Once Upon a Symphony Social Narrative

I am going to see a Once Upon a Symphony at Symphony Center!

There are a few things I can do to get ready for my visit. I can:

Listen to the music that the musicians will be playing.

I can listen to a playlist of the music on each concert’s webpage.

I can find a list of concerts at CSO for Kids homepage.

Read the story that the artists will be performing.

I can find the story at my library or an online bookstore.

Learn “Let’s Go to the CSO!” so I can sing along at the concert.

I can watch “Let’s Go to the CSO!” on CSOtv.

Symphony Center is in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue.

Some ways to get to Symphony Center are by bus, car or train.

I can learn more about ways to get to and from Symphony Center at Parking and Transit.

The concert I am attending is in Buntrock Hall, which is inside Symphony Center.

The best way to get to Buntrock Hall is through the Symphony Center entrance at 67 East Adams Street.

To enter Symphony Center from Adams Street, I will go through the doors under the Symphony Store sign.

When I enter, I will see a security desk where a person in uniform will be sitting or standing.

Then, I will walk straight to the Rotunda. The Rotunda is the large, round room with the spiral staircase.

An usher will be at the bottom of the staircase to help me find where I need to go.

I will know who the ushers are because they will be wearing red or black jackets and nametags.

I can also get to Buntrock Hall through the doors at 220 South Michigan Avenue.

Once I enter the doors on Michigan Avenue, I will be in the Michigan Avenue lobby.

To get to Buntrock Hall, I will make my way down the hallway to the right of the Box Office.

In the middle of this long hallway, the floor goes downhill a little.

I can hold onto a railing if I want extra support.

The concert will start at 10:00 or 11:45 in the morning.

My ticket will show which concert I am going to attend.

I will need a ticket to attend the concert. My ticket will either be digital or paper.

If my ticket is digital, my companion or I will pull up my ticket on a phone.

An usher can help me find my ticket on my or my companion’s phone.

If my ticket is paper, my companion or I will pick up my ticket at the Box Office in the Michigan Avenue lobby.

An usher can help me find the Box Office.

I will wait in line to enter Buntrock Hall with the other people seeing the concert.

I will wait outside the entrance to Buntrock Hall.

I can sit at any table outside Buntrock Hall while I wait.

An usher will let me know when it’s time to go in.

When it’s time to enter Buntrock Hall, an usher will scan my ticket.

If I get to the concert after it has started, an usher will help me enter quietly.

Buntrock Hall is a big room with a high ceiling.

There is a stage where the artists will perform.

There will be decorations that will help tell the story.

When I enter Buntrock Hall, the lights will be all the way on.

The lights will dim right before the concert starts.

I can sit on a cushioned mat on the floor or on a bench.

I can sit wherever I am comfortable.

The concert will start with a sing-along of “Let’s Go to the CSO!”

The video will play on a big screen above the stage.

The concert will include moments where I can sing, dance and move along with the artists.

But, I do not have to participate if I don’t want to.

If I feel uncomfortable during the concert, I can leave Buntrock Hall with my companion.

If I leave the concert, I can come back when I feel ready.

The concert will last about 45 minutes.

After the concert ends, I will have a chance to meet a musician if I would like to.

If I need to use the restroom, I can use:

• The men’s or women’s restrooms near the Adams Street entrance.
• The men’s or women’s restrooms on the second floor of the Symphony Center Rotunda.
• The all-gender restroom on the third floor of the Symphony Center Rotunda.

If I need a changing station, I can use:

• The men’s or women’s restrooms near the Adams Street entrance.
• The all-gender restroom on the third floor of the Symphony Center Rotunda.

I can ask an usher to help me find the nearest restroom that’s best for me.

If I have any more questions, my companion or I can:

Call or text a member of the Patron Services team at 312-294-3000.

• Email Patron Services.

Learn more at Plan Your Visit.