• Congratulate the winners of the Crescendo Award for Black Excellence in Music
• Get your tickets for the AAN’s next event, Through His Spirit, on Friday, April 11
• Join us for Meet-Up Days!
• Welcome Dr. Samantha Ege to Chicago
• View recent photo highlights
• Use your special AAN pricing on an upcoming concert
• Stay connected!
• Explore on Experience CSO: A Preview of Renée Baker’s salute to Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson

The AAN congratulates three artists — Renée Baker, Tage Larsen and Jessie Montgomery — who were honored at Resonating Legacies: Celebrating Black Excellence in Music, presented by the AAN on February 21 at Symphony Center.

Marian Perkins-Phillips, AAN Advisory Board member, spoke about the purpose of the AAN’s Crescendo Award for Black Excellence in Music, calling it “a celebration of achievement, artistry and resilience. It honors Black musicians, conductors and composers who have broken barriers, shaped culture and inspired generations through their contributions to classical music and beyond. This award symbolizes not just recognition, but a reminder of the power of representation, the importance of inclusion and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead when excellence meets opportunity.”

Celebrate the musical legacy of Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson in a showcase of talent and virtuosity. Enjoy the AAN reception featuring Renée Baker’s chamber opera Through His Spirit, performed by musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Chicago Modern Orchestra Project. Afterward, witness the brilliance of The Joffrey Ballet, coupled with the sonic beauty of the CSO, in world premiere choreography set to one of Perkinson’s vibrant works.

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

You will be prompted to add the free reception ticket after selecting your seats for the concert. Both a concert ticket and reception ticket are required for entry. For questions or assistance, contact Patron Services.

Announcing a new social opportunity for members of CSOA affinity groups: Meet-Up Days! These events are opportunities for members of the African American Network, Latino Alliance, the League, Overture Council and other affinity groups to meet and mingle, grab a drink and enjoy a Civic Orchestra of Chicago performance together.

Affinity group members will meet at the listed location at 5:30 p.m. and then walk to Symphony Center for the concert. Please reserve your concert tickets in advance to avoid lines at the Box Office before the performance.

Sunday, April 6
5:30: Meet at the Palmer House Lockwood Lobby Bar (17 E. Monroe St.)
7:00: Civic Orchestra: Prieto Conducts Shostakovich 7

Saturday, May 17
5:30: Meet at Cindy’s Rooftop (12 S. Michigan Ave.)
7:00: Civic Fellows Chamber Music

Monday, June 2
5:30: Meet at the Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave.)
7:30: Civic Orchestra: Respighi, Tarrodi & Sibelius 2
Please also join us for the League’s postconcert reception in Grainger Ballroom following the performance!

For more information on upcoming preconcert meet-up events or to find out how to get involved, email Brent Taghap, donor engagement manager, at taghapb@cso.org.

Dr. Samantha Ege, a longtime collaborator with the AAN, will be in Chicago in April for two exciting events:

Registration and book sales start at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon followed by the program. Reservations are required.

Samantha Ege is a leading scholar and interpreter of the African American composer Florence B. Price. As a skilled concert pianist, Dr. Ege’s performances dramatically bring her research to life.

Frank Villella is director, Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, and has been a member of the CSOA’s Rosenthal Archives’ staff since 1993.

Please note the ULCC Dress Code.

Tickets are limited and on a first come, first served basis.

Photos from the February 21 AAN event, Resonating Legacies: Celebrating Black Excellence in Music.

Photos from the February 25 event, Meet the Sphinx Virtuosi, co-hosted by the AAN and Latino Alliance.

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

As a member of the CSO African American Network, you have access to specially priced tickets for $40 or less to many concerts throughout the season, using promo code AAN. Learn more at cso.org/aan.

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.