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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chris Thile & the CSO
June 8, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Overview
Adding his trademark whimsical storytelling, instrumental virtuosity and ever-present sense of humor to Symphony Center’s America 250 tribute, Grammy Award-winning mandolinist Chris Thile returns for his second appearance of the season — this time with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. A founding member of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, the singer and composer performs ATTENTION! A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra — alongside vivid works by Barber, Copland and Caroline Shaw.
Program
Barber
The School for Scandal Overture
Shaw
And So from Is a Rose
Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man
Thile
ATTENTION! A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra
Various
Julep [Encore]
Chris Thile mandolin
Bill Monroe
On and On [Encore]
Chris Thile mandolin and vocals
Chris Thile mandolin and vocals
Dan Carson guitar and vocals
Alexander Hanna bass
Performers
Discover more on Experience CSO
Of his narrative song cycle "ATTENTION!," composer-mandolinist Chris Thile says with a laugh: “I talk, I sing, I play, I move around. There’s a lot.”
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On July 10, 1962, Aaron Copland appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival, conducting his Orchestral Variations and Old American Songs with bass-baritone William Warfield.
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Twelve years after his first volume, mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile has returned to the well for Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol. 2, which Nonesuch Records will release on Nov. 7.
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