Continue reading for more information about these events, or click on a photo to access RSVP forms or ticket links!

Keeping with the OC’s tradition of supporting Civic Orchestra of Chicago concerts, members attended the Civic Orchestra Brass & Percussion concert on March 3 and a Civic Orchestra performance of Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto on April 6. The April 6 concert featured current Civic members and Civic alumni. Both concerts were preceded by happy hours at the Palmer House Lobby Bar.

On March 23, Overture Council members were granted free entry to CSO MusicNOW. The most recent iteration, curated by Jimmy López, honored the tradition of introducing audience members to contemporary music. López’s original compositions brought a unique and fresh perspective to the traditional genres of string quartet and concerto grosso compositions (Program Book). OC members also enjoyed a postconcert reception graciously provided by the CSO Latino Alliance.

On April 11, CSO x The Joffrey Ballet inspired new connections between the Overture Council and Generation J, the young professionals organization of The Joffrey Ballet (Program Book). After a pair of symphonies from the 1770s, performances of Coleridge Taylor-Perkinson’s Sinfonietta No. 1 for Strings and Darius Milhaud’s Le Bœuf sur le toit accompanied original choreography performed by dancers from The Joffrey Ballet. Following the concert, OC and Gen J members connected at Industry Ales, marking a memorable March and early April for the OC. 

On April 25, the OC had a unique opportunity to meet CSO Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä. After a heartfelt and world-class performance of Gustav Mahler’s epic and existential Third Symphony, a postconcert reception was hosted in the Forte event space at Symphony Center. Klaus Mäkelä made an appearance, thanking the OC for our support of the CSO and expressing his appreciation for the city of Chicago. The OC Instagram account posted a reel for those who wish to relive this night! Please give us a follow if you haven’t already.

Thank you to all who joined us for these festivities; we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! We have a lot of fun social events paired with a slate of unique and varied concerts to close out the season. Please also save the date for June 21, when we are planning to have our End of Season Party. Stay tuned for more details!

OC Ticket Offers

Overture Council members have access to specially priced tickets for $40 or less to select concerts throughout the season. Here are the steps to take advantage of this perk.  

• Step 1: Visit the calendar listing for performances that have the OC ticket offer available. (OC tickets usually become available 1-4 weeks ahead of the concert date with newly eligible concerts typically added on Thursday afternoons.)
• Step 2: Choose your preferred concert. All seats available with this special offer will appear on the seat map. Select your seats and add to your order.
• Step 3: Proceed through the checkout process. Tickets will be delivered by email so you can add them to your mobile wallet, unless you select another delivery method.
• Step 4: Attend the concert!

OC Wine Tasting at Taste Food & Wine
Friday, May 30
5:00-8:00 PM

Please join us for a happy hour at Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park on Friday, May 30. Kick off patio season with a casual evening of wine tasting and great conversation with fellow members. Sample a variety of wines and enjoy spring in good company.

If you’d like to attend, please fill out the RSVP form below. Wine tastings start at $5, and guests are responsible for their own food and drink purchases.

Civic End of Season Celebration
Respighi, Tarrodi & Sibelius 2
Monday, June 2

Please join us for the final Civic Orchestra of Chicago concert of the 2024/25 Season! There will also be a preconcert happy hour at The Gage and a postconcert pizza party in Grainger Ballroom, celebrating the hard work and dedication of the Civic Orchestra musicians and thanking the audience for their support.

OC members are responsible for the purchase of their own food and drink at the preconcert happy hour. Food and refreshments at the postconcert pizza party are complimentary for all guests, thanks to the generosity of our friends in the League of the CSOA.

Be sure to RSVP through the link below to reserve your concert tickets. The CSOA holds a block of 20 tickets for Overture Council members at all Civic Orchestra performances held at Symphony Center. Civic Orchestra performances are free to attend but require a reservation. Our OC block guarantees you a seat and allows you to sit near fellow members! Tickets are first-come, first-served. 

Event Schedule

5:30 PM — Happy Hour at the Gage
Food and drinks are not provided.

