View in Browser

CSO African American Network Newsletter

May 2025

CSO African American Network 24|25 Season

In this month’s newsletter:

  • Get your tickets for June’s AAN events celebrating Black excellence in classical and jazz on June 5 and 13
  • View recent photo highlights
  • Explore articles on Experience CSO
  • Read news from the Negaunee Music Institute
  • Connect with other CSOA volunteers at Meet-Up Days
  • Read a note from our friends at the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
  • Use your special AAN pricing on upcoming concerts featuring Janai Brugger, Heather Headley and more
  • Stay connected!

Get your tickets for June’s AAN events celebrating Black excellence in classical and jazz on June 5 and 13

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.

View events flyer »

AAN Meets Randall Goosby

Elder, Goosby & Price

June 5 | 7:30 Concert | 9:30 Event

AAN Meets Randall Goosby

Acclaimed for the sensitivity and intensity of his musicianship, American violinist Randall Goosby performs Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2 on a program with Prokofiev’s enchanting Seventh Symphony.

After the concert, join the AAN in meeting Randall Goosby in Grainger Ballroom. Cupcakes for AAN Meets Randall Goosby are generously provided by Molly’s Cupcakes.

AAN’s Tribute to Africa

Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite

June 13 | 8:00 Concert | 9:30 Event

AAN’s Tribute to Africa

Hear Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite in a rare live performance, inspired in part by Nelson Mandela and the intense struggle for human rights in 1980s apartheid South Africa.

Afterward, join the AAN to celebrate the season finale and meet the artists. Event design generously provided by Lauren Deane Premier Events.

Recent photo highlights

Susan Carlotta Ellis, outreach and education committee chair, connects with concertgoers at the AAN Advisory Board table before the Hiromi’s Sonicwonder / Brandee Younger Trio concert on Friday, April 4.

AAN’s Through His Spirit event in Grainger Ballroom on Friday, April 11

Explore articles on Experience CSO

Experience CSO Article

Janai Brugger happy to return to her hometown and perform with the CSO

“I was very much exposed to it [opera] as a young girl,” says soprano Janai Brugger. “I never thought I would ever be singing it, but I was always intrigued and appreciated it.”

Experience CSO Article

Remembering the world premiere of Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite 

Ahead of the world premiere of Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite, inspired in part by Nelson Mandela and the campaign for human rights in apartheid-era South Africa, Peterson’s widow reflected on events that led up to the work. 

Experience CSO Article

SCP Jazz offers just third-ever performance of Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite

To honor the centennial of legendary jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson, SCP Jazz is presenting his well-known but seldom-heard Africa Suite in its entirety.

Experience CSO Article

Thomas Wilkins points out that classical music is ‘not a career, it’s a calling’

“A life in classical music reminds me that I play an important role in nurturing not just artists, but also society,” says conductor Thomas Wilkins. “This is not a career — it’s a calling.”

Experience CSO Article

The resurgence of works by the composer Florence Price continues unbated

Few composers have experienced the meteoric rediscovery that Florence Price has enjoyed in the last decade. Nearly forgotten since her death in 1953, her works are now seeing a renaissance.

Experience CSO Article

For Heather Headley, Broadway continues to exert a special pull

Broadway retains a special place in Heather Headley’s heart, and not only because so many aspects of her success have grown from her celebrated early years on the New York stage.

Experience CSO Article

Violinist Randall Goosby believes his primary role is to connect and tell a story

“Our job is to connect with people and tell a story. You can’t do that purely by focusing on technique and the physicality and logistics of playing the instrument,” says violinist Randall Goosby. “It has to come from a place of musical inspiration and understanding.”

Negaunee Music Institute news

Experience CSO Article

Equity Arc teen musicians call Symphony Center experience truly awesome

Equity Arc Pathways and similar groups are essential to the future of classical music, says high-school senior and percussionist Rishab Jain: “They allow us to be on a level playing field where we can display our talents.”

Spring 2025 Meet-Up Days

Join us for the last Meet-Up Day of the season! This event is an opportunity 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.

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.

From our friends at the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI)

Randall Goosby Violin Masterclass 

Friday, June 6, 6:30 PM | Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center

Join the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) — a program that supports classical music students from underrepresented backgrounds with the financial resources, training and mentorship needed to successfully audition at top colleges, conservatories and universities as music majors — for a violin masterclass featuring luminary soloist Randall Goosby. This masterclass will feature three CMPI violin fellow performers and is free to attend with no tickets required.

View event flyer »

Special AAN offer for upcoming concerts featuring Janai Brugger, Heather Headley and more

Use your 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.

An American Suite

Saturday, May 31, 7:30 PM

Dvořák’s radiant salute to the New World kicks off an American road trip with James Gaffigan at the wheel. Take in poignant selections from Gershwin’s landmark opera — sung by Janai Brugger — and the composer’s urbane and nostalgic love letter to Paris. Chicago native Florence Price sets two American poems to song, and a pair of symphonic showstoppers by Bernstein transports audiences to “New York, New York” and beyond.

Specially priced concert tickets start at $40 with promo code AAN.

An Evening with Heather Headley

Tuesday, June 3, 7:30 PM

Tony and Grammy Award winner Heather Headley joins the CSO for a night of music from her celebrated 25-year Broadway career. Billboard praises her as “one of the great entertainers of the day, on record and on stage,” and says that her live performance “absolutely astounds with its intensity.”

Specially priced concert tickets start at $40 with promo code AAN.

Additional concerts with special pricing using promo code AAN:

Field of Dreams in Concert
Friday, May 30, 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 1, 3:00 PM

Civic: Respighi, Tarrodi & Sibelius 2
Monday, June 2, 7:30 PM

Víkingur Ólafsson
Sunday, June 8, 3:00 PM

Mozart & Britten with the Chicago Symphony Chamber Players
Tuesday, June 10, 6:30 PM

Stay connected

Follow the CSO AAN on 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