The Evolving Landscape of Classical Music in 2025

Seth Boustead, a prominent figure in Chicago's contemporary classical music scene, opened The CheckOut in September 2025, transforming a former 7-Eleven into a music venue. Boustead, who has been a composer and executive director of Access Contemporary Music (ACM), aims to create a community hub that attracts a diverse audience beyond the traditional classical music crowd. He emphasizes the importance of engaging local residents and fostering a sense of belonging, stating, “Community is such an interesting word... it can be the community of people who live on Warner Avenue, right next to the CheckOut.” The venue has seen significant interest, with bookings extending into April 2026.

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Boustead's approach to classical music focuses on accessibility and outreach. He reflects on his experiences with the Thirsty Ears Festival, which aims to introduce classical music to new audiences. “I have a real fascination with bringing classical music to new people and watching them go through the opposite of the stages of grief,” he explains, highlighting the challenges of overcoming preconceived notions about the genre. His efforts are part of a broader trend in the classical music community to engage younger and more diverse audiences.

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The classical music landscape in 2025 has been marked by a variety of noteworthy recordings. The Berlin Philharmonic's interpretation of Schoenberg’s *Verklärte Nacht* under Kirill Petrenko has been praised as a standout, while the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra's recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 has also garnered acclaim. Other significant releases include Donnacha Dennehy's *Land of Winter*, which explores the changing quality of light in Ireland, and György Kurtág’s *Játékok*, showcasing the emotional depth of brief piano pieces.

The ‘Spotify Wrapped’ Of Classical Music Has Officially Been Released — And The Berlin Philharmonic Took The Top Spot

Despite the vibrancy of new venues and recordings, the classical music community faces challenges, particularly in sustaining independent venues amid economic pressures. Boustead acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining a thriving space in a competitive landscape, stating that the CheckOut must appeal to a broad audience to survive. Critics have also noted that while there are many exciting performances, the overall quality of concerts has varied, with some events failing to maintain the high standards set by individual performances.

Chicago Tribune

• “’ Or, it can be the community of people who live on Warner Avenue, right next to the CheckOut,” he says.” — Seth Boustead, Founder of The CheckOut

Chicago Tribune

• “I have a real fascination with bringing classical music to new people and watching them go through the opposite of the stages of grief, because most people have this real resistance to it,” — Seth Boustead, Founder of The CheckOut

Chicago Tribune

The classical music scene in 2025 is characterized by innovative venues like The CheckOut, a commitment to community engagement, and a diverse array of recordings that push the boundaries of the genre. While challenges remain, the ongoing efforts to make classical music more accessible and relevant suggest a promising future for the art form.

Chicago Tribune