Personal Giving Stories

Elaine Rosen would be hard pressed to request special attention as a patron of the CSO. And yet, to those who know Elaine, her involvement with the CSO is both extensive and impressive. A subscriber since the beginning of the Solti-Guilini era at Orchestra Hall in 1976, she has also been a steady volunteer. A member of The Women's Association, she dates her Symphonython experience back to the very first one, and has been actively involved with many educational and community projects. Elaine views volunteering as a natural extension of her enjoyment of the Orchestra. "There is so much work to be done to make that wonderful music possible and it is so enjoyable to work with other volunteers."

Elaine has also made a planned gift to the CSO through a provision in her will. She comes from a family that always valued and enjoyed classical music and, over the years, appreciated the opportunity to interact closely with some members of the CSO. Having concluded a productive and satisfying career teaching biology in the City Colleges of Chicago, Elaine views a gift to the CSO as a sound investment in its future, a gift that will always be productive. "Many people, like me, are surprised to find that through hard work and good financial management they are in a position, in their retirement years, to provide important support to the charities they love. I want to make sure that my gift has an impact." She favors the CSO in her estate plan because she values its great performances, the informative nature of its programs, its commitment to music education for all Chicago, the dedication of its staff, and the fun of social gatherings at Symphony Center which bring together members of the Theodore Thomas Society. "Quite simply, I enjoy feeling very much a part of the CSO family," observes Elaine.