Backstage at the CSO
Backstage at the CSO: Stage Manager Chris Lewis
For more than 20 years, Chris Lewis has worked backstage at Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents concerts, as…
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…