Sunday, March 15, 2026
Symphony Center
Celebrate the inspirational music education and community engagement programs of the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute, which reach more than 200,000 people in Chicago and around the world annually. From the Percussion Scholarship Program — which provides weekly instruction and intensive training to students free of charge — to the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, which prepares talented early-career musicians for orchestral careers, IMPACT spotlights all the lives transformed by the power of music.
Join us in making an impact by ordering event packages or sponsoring IMPACT. Your contributions grant access to reserved seating and preconcert and postconcert festivities, in addition to supporting the CSO’s industry-leading efforts to educate audiences, train young musicians and serve diverse communities.
Can’t attend, but still want to support education and community programs? Make a gift to IMPACT today.
Schedule for the evening
5:30 PM: Champagne Toast — Symphony Center’s Forte event space
Start the evening with a champagne toast to celebrate the Negaunee Music Institute’s impact.
6:30 PM: Concert — Orchestra Hall
Be inspired by the musicians who are learning, growing and serving Chicago through the programs produced by the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy a showcase of extraordinary performances by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, musicians from the CSO, Percussion Scholarship Program students and more.
8:00 PM: Celebration Dinner — Buntrock Hall
Connect with performers and fellow advocates over dinner as Life Trustee Robert Kohl is recognized for his remarkable support and leadership of the CSOA’s education and community programs.
IMPACT 2025
2026 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation
Robert A. Kohl & Clark D. Pellett
The Negaunee Foundation
Aaron & Alicia Oberman
Margo & Michael Oberman
Sandra & Earl Rusnak, Jr.†
Steven & Megan Shebik
Paul & Lisa Wiggin
Zell Family Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Betsy Berry, Lizbeth Branch, Judy Feldman, Felisa Kaplan & Carol Sonnenschein
John D. & Leslie Henner Burns
King & Spalding
Northern Trust
Gene & Jean Stark
Laura & Terrence Truax
Mr. Christopher D. Tower & Mr. Robert Celio Jr.
Paul S. Watford & Brenda Darrell
Event Supporters
Anonymous
John & Dora Aalbregtse
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Alexander
Mrs. Ila Bahuguna-Mehta and Mr. Neil Mehta
Merrill & Judith Blau
Ann Blickensderfer
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Boelter
Mr. & Mrs. Laurence O. Booth
Susan Bridge
Ms. Rosalind Britton
Mr. Dennis J. Carlin
Ms. Juli Crabtree
Ms. Patricia Cox
Mrs. Judy Das Gupta
Richard E. Doonan
Mimi Duginger
Mr. Clinton J. Ecker and Ms. Jacqui Cheng
Matthew Fry
James Ginsburg & Patrice Michaels
Sarah Good and Mark Mosley
Mary Lee & Mike Gosz
Dale Hedding
Ms. Anna Hertsberg
Ms. Nancy L. Hess
William & Colette Rodon Hornof
Merle Jacob
Ansuk Jeong
Elizabeth Jia
Ms. Anne M. Kern
Barbara Kimble & Ken Henning
Ms. Mirjana Martich and Mr. Zoran Lazarevic
Valerie V. Mayuga, M.D.
Judy & Scott McCue
Stephen & Rumi Morales
Mark Mosley
Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Murley
Victoria Nee
Susan Noel
Hon. Marian E. Perkins, Circuit Court Judge of Cook County
Melissa & Joe Root
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Ryan
Ms. Abigail Saunders
Rahul Saxena & Mi Yeon Katz
Ms. Courtney Shea
Ms. Kim M. Shepherd
Larry Simpson
Kevin, Tracy, Ginger & Lauren Stanciel
Ben Stewart & Stefanie McCormack
Marylou Witz
Ms. Janice Young
Giff Zimmerman and Jennifer Christensen
2026 IMPACT Host Committee
Co-chairs
Matthew Fry, Overture Council
Margo Oberman, League & NMI Board
Paul S. Watford, CSOA Board of Trustees & African American Network
Members
Ramiro J. Atristaín-Carrión, Latino Alliance
Betsy Berry, League & Women’s Board
Liz Branch, League & Women’s Board
Sue Bridge, League
Chuck Emmons, Governing Members & NMI Board
Pedro Guerrero, Latino Alliance
Rosalind Jackson, African American Network & League
Ansuk Jeong, League
Valerie Mayuga, Overture Council
Leah McGregory, African American Network
Sharon Mitchell, League
Lenese Reynolds, African American Network
Melissa Root, CSOA Board of Trustees
Sandy Rusnak, Women’s Board
Juan B. Solana, Latino Alliance & League
Tracy Stanciel, African American Network & League