Chicago Symphony Orchestra

I visited the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the first time today.
I chaperoned 36 seniors to one of the CSO’s ‘open rehearsals.’ What a great way to experience the orchestra! I believe you must be invited to an open rehearsal; I don’t think these events are open to the general public. My group is a non-​profit, so I believe that’s how we were able to get tickets.
If you want to see the entire orchestra, get balcony seats or sit on the 1^st and 2^nd floors. Great views from the 1^st floor and I thought the acoustics were great. Music would sound even better when the entire hall is full.
Two of my guests had canes and decided to climb the stairs rather than wait for the elevator. If you have any sort of physical limitations I recommend arriving as early as possible and sitting on the main floor. The stairs were also a challenge for a number of my guests; all observations I will take into consideration the next time we visit
Personally, I’m not a symphony-​goer. I was thankful to have the opportunity to see this beautiful venue in person, though.
Staff and ushers are very friendly and helpful.
Everyone in my group had a memorable experience and would love to return again soon.

If you get the opportunity to visit the Symphony, then go! This is not only a wonderful space, but it also provides the most amazing musical performances. No matter where you sit you will have a great view of the stage as well as amazing sound.

Great activity for a miserably cold day. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the «Big Five» American orchestras. One negative, people won’t really dress up much. but that’s about personal choice.

I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid and not much has changed. The place is beautiful and the musicians who perform here are usually very good. The acoustics are great, but it does change depending on where you are sitting in the room. Tickets are easy to get, although they can get pricey sometimes. Make sure to grab some of the provided cough drops if you’re sick because coughing during a performance is quite frowned upon!

The CSO is something that is often passed over even by locals, but it is really quite remarkeable. Tickets are easy to get and the hall is one of the best I’ve been to.
The best acoustic spots actually are in the back. Being in the front will for sure impress your friends, but to fully enjoy the performance, do some research on the best spots.
Overall, I really do enjoy the performances, but I no longer attend because I hate being couped up for that long wearing anything but sweatpants. Come by if you are a fan of great classical musical, but don’t expect non-​audiophiles to be blown away.

I gave money to Chicago Symphony about 2 years ago and made it clear this was a one time donation. They have called me at least 20 times since then asking for more money. They just called me again at work. I have repeatedly told them to remove me from the Do Not Call list.
Even political campaigns don’t treat people this badly. Ridiculous!!!

MINUS one star update. Maybe not completely World Class.
I still love the CSO and have multiple subscriptions but my issue is with the Overly Aggressive Fund Raising calls I have received. I don’t want to be called at home and I don’t want to have to tell you twice. Enthusiastic volunteers? seemed stunned when I have to remind them again that I have asked to NOT be called about fund raising disguised in a lame script thanking me for being a subscriber.
And it has recently gotten worse. I am starting to receive music related junk mail from piano stores for example, leading me to believe that the CSO is selling our mail lists.
Not classy at all CSO. Maybe they should put advertising on Muti’s butt?
Also there has been an increase in «restricted» concerts that subscribers cannot trade their tickets for. A really bad example is the Sunday ³⁄₂₀ Masters of Percussion. That is a very specialized show and it is going to be very thinly attended. Not being able to trade into that «unpopular» and undersubscribed shows as a subscriber makes me question subscribing again next year. It’s getting too hard to swap your tickets around and you get locked in AS a subscriber unable to trade for something you want or something that is not «restricted».
Get it together CSO, don’t alienate your subscriber base. There’s a lot of good music in town.

Love. I’m not the biggest classical music fan I’ll admit but I’m a sucker for a grand space like this one and a lineage of great musicians like those that you will find here.
My son and I got tickets to see Sara McGlauchlin (sp?) and she was insanely good. I’ve never heard a more pure voice without the need for digital enhancement, etc.
The seating we had was the horseshoe style seating behind the orchestra and at first I thought it was going to be not so great and was quite surprised that it was actually good. The speakers for whomever may be singing are facing the crowd so that was the only drawback.
The space itself is just incredible with its attention to detail and the trim moldings giving it the old school feel while being warm and cozy.

I am sorry, but the extreme modern performance on Saturday night was boarder line! This can be film music for lord of the rings, but please do not charge anybody money or any time of their life with that stuff! I love classical music and I am always open for new stuff, but this was really bullocks! I am sorry!

