The need for effective audience development programs in the performing arts is felt more keenly today than ever before. Symphony orchestras have adopted new responsibilities and challenges created by diminishing public school music curricula in order to introduce their communities to classical music. In this climate, with overall ticket sales facing new challenges, it is essential, now more than ever, for the CSO to give priority to programs designed to attract new audience members and further entice existing ones.

Beyond the Score® is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) dynamic three-concert series that opens the door to the symphonic repertoire for first-time concertgoers and encourages an active, more fulfilling way of listening for seasoned audiences. Beyond the Score® is rooted in live theater, but is fundamentally a concert experience leading the listener to a deeper connection to the music, which is performed in its entirety during the second half of the program. Beyond the Score® acts an entry point for new CSO patrons – more than 1,300 since the program’s inception. Of those new patrons, a remarkable 37% have gone on to purchase tickets to other CSO programs.

Beyond the Score® attracts a healthy mix of seasoned concertgoers, students, and those wanting to understand and learn more about specific works. It is a priority of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to invest its resources in far-reaching audience development initiatives and to share these programs with others.

What Beyond the Score® offerings are available?

Beyond the Score® productions are currently available for Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin, Dvořák Symphony No. 9, Holst's The Planets, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27, Ravel/Mussorgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4, Sibelius Symphony No. 5, Strauss' Ein Heldenleben, Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Available in Fall of 2010 will be Debussy La Mer, Mahler Symphony No. 4, and Rachmaninov Isle of the Dead.

What conductors have participated in Beyond the Score®?

We are fortunate to have had world-class conductors participate in each of our existing Beyond the Score® productions. We are grateful to them for their collaborative spirit and utmost support in each Beyond the Score® production. Conductors who are familiar with our work include: Pierre Boulez, Mark Elder, Daniel Harding, Jeffrey Kahane, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. In the 2007-2008 season Harry Bicket, Andrey Boreyko, Charles Dutoit, Alan Gilbert, and Alexander Polianichko. will each collaborate in one Beyond the Score® production.

What does the CSO provide?

We will provide all program content, including scripts (for orchestra as well as artistic and operations personnel), moving and still images, orchestra parts for excerpts based on CSO parts, and cue books. We will also ensure that the proper rights for use of content including images and script is secured. We can also provide all the necessary personnel.

What do I have to provide in order to present Beyond the Score®?

Most importantly you will be required to provide an orchestra and conductor. We would be happy to guide your decision in conductor, soloist and/or additional musicians; however, we are also amenable to collaborating with your artists of choice. We are able to provide the rest of the necessary personnel for each production, although it may also be possible to utilize locally qualified people to take on some of these additional roles.

In order to ensure performances that meet your standards of excellence and artistic quality, we request an orchestra rehearsal minimum of two and one-half hours as close to the actual performance as possible. We will also need ample production rehearsal time on the venue stage. Each Beyond the Score® production is complex and requires specific technical sound, lighting and projection equipment. We request that the presenter meet these needs.

How much does Beyond the Score® cost to present?

There is a flat license fee to the CSO which includes the additional payment needed to cover any image licenses associated with additional performances as well as program content, scripts, parts (based on CSO markings), travel and performance fees for the actors, projectionist, stage manager, and increased operational and technical requirements which vary from show to show. Many of these costs are variable depending on your location and access to requirements that might otherwise need to be transported from Chicago. We will work with each presenter in order to ensure the most cost-effective method in bringing Beyond the Score® to your audience.

Do I have to use the name "Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Beyond the Score®"?

Beyond the Score® is a registered trademark of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and we ask that the name is always used in the promotion of your production. However, this does not preclude your presentation from being presented under the banner of another series that you may already have in place.

Can I modify the Beyond the Score® production for our presentation?

We retain the right to approve any and all modifications to the programs. While we are open to modifying productions to suit individual needs, please understand that the coordination between text and visuals is inextricably linked. Any significant edits would require our approval in revising the entire production at considerable additional expense.

What other Beyond the Score® resources are available? We can provide at additional cost program notes and marketing/publicity materials that have been used for past performances.

How do I get started?

For more information or to begin discussions on how Beyond the Score® might be a part of your upcoming season, please contact Emily Master at (312) 294-3454 or MasterE@cso.org.