• Read a Black History Month greeting from AAN Chair Tracy A. Stanciel
• Celebrate Black History Month: Honoring Black Artists in Music
• Learn more about an upcoming NMI program: IMPACT
• Join us for Meet-Up Days!
• View recent photo highlights
• Explore on Experience CSO: Black History Month 2025
• Subscribe to the AAN’s 2024/25 Season
• Use your special AAN pricing on an upcoming concert
• Stay connected!

Dear CSO African American Network members,

This is a time to celebrate and reflect on the achievements, culture, contributions and history of Black people.

The music of Florence Price, the first Black woman to have her symphony performed by a major orchestra, echoed through the chambers of Auditorium Theatre in 1933, performed by the CSO. In 1968, Henry Lewis became the first Black man to conduct in Orchestra Hall. Since then, their talents have influenced many who came after them.

We benefit every day from the inventions and contributions of Black Americans. Can you imagine what our world would look like without the following contributions of Black engineers, innovators and creatives?

• Traffic lights — Garrett Morgan
• The blood bank system — Dr. Charles Drew
• Home security systems — Marie Van Brittan Brown
• Caller ID & call waiting — Shirley Ann Jackson

As we celebrate Black History Month, I encourage everyone to revisit the contributions of Black Americans. Share them with others who may not know and uplift these accomplishments throughout the year.

We can also use this time to focus on our strength, resilience and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. I encourage you all to do a day of service volunteering for a Black organization. Wishing you all an inspiring, meaningful and peaceful month!

Tracy A. Stanciel
Chair, CSO African American Network

Revealing the connections between vaudeville, blues, jazz and more, French-American vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant bridges the gap between our musical past and contemporary world. Following Salvant’s performance, join the AAN for a reception featuring a sing-along of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a tribute to Black musicians, along with a dynamic dance performance. Celebrate the richness of Black history through music and movement.

The reception is held in Grainger Ballroom following the concert.

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.

The trailblazing, 18-member string orchestra, composed of outstanding Black and Latino musicians from around the country, performs diverse masterworks by Teresa Carreño and former Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery, who joins the program with her 2024 Grammy-winning Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra. Following the concert, CSO African American Network and Latino Alliance members are invited to raise a glass alongside Sphinx Virtuosi leadership and musicians in celebration of their Symphony Center debut.

The event is co-hosted with the CSO Latino Alliance and held in Grainger Ballroom following the concert.

Cookies for this event are generously provided by Sugar Bliss. 

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.

Join us for Impact to celebrate education and community engagement at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Be inspired by the musicians who are learning, growing and serving Chicago through the programs produced by the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO. Enjoy a showcase of extraordinary performances by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, musicians from the CSO, Percussion Scholarship Program students and Young Artists Competition winner Jaden Teague-Núñez. Plus, hear works from the Notes for Peace program and Young Composers Initiative. Transform lives by supporting these vital education and community engagement activities.

Announcing a new social opportunity for members of CSOA affinity groups: Meet-Up Days! These events are opportunities for members of the AAN, 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 location at 5:30 p.m. and then walk to Symphony Center for the concert. Please reserve your tickets in advance to avoid lines at the Box Office prior to the performance.

Upcoming Meet-Up Days:

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.

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.