Make the Chicago Symphony Orchestra part of your school year!
2023
/ 24 SEASON CSO.ORG / SCHOOLCONCERTS
Concerts for Pre-K
Performances at 10:15 & 11:30
Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center
ONCE UPON A SYMPHONY
Designed for our youngest concertgoers, Once Upon a Symphony weaves together live music, vivid storytelling, sets and costumes to create a magical experience.
The Three Little Pigs
Monday, December 11, 2023
Monday, February 12, 2024
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
When their father sends out the Three Little Pigs into the world, each chooses to build a house using a different material. With the Big Bad Wolf on the prowl, the pigs are quick to learn whether straw, sticks or bricks can best withstand the wolf’s ferocious strength! This story explores, through music, how the combination of courage, individual talent and collective work leads to success.
Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears
Monday, April 8, 2024
Monday, May 20, 2024
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
When young Goldilocks stumbles upon a quaint cottage and goes inside to explore, she has no idea it belongs to three bears who are on their way home! With this classic story as a guide, young audiences are invited to experience the wide and wonderful world of the forest through Goldilocks’ eyes and playfully explore some of the responsibilities that come along with growing older.
Once Upon a Symphony is produced and presented in partnership with
Concerts for K-5
Performances at 10:15 & 12:00 Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
Global Perspectives
Friday, November 3, 2023
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
François López-Ferrer conductor
Together with guest conductor François López-Ferrer, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra embark on a musical journey around the world. Experience how orchestral music celebrates the extraordinary diversity of people, culture, and places across the globe, from Europe to the Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia and beyond!
Carnival of the Animals
Friday, February 16, 2024
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Lina González-Granados conductor
Charlotte Blake Alston narrator
Lina González-Granados leads members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in SaintSaëns’ humorous and imaginative masterpiece, The Carnival of the Animals. Guided by narration from master storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston, the orchestra depicts nature’s most amazing creatures — from the mighty elephant to the majestic swan.
Sound Waves
Friday, May 10, 2024
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Tania Miller conductor
Join guest conductor Tania Miller and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a concert that dives into the wonder and symbolism of water. Flow through majestic rivers, stormy seas and galactic ice as the musicians use sound to convey the source of life.
FRANÇOIS LÓPEZ-FERRER
LINA GONZÁLEZ-GRANADOS
TANIA MILLER
Concerts for Middle & High School
Performances at 10:15 & 12:00
Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
Empowered by Music
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Lidiya Yankovskaya conductor
Esme Arias-Kim violin
Winner of the 2022 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition
How does your community uplift and inspire you? What can be achieved when you forge positive relationships with others? Guest conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a program that demonstrates how artists throughout history have been empowered by collaboration and how we can all fulfill our dreams with support from the people around us.
For Chicago Public Schools, tickets and transportation to CSO School Concerts are FREE
For more information and to order tickets, visit cso.org/schoolconcerts
ESME ARIAS-KIM
LIDIYA YANKOVSKAYA
Education Open Rehearsals
Each season, the CSO opens several of its working rehearsals to high school music students. These unique opportunities provide an insider’s view of how the Orchestra prepares for a concert. Following the rehearsal, students are invited to participate in a Q & A session with a CSO musician.
2023/24 Season open rehearsal dates will be announced in the fall. For more information and to request admission, please visit cso.org/openrehearsals.
The number of students admitted is limited and reservations are required. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Check out CSO for Kids Digital on CSOtv at cso.tv/cso-for-kids
These fun and engaging videos bring music to life through the exploration of children’s literature and songs.
Support for Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association programming for children and families is provided by Abbott Fund, John Hart and Carol Prins, Kinder Morgan, PNC, Megan and Steve Shebik, Michael and Linda Simon, and the Walter and Caroline Sueske Charitable Trust.
Youth Education Sponsor OUT!School'sOUT! My Magic Breath The Music in George’s Head May There Always Be Sunshine Maybe Something Beautiful Exquisite School’s Out!
Illustrations by Michelle Polizzi (My Magic Breath), Stacy Innerst (The Music in George’s Head), Susie Signorino (May There Always Be Sunshine), Rafael López (Maybe Something Beautiful) and Cozbi A. Cabrera (Exquisite)
Can’t make one of our concerts or open rehearsals? Contact the CSO’s Group Sales team to learn more about current ticket prices for Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents concerts. Call 312-294-3040!
SHARE YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
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