Growing up in Venezuela, I had the opportunity to be exposed to the arts and took a particular liking to classical music. Later, living in Chicago, I became an enthusiast while attending CSO performances, going to Latino Alliance events and eventually becoming a member of the Board in October of last year. Being part of the Latino Alliance gives me an exceptional opportunity to help foster the exposure of different Latino communities and different generations of Latinos to the joy, beauty and accessibility of classical music.

María Carbonell Rojas

Stay tuned for a formal announcement on September 15 — the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month — detailing the performances that will feature pre- and postconcert programming hosted by the Latino Alliance. Follow the CSO Latino Alliance Facebook Page for updates, photo content and more!

Following a successful engagement at Open House Chicago 2021 in which over 2,000 visitors — the majority of whom were first-time visitors — experienced Symphony Center, the Chicago Architecture Center has invited the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association to participate in Open House Chicago 2023.

Open House Chicago visitors will have access to the Michigan Avenue and Adams Street lobbies, Orchestra Hall, Grainger Ballroom, Symphony Center Arcade, Buntrock Hall and Rotunda spaces. There will be self-guided and station-by-station information facilitated by volunteer tour guides. CSO affinity groups including Overture Council, Student Ambassadors, Latino Alliance and African American Network, will host a Resource Fair in Grainger Ballroom. Save the date!

Did you know that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association is a member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance? The Chicago Cultural Alliance is an active consortium of over 40 cultural heritage museums, centers and historical societies that span 23 neighborhoods and 11 suburbs in the Chicago area and represent over 30 different cultures.

On Saturday, September 9, the Chicago Cultural Alliance will host World Dumpling Fest in Logan Square!

On the World Dumpling Fest stage, a trombone quintet led by Civic Fellow Hugo Saavedra and composed of musicians from across Chicago will perform arrangements of popular music, including “Hey Jude” and the “Pink Panther” theme, as well as a range of classic Latin songs.

Gramophone, the world's premier classical music magazine, has nominated the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for its annual Orchestra of the Year Award, recognizing the brilliance and virtuosity of Chicago's own. We need your help to bring this prestigious award to Chicago — vote for the CSO today.

Also, listen to Gramophone's curated CSO playlist on Apple Music Classical.