Episode 8: Chicago Culture, World Change, and the Future of the CSO with Chris Bell

Life, Music, and the Pursuit of Answers

Phil Circle talks with Chris Bell, a former union pipe fitter, now owner of Flatts and Sharpe Music, Chicago proper's second biggest music lesson provider. Sitting in the lobby of her Rogers Park store, they reflect on Chicago's past and present, how it relates to other American cities, and the massive changes in the world today. Chris shares her experiences growing up in the neighborhood and reflects on what's changed and why.

Also in this conversation they talk about the future of one of the world's greatest orchestras, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As of this podcast, the CSO musicians were on strike for a number of reasons. Chris Bell gives her balanced appraisal of the situation and talks about her efforts to support local musicians by presenting free shows at her music store. Weeks later, the CSO won the strike.

This show was recorded at Flatts and Sharpe Music in Rogers Park, Chicago, on April 18th, 2019.

Phil Circle taught at Chris Bell's store until opening his own lesson facility in the neighborhood, with her full blessings. Phil Circle Music opened its doors in December of 2018, and 2019 marked 25 years that Phil Circle has been a music coach. In 2019, Expertise.com awarded Phil Circle Music the Top Music Schools in Chicago award, listing him among the Top 12 of 574 music schools and private lesson facilities surveyed. Here's a video from the Hey Coach playlist on his YouTube page. Phil still refers business to Flatts and Sharpe Music, as his niche is primarily adult professional and semi-pro musicians.

If you're enjoying Phil Circle's discussions, check out his award-winning book,

The Outback Musician's Survival Guide: One Guy's Story of Surviving as an Independent Musician, available on all platforms.

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