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Shape Your Legacy

Discover how you can enhance and support the future of our Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Planned gifts allow you to support the CSO’s long-term fiscal stability and often provide financial benefits to you as well. Examples of planned gifts include a bequest in your will or trust, charitable gift annuities and naming the CSO as a beneficiary of your retirement fund.

All planned giving donors enjoy the benefits of membership in the Theodore Thomas Society, named in honor of the founding music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Through special activities and access to VIP Patron Services, the Theodore Thomas Society honors its members by enhancing their appreciation of music and their sense of belonging to the CSO family.

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Planned Giving FAQs
Read sample language and get our EIN for your documents.
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Theodore Thomas Society
All planned giving donors enjoy the benefits of membership in the Theodore Thomas Society.
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Meet Our Members
Read the stories of Theodore Thomas Society members who have made the CSO a part of their legacy.
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IRA Giving
Learn about supporting the CSO through your Individual Retirement Account.
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Planned Gift Calculator
Planned Gift Calculator
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Planned Giving Intention Form
Planned Giving Intention Form
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Impact of Your Planned Gift
500th Concert
On September 27, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association celebrates Riccardo Muti’s 500th performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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At just 24, Eric Lu has been hailed as ‘a poet of the keyboard’
"A veritable poet of the keyboard," young American pianist Eric Lu has been lauded as a successor to greats Murray Perahia and Radu Lupu. Of his rapidly accelerating career, he says, "I’d always dreamed of this. It’s what I wanted.”
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Nelson Mendoza reflects on a fulfilling season as a Civic Fellow
Throughout the 2021/22 Season, 13 Civic Fellows participated in educational workshops, partnerships with Chicago Public Schools, Notes for Peace songwriting sessions and independent projects.
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Negaunee Music Institute wraps up another season of stellar achievements
The CSO's Negaunee Music Institute presented more than 30 public concerts and events last season at Symphony Center and throughout the community. Here's a look back at some of the highlights.  
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Musical America honors CSO affiliates Hilary Hahn and Jessie Montgomery
Hilary Hahn and Jessie Montgomery, who hold titled positions with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, have received top honors from Musical America: Hahn is Artist of the Year, while Montgomery is Composer of the Year.
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Conductor Xian Zhang sees podium prospects improving for women
Xian Zhang, music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, believes opportunities are opening up for women conductors: “I think times are changing, and the public now has a more open view.”
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Learn More

To learn more about making a planned gift to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or becoming a member of the Theodore Thomas Society:

For More Information

We would be happy to help you understand the options available and the ways to go about setting up a plan that is just right for you. Contact a member of our team to help answer any questions you might have.

Contact Planned Giving

Al Andreychuk
Director, Endowment Gifts and Planned Giving
312-294-3150

Brian Nelson
Manager, Endowment Gifts and Planned Giving
312-294-3192

220 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60604