7:30 PM — Civic Concert: Respighi, Tarrodi & Sibelius 2

9:30 PM — Postconcert Pizza Party in Grainger Ballroom
Hosted by the League of the CSOA. 

OC Concert Highlight! & Out at the CSO
Saturday, June 7

Join us for the final OC Concert Highlight! of the season: Elder, Goosby & Price, featuring acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby and guest conductor Sir Mark Elder! Concert attendees are also invited to attend a sparkling wine toast at concert intermission in Grainger Ballroom.

Also, don’t miss the CSO’s preconcert celebration to kick off Pride Month! Enjoy beverages provided by Revolution Brewing and Sidetrack Chicago, and cupcakes generously provided by Molly’s Cupcakes. The event features drag performances from Neutral Gena, Ari Gato, Peeper Johnson and Chamilla Foxx, some of Chicago’s finest entertainers. DJ Shaun Lacosta Sinclair guides the evening from club to concert as the CSO takes the stage in Orchestra Hall. 

Separate reception tickets are free and also required. When ordering your concert ticket, you will be prompted to add the free reception ticket after selecting your seats for the concert. Both a concert ticket and a reception ticket are required for entry.

Specially priced concert tickets are $35 with promo code OCPRIDE.

Mozart & Britten with the Chicago Symphony Chamber Players
Tuesday, June 10

Revel in the timeless beauty of chamber music, presented by the Chicago Symphony Chamber Players. Britten’s Phantasy for Oboe and String Trio in F Minor weaves enchanting dialogues between the instruments, creating a captivating interplay of voices. Mozart’s Divertimento in E-flat Major for String Trio showcases his mastery with intimate and inventive movements, each exuding emotive depth and musical sensitivity.

Pay what you wish, starting at $15, for this concert. Choose between on-stage or Terrace seating to experience the performance up close. General admission seating for both sections is first come, first seated.

Performers include CSO Concertmaster Robert Chen, CSO Principal Viola Teng Li, CSO Section Cello Karen Basrak and CSO Principal Oboe William Welter. This is a unique opportunity to see each of these great musicians showcase their skills in a more soloistic capacity!

Event Schedule

5:30 PM — Happy Hour at Club X Speakeasy
Food and drinks are not provided.

6:30 PM — Concert: Mozart & Britten with the Chicago Symphony Chamber Players

CSO Concert: Riccardo Muti & Esteban Batallán

with a Latino Alliance afterparty!
Thursday, June 12

Esteban Batallán, the CSO’s principal trumpet since 2019, makes his much-anticipated debut as a soloist with the Orchestra in a pair of brilliant, high-flying concertos. CSO Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti frames the program with Joseph Haydn’s tempestuous Symphony No. 48 and Schubert’s Haydn-inspired Tragic Symphony.

Use promo code OCLA to secure discounted tickets to this showcase for two of the CSO’s preeminent musical leaders!

Please join us at Club X Speakeasy (224 S. Wabash Ave.) prior to the concert to socialize with fellow OC members. Please note: OC members are responsible for purchasing their own food and beverages.

Afterward, celebrate Batallán’s CSO soloist debut alongside the Latino Alliance in Grainger Ballroom. Free tickets are required for entry. Learn more about the Nuestras Noches event via the online flyer, and secure your free postconcert reception ticket.

Event Schedule

5:30 PM — Happy Hour at Club X Speakeasy
Food and drinks are not provided.

7:30 PM — CSO Concert: Riccardo Muti & Esteban Batallán

9:30 PM — Nuestras Noches Event

Looking to take your membership to the max? Join a committee!
Most committee business takes place on Slack, so be sure to check there for up-to-date committee happenings.

Core Member Activities: Suet Lee
External Relations: Geetha Somayajula
Membership: Dan Bohlmann
Next joint meeting: Wednesday, June 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid: 220 S. Michigan Ave. or join on Teams

Stay up to date on all Overture Council events and happenings by visiting our social media pages or following the complete season calendar. Have an idea for our next Clef Notes? Submit it here!