CSO Latino Alliance members offer insights about their shared mission

In early 2024, we kicked off the year with a fantastic 10th-anniversary celebration of the CSO Latino Alliance. Shortly after this memorable event, at Instituto Cervantes, I took the opportunity to interview some Alliance members. These individuals are ones I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the past decade through the CSO Latino Alliance. I asked them about their motivations for joining the Alliance, the insights they’ve gained from their involvement and any notable impacts they have witnessed within the Chicago Symphony Orchestra organization and the Latino community.  

Furthermore, I asked for their perspectives on potential changes or advancements they envisioned for the CSO Latino Alliance. Their feedback represents a diverse sample of both recent and long-standing members. These individuals have actively participated in our events and are regular attendees of CSO concerts. Here are my questions, along with their respective answers:

Why did you join the CSO Latino Alliance?

Melynna Hakim Arreola-Quiroga, a young and active member, expressed that she was drawn to the “family environment and synergy” of the Grainger Ballroom after a Merry, Merry Chicago! concert. She emphasized that she aims to host rising professionals and college students at events that align with the CSO Latino Alliance’s mission.

Angélica Cano, a member for more than five years, shared her journey, expressing “at a young age, I was exposed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and experiencing the CSO as a child ignited a deep passion for classical music in me.” She joined the CSO L.A. Advisory Board with the aim of bringing classical music to her community, challenging the assumption that it’s exclusive to certain individuals. She believes that music is universal and wants others to experience the same joy she felt when stepping into the CSO audience many years ago. This sentiment reflects the belief among many Latinos that classical music isn’t necessarily inclusive.

Henry Johanet, a longtime member, reminisced about his introduction to the CSO Latino Alliance, stating “Ana Loida Rosario [a former co-chair] invited me to volunteer, and since I was already familiar with the orchestra’s reputation and had attended a few concerts before, I saw it as an opportunity to practice ‘applied learning’ by immersing myself in classical music and networking with professional peers.” His words reflect a sense of enthusiasm and dedication to both personal growth and the mission of the organization.

Marlén Mendoza became involved after attending Noche Navideña in 2023; she was drawn to the CSO Latino Alliance by her passion for music that transcends boundaries, cultures and languages. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “Outside of love, music is the one frequency that brings people from all walks of life together to feel, connect and appreciate the magic of human creativity.” Her words underscore the universal power of music to unite individuals across diverse backgrounds. Having discovered the CSO Latino Alliance only a month before Noche Navideña, she now eagerly anticipates being part of a community that brings Latinos to Symphony Center to enjoy timeless music, forge new connections and collectively share enriching experiences.

Emmanuel (“Manny”) Almonte, a recent transplant to Chicago for work, was motivated to join the CSO Latino Alliance due to his desire to support and engage with the Latino community in the classical-music sphere. “Promoting accessibility and visibility within the community is what keeps me motivated with the work that we do,” he said, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and representation within the cultural landscape.

Jesús Del Toro, a founding member of the CSO Latino Alliance, said he joined the group because of his “love for classical music and a deep interest to promote Latin American composers and musicians and to open the knowledge and experience of them to the Latino community.” His commitment highlights the importance of cultural representation and the celebration of diverse musical traditions within the classical-music sphere.

Juan Solana, a longstanding member of the CSO Latino Alliance, echoed Del Toro’s sentiment about his “love for classical music” and emphasizes the importance of “friendship and contributing to CSO endeavors.” His dedication to both the art form and the community aspect of the alliance underscores the multifaceted benefits of membership.

Ricardo Sequeira, a regular attendee of CSO Latino Alliance events for more than five years, appreciates classical music as a means of networking within the Latino community. He finds it “a great way to network with other Latinos in a great setting and also getting tickets at a discount,” highlighting the social and cultural benefits of participating in the Alliance’s activities.

In reflecting on the diverse experiences and motivations shared by CSO Latino Alliance members, it is evident that the group serves as a catalyst for meaningful connections and shared passion for classical music within the Latino community. Melynna’s desire to create a welcoming environment for rising professionals and students highlights the Alliance’s role in fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Angélica’s poignant journey from her upbringing to her mission of making classical music accessible resonates with the transformative power of music and the Alliance’s mission to break down barriers.

Henry’s enthusiasm for “applied learning” underscores the Alliance’s capacity to provide valuable networking opportunities and professional development. Marléne’s discovery of the Alliance underscores its potential to expand the reach of classical music and create spaces for cultural exchange. Manny’s recognition of the importance of community engagement underscores the Alliance’s commitment to promoting accessibility and visibility. Finally, Jesús’ and Juan’s dedication to promoting Latin American composers underscores the Alliance’s role in celebrating diverse musical traditions. To me, these testimonies affirm the CSO Latino Alliance’s vital role in fostering inclusivity, promoting cultural exchange and enriching the classical-music landscape for generations to come.

