Mothers & Music: A Celebration of Mothers and Daughters Concert

Celebrate Mother’s Day with an elegant afternoon at The Barker Mansion, beginning with a live classical concert in the grand Ballroom. Guests will  enjoy a one-hour concert performed by Marissa Kerbel, pianist, creating a refined and relaxing atmosphere to start the celebration.

Through a presentation of music by women composers, pianist Marissa Kerbel will explore the musical landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This performance will feature works by American composers Amy Beach and Florence Price as well as international compositions by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Lili Boulanger.

Following the concert, guests are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of the mansion, exploring its historic rooms at their own pace. As part of this special Mother’s Day experience, select personal items belonging to Mrs. Katherine Barker will be on display, including pieces not previously available for public viewing, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into her life.

With extremely limited seating, this intimate experience is the perfect Mother’s Day gift—a thoughtful way to spend time together while enjoying music, history, and the beauty of The Barker Mansion.

About the Artist

With playing described as “fierce” and “deliciously sinister” (I Care if You Listen), pianist Marissa Kerbel has quickly made a name for herself in the Chicago music scene. She has also been the featured soloist in J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (Civic Orchestra of Chicago, 2023 and 2024) and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals (LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, 2025). Marissa’s debut album, In 24 Years: The Music of Lili Boulanger (2023) is the first complete recording of Lili Boulanger’s works for piano and small chamber ensemble. Marissa is a founding member of OLEA Ensemble and principal keyboard of the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra. She has previously performed with the Chicago, Milwaukee, Omaha, Illinois, Missouri, Sioux City, Richmond, and Lima Symphony Orchestras, the Britt Festival Orchestra (Interim Principal Keyboard, 2025), and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago (Associate Member 2022-2025).

Please Note: The Mansion Ballroom is located on the third floor. There is no elevator access, and the space is not wheelchair accessible.