to be performing a world premiere by Brandi Berry Benson that honors 5 famous Chickasaw heroes. One of them is Sadie Humes. Born in Indian Territory in 1903, Humes is most famous for co-authoring the first Chickasaw dictionary, even though she didn't get her high school GED until she was 70 years old. Come hear us commemorate her in song at our next concert Feb. 28-March 1 at the CheckOut! https://bbexperience.org/

23/02/2026

Hey BBE Fam! Happy Monday! It's concert week here for the BBE - Only a few days left to get your tickets for our "Songs of the Chickasaws" show, happening this Saturday and Sunday! Come hear composer Brandi Berry Benson's brave new world premiere piece, which melds the sounds of western and Native instruments to create a work that is both haunting and beautiful, and which mirrors the experience of Native Americans who have held on to their culture while also adapting to the influence of the western world. Get your tickets now! https://thecheckout.org/ or https://bbexperience.org

Discover The CheckOut, Chicago’s newest chamber music venue in Lakeview. Enjoy intimate performances of classical, contemporary classical, cabaret and jazz in a unique former convenience store space.

21/02/2026

Hey BBE fam! As we get closer to the Songs of the Chickasaws premiere we're going to share a little bit about each Chickasaw's story that is depicted in the pieces. One of them is Jonas Wolf, who became governor of the Chickasaws in 1884. Known for being a stoic but highly respected leader of "rugged integrity" (and possibly the half brother of Pa I Sha!), he humorously tested a young man to make sure he was worthy of marrying one of his daughters. Check out our shows on Feb. 28 or March 1 to hear more of Jonas Wolfe's story through song! https://thecheckout.org/schedule/

19/02/2026

Hey BBE Fam! Did you know that there was a Chickasaw who became a famous opera singer? In Brandi Berry Benson's newest work, "Songs of the Chickasaws," she wrote a piece in honor of Tessie Mobley (1906-1990), also known as Lushanya or the "Songbird of the Chickasaws." She was the first Native American to sing at the famous opera house La Scala and who toured throughout Europe during the 1930s and '40s. She was especially known for her performances of the title role in Verdi's Aïda. Come hear us honor her in music at our next concert Feb. 28-March 1! For tickets, go to: https://bbexperience.org/ or https://thecheckout.org/schedule/

03/02/2026

Hey BBE Fam! We're excited to share our upcoming show, "Songs of the Chickasaws," a piece that commemorates 5 famous citizens of the Chickasaw Nation. The first of those is Tishu Miko, one of the last great full blood chiefs before the Removal, and for whom the Chickasaw Nation capital, Tishomingo, is named. He was born in 1735 in what is today Mississippi and fought in the U.S. military in the Battle of Fallen Timbers and in the War of 1812. He made several trips to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and signed the Treaties of 1816 and 1818 as well as the Treaty of Pontotoc in 1832. Known as a highly influential orator and a fierce warrior, he led with a tender heart toward his people, even assisting Chickasaw families along the Removal trail at 102 years old. Come hear how composer Brandi Berry Benson re-imagines his life through music in our concerts Feb. 28-March 1 at The CheckOut! https://thecheckout.org/schedule/

29/01/2026

Hey BBE Fam! Did you see our show, "The Song of Pa I Sha," last May? If you loved that show about Brandi Berry Benson's Chickasaw ancestors, you'll love our next show, "Songs of the Chickasaws," Feb. 28-March 1, honoring 5 famous citizens of the Chickasaw Nation. It won't be like anything you've heard from us yet! Get tickets today at the CheckOut! And if you missed The Story of Pa I Sha last year, check out these highlights from our IEMF performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg3eEfF18ZA

Highlights from the BBE's performance of the Story of Pa I Sha at the Indianapolis Early Music Festival

27/01/2026

Hey BBE fam! We're excited to announce our next show, "Songs of the Chickasaws: Epic Tales Told Through Music" happening Feb. 28-March 1 at Access Contemporary Music 's The CheckOut in Chicago! Join us for this bold new world premiere by composer Brandi Berry Benson that honors 5 Chickasaw heroes, played by an ensemble of almost all-Native performers playing a mixture of western and Native instruments. Don't miss it! https://bbexperience.org/