View in Browser

CSO African American Network Newsletter

October 2025

In this month’s newsletter:

  • Read a message from Tracy Stanciel, Chair, AAN Advisory Board
  • Get your tickets to AAN at 10 Kickoff on Friday, October 10
  • Subscribe to the African American Network’s 2025/26 Season
  • View a recent photo highlight
  • Get an inside look via Experience CSO
  • Use you special membership pricing on an upcoming concert
  • Mark your calendar for the next concerts in the AAN season
  • Stay connected!

A message from Tracy Stanciel

It is with great excitement that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra African American Network kicks off its 10th season! This milestone is a testament to the dedication of the CSO and our members honoring and celebrating the achievements of African American artists in the music world.

Over the past ten years we have built a great community of music enthusiasts. We’ve enjoyed access to African American musicians, composers and conductors. As we embark on our anniversary season, we have an incredible lineup planned, from classical and R&B to jazz and gospel. We have something for every music lover. The first AAN event of the season is on October 10, featuring Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau. We will host our first reception of the year following the concert. You can explore the entire AAN season at cso.org/aan.

Whether you are a longtime member or new to the AAN, we are excited to have you with us. We encourage you to get involved and to invite a friend to join the AAN.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. We can’t wait to share this magical season with you!

Tracy Stanciel
Chair, AAN Advisory Board


Get tickets for the first event of the season!

AAN at 10 Kickoff

Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau

Friday, October 10

8:00 Concert • Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau

10:00 Event • AAN at 10 Kickoff

In a rare bass and piano duo performance, McBride and Mehldau showcase their extraordinary musical rapport and captivating interplay. The combination promises an evening of nuanced musical conversation.

Following the concert, join other African American Network members in Grainger Ballroom for the first event of the 10th season.

Specially priced concert tickets start at $40 using promo code AANSEASON. A separate ticket to attend the reception is free.

Your concert ticket pricing will be adjusted after you have added your seats to the order. When ordering your concert ticket, follow the prompts to add your free reception ticket to the order. A separate ticket to attend the AAN reception is free and required. For questions or assistance, contact Patron Services.


Subscribe to receive additional rewards!

The best way to secure your seats is to subscribe to the AAN season.

Choose three or more concerts to secure your seats at special AAN pricing, plus enjoy access to additional subscriber rewards.

Join us for this extraordinary season of music and community!


Recent photo highlight

AAN Advisory Board Vice Chair Lenese Reynolds and her husband, HR, at Symphony Ball.


Explore articles on Experience CSO

Experience CSO Article

As musicians, McBride and Mehldau feel that they’ve ‘consolidated’

“We’ve both grown and changed, but we’ve also consolidated as musicians,” says pianist Brad Mehldau of his longtime musical bond with bassist Christian McBride. “We’ve made other influences ... part of our own identities.”


Experience CSO Article

Composer James Lee III stays ‘tonally centered’ in orchestral work ‘Sukkot’

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago, under Thomas Wilkins, will perform Lee’s work on November 17 at Symphony Center, paired with Gustav Holst’s popular work, The Planets.


Experience CSO Article

Photo by Danny Clinch.

Jazz icon Herbie Hancock adds the Polar Music Prize to his vast awards tally

Hancock has picked up what many regard as the ultimate award, the Polar Music Prize, dubbed “The Nobel Prize of Music.”


Experience CSO Article

‘Rockit’! 10 essential discs by a master of all genres, the icon Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock’s discography is extensive, and he also has recorded celebrated albums alongside the greats Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and Joni Mitchell. For those who are looking to build a Hancock collection, start with these 10 recordings.


Experience CSO Article

The CSO welcomes three Fellows, with two newly appointed, for 2025/26

The CSO welcomes three Fellows for the 2025/26 Season: Ariel Seunghyun Lee (violin) and Olivia Jakyoung Huh (cello), and Jesús Linárez, who returns for his third and final season.


Experience CSO Article

Civic Orchestra releases details of its programming for the 2025/26 season

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s just-announced 2025/26 schedule includes a fall-to-spring performance series at Symphony Center, community concerts around the city and suburbs and an array of other activities.


Experience CSO Article

For 30 years, Percussion Scholarship Program has changed lives via music

Now in its 30th year, the CSOA’s Percussion Scholarship Program has provided weekly lessons for about 300 students across Chicago. Says one alumnus of the program, founded by the CSO’s Patsy Dash and Lyric’s Doug Waddell, it has “totally transformed so many lives.”


Special AAN pricing

Use your AAN member ticket benefit to enjoy an upcoming concert!

As a member of the AAN, you have access to specially priced tickets for $40 or less to select concerts using promo code AAN. Learn more at cso.org/aan.

Upcoming eligible concerts:


Coming up with the AAN

Oct. 3-4 | CSO Classical

Piccolo Play & Adagio for Strings

Nov. 20-23 | CSO Classical

Honeck Conducts Mozart Requiem


Stay connected

Follow the CSO AAN on Facebook and Instagram, or join the Facebook and LinkedIn groups.

facebookinstagramlinkedin

For more information on upcoming AAN events or to find out how to get involved, email Alyssa Greenberg, audience engagement manager, at greenberga@cso.org.

Forward this newsletter to someone who might be interested in joining the African American Network! Membership is free and members enjoy access to exclusive special events and ticket offers.


Experience CSO  |  CSOradio  |  CSOtv  |  The Symphony Store  |  Make a Gift

Thank you for your interest in receiving information about events presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association. Artists, prices and programs subject to change.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association
220 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
Patron Services: 312-294-3000

Update My Account  |  Update My Email Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Forward to a Friend  |  View in Browser