Advisor Profile

Mary Sauer
Principal Pianist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
NMS Piano Advisor

The principal keyboardist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1959, when she joined at the invitation of Fritz Reiner, as well as the keyboard coach of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the CSO, Mary Sauer also has an outstanding reputation as a music educator. For 33 years she was on the piano faculty of DePaul University, where she was the coordinator of the keyboard program for 22 of those years. In addition to her many professional DePaul graduates, Ms. Sauer's private studio, now in the Fine Arts Building of Chicago, has produced many concert pianists, conductors, music directors, and high school and university teachers worldwide. Her unique teaching approach solves problems of tension which frees the individual's inner musicality and artistry. Currently, Mary Sauer is a member of the Advisory Board for New Music School of Chicago. 

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Ms. Sauer received both bachelor's and master's performance degrees from the Chicago Musical College; her teachers have included mentor Rudolph Ganz, William Kapell, Irene Schneidmann, and Mollie Margolies.

A frequent soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on piano, celesta, organ, and harpsichord, she has played concertos under Sir Georg Solti, Jean Martinon, Carlo Maria Giulini, Claudio Abbado, Rafael Kubelík, Zubin Mehta, Charles Dutoit, and Margaret Hillis, among others. She also is featured as soloist on many of the Orchestra's recordings with Solti, Giulini, Leopold Stokowski, Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas, and James Levine, as well as on discs with the Chamber Players of the Ravinia Festival. For 21 years, she was accompanist for the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Ms. Sauer, now in her 48th season with the CSO, not only is the first and only full-time keyboardist in the 116-year history of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but she pioneered the development and establishment of the first position of its kind in any symphony orchestra. In her popular lecture, "The Many Faces of the Orchestral Keyboardist," she elaborates on the interesting scope of this position. Ms. Sauer also holds the distinction of being the second female to hold a principal chair in the CSO.

Much in demand as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, lecturer and for master classes, Ms. Sauer frequently performs as guest artist with other orchestras. In addition, she had a long association with the Peninsula Music Festival in Wisconsin, performing as soloist for 18 consecutive seasons.

Having studied under the guidance of Alexander Schneider, her commitment to chamber music repertoire is shown by her long involvement with the CSO chamber music series, collaborating with several ensembles, including the Symphony Chamber Soloists of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony String Quartet, the Alistaire Trio, and the Gilcrest Chamber Society.

Ms. Sauer received the Governor's Award of the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for her contributions in education, performance, and recording, and for her many years as the Orchestra's keyboardist. She also has received the honor of being appointed to the International Roster of Steinway Artists.

If you would like to contact Ms.  Sauer, please email her Mary.Sauer@newmusicschool.com.