The next question was: What key insights or lessons have you gained from your involvement in the CSO Latino Alliance?

The answers to this question show how the over the past decade, the CSO Latino Alliance has worked diligently to engage and diversify the audience at Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts. Marléne highlighted the CSO’s goal of nurturing a welcoming community for Latinos to explore classical music.

Melynna emphasized the Alliance’s focus on cultural identity, hospitality and familial values, bringing individuals from diverse backgrounds together to enjoy timeless music. Henry believes the Alliance can play a crucial role in promoting Latin American music and diversifying musical genres.

Manny reflected on the success of the 10th-anniversary event and the group’s involvement with professional organizations to enhance visibility. Jesús noted the relevance of pre-concert events after the post-COVID lockdown and emphasized the importance of cultivating relationships with key individuals and institutions.

Juan observed steady progress over the years, particularly in the growing Hispanic audience and increased participation of new generations on the board. Lastly, Ricardo highlighted the opportunity to listen to great compositions and interact with artists on a personal level, underscoring the Alliance’s impact in fostering musical appreciation and connections within the community.

Next, they were asked if they could share any notable impacts or successes the Latino Alliance has achieved within the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or the Latino community.

According to a few members, the success of the CSO Latino Alliance is exemplified by the performances of the quartet made up of young Latino artists from the Civic Orchestra and the Brenden Perez Trio at the 10th-anniversary celebration, showcasing classical Latin pieces and the fusion of classical instruments and contemporary music, symbolizing the emergence of young Latino artists.

Melynna remarked on the vibrant Latino artist community in Chicago, while Angélica emphasized the significance of making CSO L.A. events financially accessible, noting their substantial impact. Henry advocated for more effective outreach and education efforts, stressing the importance of new members committing to attending multiple concerts.

Marlén celebrated the Alliance’s 10-year milestone, highlighting opportunities for exposure and engagement for young Latinos. Manny reflected on the success of the anniversary event and the Alliance’s involvement with professional organizations, contributing to increased interest. Jesús highlighted the significance of successful anniversary events post-COVID, emphasizing the importance of cultivating relationships with key stakeholders.

Juan noted the steady progress and growing Hispanic audience participation, particularly on the board. Finally, Ricardo commended the Alliance for attracting more Latinos with affordably priced tickets and advocated for continued exposure through various events and organizations.

Lastly, they were asked to look ahead at what changes or developments would they like to see within the CSO Latino Alliance or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as we engage more Latinos?

Melynna advocates for the CSO Latino Alliance to partner with Hispanic serving institutions to involve more young college professionals in classical music, emphasizing the need for broader representation beyond DePaul University students. Angélica suggests collaborating with other Chicago Latino businesses and nonprofits, emphasizing the importance of input in program development for diversity and inclusion efforts. Henry calls for more effective outreach and education beyond promotion, stressing the importance of member commitment to multiple concert dates annually.

Marlén expresses a personal preference for more programs featuring classical guitar. Manny emphasizes the importance of member retention and proposes implementing an onboarding process for continuity. Jesús highlights the need for inclusion of more music from Latin American composers in regular concert seasons to attract diverse constituencies.

Juan underscores the importance of musical education and programming showcasing Hispanic composers’ contributions, as well as consistent efforts in audience building and engagement through strategic CRM approaches. Ricardo appreciates the value of “Nuestras noches” programming annually to attract more attendees and spread awareness of the Latino Alliance to new audiences.

This is not meant to provide a comprehensive analysis of opinions, but rather to offer a selected sample of insights from both longstanding active members and new ones, showcasing their experiences with the CSO Latino Alliance. While these responses may not represent the views of all members, they offer a glimpse into the collective mindset. These responses come from a diverse group of members and demonstrate the progress and accomplishments of the CSO Latino Alliance, while also underscoring its potential for further advancement.

Almost 10 years ago, I had delved into the realm of classical music and orchestras, prompted by my earlier research for the inception of the CSO Latino Alliance. During that exploration, I came across several articles outlining various trends. Curious to see if there were any new developments, I revisited the topic a year ago and found a 2022 study highlighting the disparity between orchestras and potential classical music enthusiasts, as revealed by the “Classical Music Consumer Segmentation Study: How Americans Relate to Classical Music and Their Local Orchestras” presented by 15 American orchestras and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Despite a notable interest in classical music among the population, nonetheless, the study underscores the importance for orchestras to enhance their understanding of and engagement with their potential audience, aiming to bridge this gap and boost concert attendance.

One key finding from the study is that people attend orchestra concerts for reasons beyond just the music. This is evident among CSO Latino Alliance attendees. They seek community, networking and a sense of belonging. Over the past 10 years, we have successfully built a Latino community at the CSO and beyond. I can personally attest to this by the friendships I have formed during this time. I am proud to play a role in engaging Latinos in this sphere. It’s clear that the CSO and the Latino Alliance are making a positive impact.