Jim and Brenda Grusecki reflect on Hilary Hahn’s residency

When Jim and Brenda Grusecki decided to increase their philanthropic support for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association during the COVID-19 pandemic, they considered it “serendipitous” that their timing coincided with the appointment of violinist Hilary Hahn as the CSO’s first artist-in-residence. They chose to allocate their charitable giving to support Hahn’s residency, which has included CSO and Symphony Center Presents performances and educational and community engagement activities throughout the Chicago area.

With Hahn’s third and final season in the role coming to an end in June 2024, the Gruseckis “feel like we were the luckiest people and the most fortunate of music lovers” to have been able to get to know her and witness her artistry, said Brenda.

“Every performance at Symphony Center was exquisite,” Jim said. “It was beyond delightful and satisfying, in a very profound way, to be part of the community of her admirers.”

Beyond the music, Brenda shared that spending time with Hahn has been a joy, whether over lunch or while sitting together during the second half of one of her concerts. “For us, as art lovers, it’s always been about the artist as much as the art. Spending a few moments with Hilary feels like I’ve known her all my life. She is that special.”

In collaboration with the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute, Hahn has coached young musicians, visited local schools, participated in a Notes for Peace songwriting project and performed her signature Bring Your Own Baby program for families with infants. For the Gruseckis, it “means the world” to be part of making these activities possible.

“She is the kind of musician who reaches out in these very generous and humble ways,” said Brenda. “I think what she really does is encourage other people. She is brilliant, and she’s a virtuoso, and yet, I think that her presence and the way she connects to people makes everyone feel they can do it, too. There’s nothing better than that.”

“The importance of community and how the arts create community have always meant so much to us,” she continued. “There have been studies that show when you’re watching a play, it can happen that hearts beat as one in an audience. I think that also applies to listening to classical music — maybe listening to any kind of music.”

Now that the performing arts have returned from the pandemic hiatus, the Gruseckis cherish them more than ever. “They have taken up more room in my head and heart,” said Brenda. “To again feel that surge of energy and artistic commitment and passion and thoughtfulness — to feel all of that come through to us through music, through theater — I can’t live without it. Our commitment certainly continues and grows.”

The Gruseckis hope that other music lovers who can support the CSO will do so. “Please, everybody, step up and consider the extraordinary benefit to you of giving to the symphony, because it will come back to you multifold,” said Brenda.

“The symphony is offering all kinds of ways to be connected, and I think that is admirable, and we just happened to find the one that worked for us so beautifully. I think everyone should follow his or her own bliss and find the connection. If you’re in the audience, you’re already connected; it’s just a matter of going another step forward.”