Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chicago Symphony?
Chicago Symphony is the non-profit organization that stewards three acclaimed classical music ensembles, including the renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra; presents a dynamic performance series with guest artists; and comprises an embedded music education institute. It also operates Chicago Symphony Center as its venue.
Chicago Symphony comprises:
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- Chicago Symphony Chorus
- Civic Orchestra of Chicago
- Chicago Symphony Presents
- Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute
- Chicago Symphony Center
What was the organization called before, and what has been renamed?
The organization was formerly known publicly as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA). As part of a new naming system introduced in 2026, several entities within the organization now also carry the Chicago Symphony name:
| Former name | Current name |
| Symphony Center Presents (SCP) | Chicago Symphony Presents |
| Negaunee Music Institute | Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute |
| Symphony Center | Chicago Symphony Center |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Chicago Symphony Orchestra (unchanged) |
| Chicago Symphony Chorus | Chicago Symphony Chorus (unchanged) |
| Civic Orchestra of Chicago | Civic Orchestra of Chicago (unchanged) |
Why did the organization change its name to Chicago Symphony?
The organization streamlined its name to Chicago Symphony and introduced a new naming system that unifies and clarifies the breadth of the cultural organization’s offerings, which include world-renowned ensembles, a dynamic concert presentation series and education and community engagement programs.
Is Chicago Symphony the same as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra?
No. Chicago Symphony is the umbrella organization. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1891, is its core ensemble and remains at the heart of the organization’s artistic identity.
The Chicago Symphony name reflects the organization’s full scope of artistic, educational and community offerings.
Does the Chicago Symphony Orchestra still exist?
Yes. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra continues to be a global artistic leader, hailed as one of the most esteemed ensembles in classical music. It remains the core ensemble of Chicago Symphony. Its name has not changed. Only the umbrella organization’s name has changed.
What does “CSO” refer to?
CSO refers to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the core ensemble of Chicago Symphony.
Should I search for “Chicago Symphony” or “Chicago Symphony Orchestra”?
Both are correct, depending on what you are looking for. Use Chicago Symphony for the organization and all of its ensembles, education programs and presentations. Use Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the Orchestra itself.
Is Chicago Symphony connected to other Chicago music organizations with similar names?
No. Chicago Symphony is not affiliated with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Philharmonic, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras or Lyric Opera of Chicago. These are separate organizations.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has a longstanding connection to the Ravinia Festival on the North Shore, where the ensemble performs a popular series of outdoor concerts each summer.
Is Chicago Symphony a nonprofit organization?
Yes. Chicago Symphony is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Programming is supported by annual concert ticket sales and the generous contributions of donors.
What is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra?
Founded in 1891 by pioneering conductor Theodore Thomas, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a global artistic leader, hailed as one of the most esteemed ensembles in classical music.
The Orchestra performs approximately 150 concerts annually, tours nationally and internationally and reaches listeners worldwide through a weekly syndicated radio broadcast series and a catalog of recordings, which has earned 65 Grammy awards. It is known for its signature sound and for introducing numerous works to audiences in the United States and around the world.
What is the Chicago Symphony Chorus?
The Chicago Symphony Chorus is the nation’s largest professional chorus. It was founded during the 1957/58 Season by conductor Margaret Hillis to match the quality of the Orchestra.
The Chorus performs alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has appeared on domestic and international tours, has given world premieres and has earned 10 Grammy awards for Best Choral Performance since its first commercial recordings in 1959.
What is the Civic Orchestra of Chicago?
The Civic Orchestra of Chicago is a prestigious ensemble for early-career musicians. Part of the Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute and a pillar of the organization’s commitment to the future of classical music, the Civic Orchestra prepares its members for multifaceted and meaningful careers in orchestral music and beyond.
The Civic Orchestra was founded during the 1919/20 Season by Frederick Stock, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s second music director. Today, members give numerous performances each season and participate in rigorous orchestral training with Principal Conductor Ken-David Masur, distinguished guest conductors and a faculty of coaches comprised of Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians. More than 160 Civic Orchestra alumni have gone on to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
What is Chicago Symphony Presents?
Chicago Symphony Presents, formerly known as Symphony Center Presents, is Chicago Symphony’s dynamic performance series with guest artists. Its origins date to the 1930s.
Chicago Symphony Presents features world-renowned guest artists in jazz, global and chamber music and offers one of the country’s most distinguished piano recital series in concerts at Chicago Symphony Center.
What is the leadership structure of Chicago Symphony?
Jeff Alexander is the president of Chicago Symphony. He has held the role since 2015, working closely alongside the Board of Trustees, chaired by Mary Louise Gorno, in support of Chicago Symphony’s artistic, education and financial goals.
Who is the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra?
