Starlight 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.

Lyric Opera of Chicago, founded in 1954, is one of the world's greatest opera companies. It is renowned internationally for its artistic excellence and financial strength. Over the past two decades the company has achieved unparalleled success in its ticket sales, averaging 100% attendance from 1988-2002. Lyric Opera is also distinguished for having operated in the black for 20 of the past 21 years.

Conceived over 60 years ago as one of the nation’s first nonprofit theaters, The Public has long operated on the principles that theater is an essential cultural force and that art and culture belong to everyone. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public’s wide breadth of programming includes an annual season of new work at its landmark home at Astor Place, Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, the Mobile Unit touring throughout New York City’s five boroughs, Public Works, Public Shakespeare Initiative, and Joe’s Pub. Since premiering HAIR in 1967, The Public continues to create the canon of American Theater and is currently represented on Broadway by the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Their programs and productions can also be seen regionally across the country and around the world. The Public has received 60 Tony Awards, 190 Obie Awards, 57 Drama Desk Awards, 61 Lortel Awards, 36 Outer Critics Circle Awards, 13 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 62 AUDELCO Awards, 6 Antonyo Awards, and 6 Pulitzer Prizes. Cover photo by Steve Brown