I bought a package this year spent a lot of money and big mistake because telemarketers from here call me MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY from different numbers each time. I have blocked over 50 numbers all from CSO and I will never spend another dime there. There is no way to get off of this list. Way to harass your customers daily for month after month after month. I’m totally fed up and completely turned off by this experience and I bought 10 shows this year. Next year zero. This is TERRIBLE marketing !! And it’s my cell phone calls coming in all damn day at work. !! Awful
Update: they just called me again

We were lucky to stumble upon a «Beyond the Score» event, namely Brahms Symphony No. 3: Free but Happy on March 27^th. We ordered will call tickets online less than 24 hours before the event (there were still many good seats available at that time).
The Beyond the Score format for this performance was:
1) Part I: Multimedia presentation that provided visuals to illustrate the creative process Brahms used when composing this symphony. It also gave a sense of the events in his life at the time that shaped this composition. As the process was described, different portions of the symphony were performed by the talented musicians.
2) Intermission.
3) Part II: Uninterrupted presentation of all four movements of Brahms Symphony No. 3.
4) Q&A session with the conductor, the creative director and a moderator.
Every portion of this performance was flawlessly executed. It was an experience that was not only fascinating, but also awe-​inspiring and in some respects, life changing. I am so thrilled we found out about this concert!
And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we received a postcard in the mail thanking us for attending and concert and welcoming us back to see another CSO performance in the next two months at a10−20% discount.

I’d give the Welcome Yule! holiday performance we saw 5 stars, 6 if that were possible.
However the true cost of taking your children to see a holiday performance at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra comes after they put you on their marketing list. Since December we’ve endured a seemingly endless barrage of calls from the CSO directly and from resorts and tour companies that I strongly suspect purchased our marketing information from the CSO.
If you choose to go to the CSO (and you should) try to pay cash and stay as anonymous as possible!

Had a blast here, it was a great date night! Defiantly different and better then just going to a bar. The performance was good as well!

Lots of parking garages around the area so don’t worry about parking. The place itself is so beautiful. I always love going there. I wouldn’t purchase anything inside because a SMALL bottle size water was $ 3. But overall a great experience. Arrive early!

Magical. The only word I can find for the Chicago Symphony.
Freaking
MAGICAL.

The CSO is as good as an orchestra gets, but the staff at the CSO is just as amazing. I’m a single ticket subscriber, and every time I bring a friend or date along the ticket staff is always so accommodating, moving my seat and adding a second or third to a new section. I’m a bit picky about where I sit, and they’re all so understanding and offer options. I always buy additional tickets before the box office gets crazy with will call people, so that might help. I once asked to be moved because the person next to me kept muttering, and the lead usher made sure I got a better seat, even though I told him I’d take anything that was open. If you’re a ten-​seat subscriber, you get great rates throughout the year, no matter how popular the concert which is amazing.
I also love the other people who go. You get to know the people in your section over the years and always seem to meet people from out of the country coming just to see the CSO. I haven’t met many uppity people; we’re all just there to enjoy the music. No one cares what you’re wearing or what you do for a living, or if you know anything about music, but people will be rude to you if you talk while the symphony’s playing or opening candy, or reading a newspaper (seriously, someone thought it was ok to open a crinkly newspaper) No one paid to listen to a story about your grocery store run, and there’s nothing worse than listening to the orchestra during a great and moving piece of music and then hearing some idiot playing with a plastic bag 10 rows away.
If you go more than once a year, I recommend sitting in the terrace behind the orchestra. It’s a really different balance of sound, you get more insight into what the conductor’s doing, and you’re literally feet away. It’s great once or twice a year to sit back there. If you only go once, the upper balcony is cheap and has great sound and you can see all the action; the lower balcony is more expensive and even better if you can afford it.

Do not arrive late. Do not take photos. Do not sneeze, cough, or make any kind of noise during the performace. Honor this unspoken code & you will have a great time at the Symphony.
The CSO is amazing, and Symphony Center is a great venue. I’ve sat in the nosebleeds for a show, and I’ve had 2^nd row seats for a show. I personally prefer the nosebleeds because you can see everything (nothing makes me happier than watching the timpanist do his thang). Just be prepared to climb some steep steps on the way to your seat (there is an elevator to get you up there at least), and climb up to the 7^th floor if you need to go to the bathroom.
I really don’t think there is a bad seat to be had, so don’t worry about dropping tons of cash on a specific seat. I’m still wanting to try those seats that are above the stage, I’ll have to report back when I finally get to give those a shot.