Klaus Mäkelä is Zell Music Director Designate and begins his tenure as Zell Music Director in September 2027. He will be the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s eleventh music director.
He succeeds Riccardo Muti, who held the position from 2010 to 2023 and now serves as Music Director Emeritus for Life.
Who has led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra historically?
The Orchestra’s music directors have included founder Theodore Thomas, Frederick Stock, Désiré Defauw, Artur Rodziński, Rafael Kubelík, Fritz Reiner, Jean Martinon, Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim and Riccardo Muti. Bernard Haitink served as principal conductor; and Carlo Maria Giulini, Claudio Abbado and Pierre Boulez held tenures as principal guest conductors.
What is the Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute?
The Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute, formerly known as the Negaunee Music Institute, is Chicago Symphony’s embedded education and community engagement institute.
The Negaunee Music Institute:
- Reaches more than 200,000 people annually in the Chicago area
- Partners with Chicago Public Schools, the third-largest public school system in the country
- Produces concerts for schools and families
- Offers free and low-cost public performances
- Oversees the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a prestigious ensemble for early-career musicians
- Provides world-class training for emerging musicians
- Leads community and social impact initiatives throughout the Chicago area
How does Chicago Symphony serve the community?
Chicago Symphony is a cultural leader that provides exceptional musical experiences and education for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute produces concerts for schools and families, organizes free and low-cost public programming at venues throughout Chicago and offers world-class musical training to tomorrow’s musicians. The Institute also spearheads social impact initiatives that highlight the unique ability of music to foster empathy and healing.
Chicago Symphony aims to eliminate barriers to musical experiences and education through inclusive programming that ensures everyone can experience the joy of live music. Our full scholarship youth training programs are also designed to support the needs of young musicians across Chicago’s communities.
Does Chicago Symphony offer programs for children and families?
Yes. Chicago Symphony has presented concerts designed for children and families for more than 100 years, alongside educational programs, school concerts and learning opportunities for audiences of all ages.
How does Chicago Symphony support young musicians?
Chicago Symphony supports emerging musicians through the Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute which together provide artistic training, mentorship, full scholarship youth training programs and professional development and performance opportunities, including those offered through the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Where does Chicago Symphony have performances?
Chicago Symphony’s primary performance venue is Chicago Symphony Center in downtown Chicago, formerly known as Symphony Center. It is located on Chicago’s Cultural Mile adjacent to Millennium Park at 220 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604.
Orchestra Hall is located within Chicago Symphony Center, along with other performance and gathering spaces that host concerts by Chicago Symphony’s ensembles and Chicago Symphony Presents throughout the year.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra also performs each summer at the Ravinia Festival on Chicago’s North Shore and tours throughout the United States and internationally.
What is Orchestra Hall?
Orchestra Hall is the historic concert hall within Chicago Symphony Center. Designed by architect and CSO Trustee Daniel H. Burnham, it opened in 1904 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994. It has been the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for more than a century.
Does Chicago Symphony tour?
Yes. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra regularly tours throughout the United States and internationally. Since 1892, the Orchestra has completed 65 international tours, performing in 30 countries across five continents.
What is Chicago Symphony’s mission?
With the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at its core, the mission of Chicago Symphony is to enrich, inspire and transform lives through music, community engagement and education — locally, nationally and internationally
What is Chicago Symphony known for?
Chicago Symphony is known for the internationally renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra and its legendary sound; for artistic excellence across its three ensembles, which also include the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago; for distinguished guest artist concerts through Chicago Symphony Presents; for leadership in music education through the Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute; and for its primary venue, Chicago Symphony Center, the musical heart of the Chicago Cultural Mile, which is home to historic Orchestra Hall.
Who is Chicago Symphony for?
Chicago Symphony is for everyone and invites all to experience the transformative power of live performance. Chicago Symphony brings people together to share their passions for music, the arts and the city of Chicago, including classical music aficionados and those looking to discover new artists or seeking connection with their community.
How is Chicago Symphony shaping the future of classical music?
The CSO has been at the forefront of classical music since its founding in 1891, with a long history of introducing new compositions to the United States and the world.
Klaus Mäkelä, a leader of classical music’s next generation, begins his tenure as Zell Music Director in the 2027/28 Season, ushering in a new chapter for the CSO. The CSO’s new music director will honor the Orchestra’s legacy with a fresh perspective gleaned from his artistic depth and profound capacity to inspire from the podium.
The Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute is a leading program for music education. Its initiatives build future audiences, cultivate tomorrow’s musicians and empower people of all backgrounds, across Chicago and around the world.
Plan your visit with information about venues and seating, parking and transit, dining and refreshments, accessibility, frequently asked questions about the concertgoing experience and the Symphony Store.
We have the perfect seat for you!