A year of big performances, big venues, big voices, and big ovations. Here’s a look at my favorite music photos from 2018. Applause to all!

Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano and pianist Shannon McGinnis open the 2018 Collaborative Works Festival (Sept 5, 2018).

Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han celebrate the Harris Theater’s 15th Anniversary (Oct 3, 2018)

Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard accepts the ovation at University of Chicago (March 6, 2018).

Jane Glover leads Music of the Baroque in its Millennium Park debut (Sept 12, 2018).

Kurt Elling in full voice at a packed Green Mill (June 22, 2018).

Chicago Children’s Choir belting it out in Millennium Park (May 24, 2018).

Fourth Coast Ensemble opens its 5th season in Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning Unity Temple (Nov 2, 2018).

Soprano Nicole Cabell and pianist Craig Terry melt all the hearts Beyond the Aria (May 17, 2018).

Bella Voce stand and sing as one during their annual gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art (May 19, 2018).

Axe-slingin’ at the annual Bitter Jester Music Festival (July 4, 2018).

Victor Yampolsky and the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra after a blistering Mahler 5 (Feb 3, 2018).

I found a neat little corner at the Copernicus Center for this angle on Scott Speck and the Chicago Philharmonic’s season opening concert (Nov 10, 2018).

Eric Snoza is the bassist in blue for Daren Hagen’s “Orson Rehearsed” (Sept 14, 2018).

Stephen Burns and the Fulcrum Point New Music Project’s annual Concert for Peace at Harris Theater (Dec 19, 2018).

The Zukerman Trio headlines the Music Institute of Chicago’s gala weekend (May 20, 2018).

Maestro Stanley Sperber leads the masses in the International Music Foundation’s DIY Messiah (Dec 17, 2018), though one face stood out from the crowd…

…Applause for Mr. Claus. (Dec 17, 2018).