NAPERVILLE CHORUS Competitors

Explore, support and influence the future of music by becoming part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s next generation. Join Chicago’s premier young professionals’ network, the Overture Council, today! The Overture Council (OC) provides a community for Chicago-area young professionals aged 21-45 who share a love of music and a desire to learn more about how to support the CSO. OC members contribute to the mission of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) through concert attendance and advocacy of its diverse musical offerings and community programs. Members also receive exclusive ticket discounts, access to members-only social events and other special opportunities to connect with CSO musicians. The OC is also the mastermind behind the CSO’s Soundpost event series, which offers a unique and interactive experience that explores the many sides of music.

Founded in 1956 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Chicago Children's Choir is a nonprofit organization committed to peacefully uniting a diverse world through education, musical expression and excellence. Serving more than 4,400 children annually, Chicago Children's Choir empowers singers to bridge cultural divides and become ambassadors of peace in their communities. With programs in 79 Chicago schools, 10 after-school neighborhood programs, an ensemble for boys with changing voices and the internationally-acclaimed Voice of Chicago, the diversity of Chicago Children's Choir reflects the cultural landscape of the city. Under President and Artistic Director Josephine Lee, the Choir has undertaken many highly successful national and international tours, was featured in the Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award-winning documentary Songs on the Road to Freedom (2008) and has been featured in nationally broadcast television and radio performances, including NBC’s Today, Oprah and the PBS series From the Top: Live from Carnegie Hall. Chicago Children’s Choir regularly collaborates with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ravinia Festival and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The Choir proudly serves its community with frequent performances throughout Chicago.

The award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra offers exceptional live music experiences and brings world-renowned soloists and musicians to Elgin, Illinois. A six-concert classics subscription series and several special event concerts are held yearly at the Hemmens Cultural Center and additional venues throughout the Elgin area. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is committed to making live orchestra performances accessible to everyone in the community through: • Free community concerts • Performances at hospitals, hospices, and senior residences through its Musicians Care program • Supplemental music education programs in local elementary schools through the ESO’s Adopt-A-School program and youth concert experiences through the Ainsworth Concerts for Youth • Educational Listener’s Club lectures at libraries • Free tickets to classics performances for children age 17 and under with a paid adult • Affordable concert pricing • Free tickets for first-time guests of the ESO Founded in 1950 as a community orchestra, the ESO became a professional ensemble in 1985 in good part due to the leadership of the late Margaret Hillis, who served as the ESO’s music director from 1971 to 1985. Hillis was one of the first females to break through the male-dominated world of conducting and is credited with being the impetus behind the creation of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Association, the formation of the ESO’s volunteer core – the Elgin Symphony League, and the start of the ESO’s commitment to music education and enrichment for youth. Chad Goodman was named Music Director in May 2023. Previous Music Directors included: Douglas Steensland (1950-1971) Margaret Hillis (1971-1985) Robert Hanson (1985-2011) Andrew Grams (2013-2021) The Illinois Council of Orchestras has named the ESO Orchestra of the Year four times (1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016). The ESO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more visit www.elginsymphony.org.