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Sempre Always

December 2024

As the chair of SEMPRE ALWAYS: The Campaign for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, it is my pleasure to share an update about this vital initiative with you. Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association family have joined together to make significant progress, and I am encouraged by supporters’ enthusiasm for the campaign’s four main pillars: achieving financial sustainability, sustaining musical excellence, expanding education and community engagement and strengthening Chicago’s cultural fabric. The commitment to the legacy of the CSO is apparent in every unique gift — each curated to support what is meaningful and inspirational to you. Every gift is important to the overall success of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for generations to come. On behalf of the CSOA Board of Trustees and leadership, thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

Helen Zell Signature

Helen Zell

Helen Zell

Progress To Date

$175 Million Goal

Violin with red filling indicating 85% toward $175 million goal

94% Raised

$165 Million Overall Total Raised | 191 Total Commitments
Endowment: $101.1 Million | Board-Directed Investments Fund: $63.9 Million

Help us reach 100% by supporting SEMPRE ALWAYS. 

All new and incremental gifts to the CSOA endowment will be matched by TAWANI Foundation. As part of a multi-year initiative to increase philanthropic support for the CSOA, you can help us secure $1 million in matching funds by making your gift to SEMPRE ALWAYS before the end of 2024.

TAWANI Foundation

Every Gift Counts!

Watch this video message from several passionate supporters of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra sharing why they chose to make a gift toward SEMPRE ALWAYS.

SEMPRE ALWAYS: A Message of Encouragement

Watch additional campaign videos »

In the Spotlight


Ann and Roger Blickensderfer stand with CSO cello Brant Taylor (center), holder of the Blickensderfer Family Chair.

BLICKENSDERFER FAMILY CHAIR: Brant Taylor, Cello

Ann and Roger Blickensderfer made a generous commitment to SEMPRE ALWAYS: The Campaign for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to endow the Blickensderfer Family Chair, a position currently held by CSO cellist Brant Taylor.

“Our endowment will be a legacy for us,” says Ann. “My brother and I have named the chair for our family, not only for us but for our parents who instilled in us and our ancestors who have passed down over the generations their love of music.”

Read the full article about what inspired siblings Ann and Roger Blickensderfer to share their lifelong love of music through a meaningful commitment that names a musician chair in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

THE GOVERNING MEMBERS CHAIR: John Bruce Yeh, Assistant Principal Clarinet

John Bruce Yeh

As a part of the SEMPRE ALWAYS campaign, the ambitious fundraising goal of $1 million for the Governing Members Chair is well underway. The inaugural holder of this sponsored chair is Assistant Principal Clarinet John Bruce Yeh.

$593,000 has been raised toward the $1 million goal.

Governing Members can consider a one-time gift, an incremental gift in addition to their annual Governing Member support, an estate gift or a unique combination. Please contact us for further information.

WOMEN’S BOARD GUEST ARTIST FUND to support conductor Karina Canellakis

Conductor Karina Canellakis

To support SEMPRE ALWAYS, CSOA Women’s Board members have joined to support the Women’s Board Guest Artist Endowment Fund, a collective fundraising initiative to annually sponsor a guest artist, conductor or composer. This season, the fund will support the appearance of Conductor Karina Canellakis in April 2025.

Under the leadership of Courtney Shea and Judy Feldman, $385,000 has been raised toward the $500,000 goal.

Women’s Board members can consider a one-time gift, an incremental gift in addition to their annual support, an estate gift or a unique combination. Please contact us for further information.

Planned Giving — Support Simplified, Impact Amplified

Theodore Thomas Society

Of the 191 total SEMPRE ALWAYS commitments to date, 86 campaign commitments have utilized planned giving. $43.7 million of the $165 million raised is entirely gifts through estate planning.

  Consider documenting your estate plans with the CSO:
  • Your planned gift can be earmarked to support SEMPRE ALWAYS, helping to reach the campaign’s goal of $175 million.
  • Your planned gift will count toward the goal of 15 new documented estate plans — unlocking a $50,000 matching gift for SEMPRE ALWAYS from Penny and John Van Horn.
  • All planned giving donors enjoy the benefits of membership in the Theodore Thomas Society.

Explore a full donor listing for SEMPRE ALWAYS.

Gifts are unique in size, timeline, structure and purpose. 

To learn more, contact:

Al Andreychuk | AndreychukA@cso.org | 312-294-3150 | Contact

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

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