Backstage at the CSO
Backstage at the CSO: Senior Content Editor Gerald Virgil
For more than 20 years, Gerald Virgil has played a key role in producing the high-quality program books read by…
Backstage at the CSO: Chorus Manager Carolyn Stoner
The Chicago Symphony Chorus was founded in the 1957-58 season, after sixth music director Fritz Reiner had invited Margaret Hillis…
Backstage at the CSO: Manager of School & Family Programs Katy Clusen
Every season, the Negaunee Music Institute connects people across Chicago and around the world to the musical resources of the…
Backstage at the CSO: Director of Operations Heidi Lukas
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association presents about 400 concerts and events in a typical season. In addition, the Chicago Symphony…
CSO musicians ‘string’ the praises of their luthiers
Centuries-old stringed instruments by masters such as Antonio Stradivari and Giovanni Battista Guadagnini are both beautiful art objects and complex…
This luthier works in homage to a past master of his art
At first following in the footsteps of his father, a member of the Shanghai Philharmonic, Chunyee Lu seemed destined for…
Local luthier helps to keep CSO instruments in top condition
John Becker has been a luthier — a craftsman of stringed-instruments — for more than four decades. From his Chicago…
Backstage at the CSO: Communications/PR Manager Dana Navarro
A lifelong love of music and a natural talent for writing set Dana Navarro on a career path toward her…
Backstage at the CSO: VIP Services Manager Robert Coad
With approximately 400 concerts and events each season, it’s no easy task to manage ticketing and customer service for the…
Making it all possible: CSO stage manager Kelly Kerins bids farewell
It’s mid-morning, and longtime CSO stage manager Kelly Kerins sits quietly in his backstage office at Symphony Center. In three…
In 1908 World Series, ‘Crowds in Orchestra Hall Shout Madly as Cubs Win’
In 1908, before Chicago had a Wrigley Field, baseball fans watched the Cubs win the World Series — at Orchestra…