The CSO is one of those Chicago things you have to experience (whether you’re a Chicagoan or a visitor). Not only is it in a beautiful concert hall, but the quality of the performances amazes me too. I saw a Christmas show and regular classical music performance and both were very good. Tickets can be rather affordable (if it’s not a popular show) – there are always obstructed view or last minute tickets. Go to the CSO to buy your tickets, it will save you the $ 5/​per ticket online convenience charge. Do get there early to get to your seats as it gets very crowded and performances do usually start right on time.
The CSO is one of the reasons Chicago has such great arts/​music culture. They definitely enrich the city and I love supporting them.

Do not arrive late. Seriously. Not even 2 minutes. You will be asked to wait in the ballroom for the first half (55 min) till intermission. Forget the extra time for your hair or makeup. Arrive early. Also the first row in the gallery on the sixth floor is short on the leg room but the view is fantastic.
You must visit here at least once if you are in Chicago. Make it a event for yourself. Dress up and enjoy the beautiful music as well as décor and architecture. The main theatre and ballroom are gorgeous. There are elevators as well as stairs.

Last night, 1÷25÷14, myself and a girlfriend went to see Chicago (the band) perform with the CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra). The concert was AMAZING! The CSO is a world class treasure right here in our own backyard.
Parking was directly across the street, in the South Underground garage and only $ 20 for the entire performance (actually until 5 am)
The facility has delightful architecture and the acoustics are phenomenal. I don’t think there is a «bad seat» in the house.
Hopefully I will be attending more performances of the CSO, now that I realize what a treasure we have here.

Robert Chen is my spirit animal. There, I said it. No, but seriously, I could sit and watch the concertmaster lead the orchestra all day long. Hell, I could watch the CSO perform all day and be perfectly content.
I have only seen the Chicago Symphony Orchestra play three times, two of which were day performances and one of which was an evening performance. I sat on the main level for all three performances, so I can’t speak to what it’s like to see the CSO from the upper three levels, but I HIGHLY recommend that you get a seat as close as you can to the stage if you can manage it. There is nothing quite like going to the symphony and being able to clearly see every last detail of the performance.
In fact, my favorite part of seeing the CSO perform is realizing that these aren’t immaculate, perfect robots, but real people with personalities and flaws. For example, when I saw «Tristan und Isolde» last month, the first desk of violinists both made almost imperceptible good-​natured «oops» faces when someone in the section slightly botched a run. I had noticed many of them practicing that particular run onstage before the performance began, and I thought, «Wow. The CSO is amazing, but everyone is only human and there can be error.» I also sat so closely that I could tell when the back of the cello section did not begin quite at the downbeat like the front of the cello section did a couple times.
Of course, sitting in the second row also afforded me the opportunity to see much more than small flaws. I’m a detail-​oriented person, so I appreciated noticing little things about the orchestra players: black Dockers pants from Kohls, a few red shoulder rests, black polka dot tights worn under pants, a long silver hair hanging from a chair. I also enjoyed the facial expressions of the players the most, like Mitsuko Uchida’s look of pure ecstasy as she plays a Mozart piano concerto, the orchestra’s stifled chuckles after the spring break crowd clapped after the first movement of Eine kleine Nachtmusik, the «Well, this is awkward» looks players exchanged after Uchida waited a few beats too long to reappear onstage after the intermission.
The Symphony Center is a great venue, too. In addition to the main level, there are three other levels and seating above the stage behind the orchestra. Beverages are served in ample supply, though I have never bought a drink here. The Grainger room on the second floor has a number of chairs and a large flatscreen TV that shows the live CSO performance. I assume that this section is for people who have to leave to go to the bathroom or who arrive late. There appeared to be free hot chocolate and coffee there, too, which is pretty cool.
There are no bathroom attendants, which I prefer, and there wasn’t any coat check that I saw. Rows are pretty close together (unless you are seated in the first three rows of the middle section on the main floor, which are wider for handicap accessibility), so be prepared to sit up, get out of the row, or have to shimmy past people to your seat. The audience tends to be on the elderly side, so don’t expect to get anywhere, like the bathroom, at a fast clip.
I haven’t seen Muti conduct yet, so I will definitely be back for many more performances!