CSO for Kids programs showcase the magical world of symphonic music

CSO for Kids programming consists of live concerts and digital offerings that immerse listeners in the magical world of symphonic music. The 2024-25 Season begins in October with the first of three Family Matinee programs that showcase orchestral masterworks and incorporate theater, dance and multimedia to enhance audience engagement with the music.

Additional school performances, which offer special access and bus transportation for Chicago Public Schools students, are also available, and annually bring more than 20,000 school children to Symphony Center. The Once Upon a Symphony series, which offers two story-inspired programs, opens in December.

The newest CSO for Kids digital release — “The Rhythm of the Rain” — is part of a series of free, on-demand online videos that invite young audiences to experience music and children’s books. CSO for Kids programming is supported by the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO.

More information about CSO for Kids concert programming and digital content is available at cso.org. 

CSO for Kids

Family Matinee concerts presented at two Saturday performances (11 a.m. or 12:45 p.m.) and are perfect for families with children ages 5-12. These hourlong performances are in historic Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago and feature fun and engaging kid-friendly programs performed by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Philharmonia Fantastique, Oct. 19
Follow a magical sprite as it takes audiences inside musical instruments and shows how they work together as an orchestra. Created by former CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence Mason Bates and an Oscar-winning creative team, this film with live music builds to a spectacular finale. The program features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eric Jacobsen, music director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

“The Music of Our Emotions,” March 8
Canadian conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser leads CSO members in a program featuring the music of Tchaikovsky. It highlights the composer’s courageous journey and demonstrates how music helps us express our emotions.

“Community Pride,” May 3
Join guest conductor Thomas Wilkins and CSO members for a concert that pairs well-known classics with contemporary masterpieces to demonstrate the joy, power and beauty of coming together in the service of something bigger than oneself. The program features a performance by the winner of the 2024 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition, Jaden Teague-Núñez on steelpan.

CSO for Kids School Concerts

Student groups in grades K-5 are invited to participate in performances of CSO for Kids. Philharmonia Fantastique will be presented for students on Thursday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18; “The Music of Our Emotions” on Friday, March 7 and “Community Pride” on Friday, May 2, 2025. School concerts occur at 10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Free tickets and transportation are provided to CPS schools attending these performances. To complete a school group reservation form online, visit cso.org, or call the Education Concerts Hotline at (312) 294-3076 during regular business hours for more information.

Once Upon a Symphony

Once Upon a Symphony is the CSO’s family-friendly, weekend matinee concert series for audience members ages 3-5. The series is presented in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center, and mixes musical selections, performed by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with storytelling, sets, costumes and multimedia elements to create a captivating introduction to live music for children.

“The Little Red Hen” (Dec. 7 | Jan. 11 | Feb. 1)
A cow, horse and pig all turn down the Little Red Hen’s requests for help planting wheat, grinding flour and baking bread — and are disappointed when the hen eats the delicious bread all by herself. Featuring musical portraits of animals, this classic children’s tale explores the importance of working together as a community. The program features music performed by CSO musicians and a master storyteller, with sets, costumes and images created by Chicago Children’s Theatre.

“Abiyoyo” (April 5 | April 19 | May 10)
In this South African folk tale adapted by singer-songwriter Pete Seeger, a boy and his father are banished from their town for making mischief. They are welcomed back when they find a way to make a monster named Abiyoyo disappear. This redemptive story features music performed by CSO members and a master storyteller, along with sets, costumes and images created by Chicago Children’s Theatre.

In addition to the Saturday family performances of Once Upon a Symphony, schools are invited to participate in the CSO for Kids School Concerts program: Once Upon a Symphony for Pre-K. This program introduces preschool students to the excitement and wonder of classical music with concerts that are designed especially for children and performed by CSO members. Free tickets and transportation are provided to CPS students attending Once Upon a Symphony for Pre-K performances on select Mondays this season and may be reserved at cso.org.

“The Little Red Hen” will be performed for students on Monday, Dec. 9 and Monday, Feb. 3, and “Abiyoyo” will be performed for students on Monday, April 7, and Monday, April 21. Performance times on each date are at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.

CSO for Kids Digital

The CSO for Kids Digital series presents free, educational videos that support the social and emotional needs of children. Each video is based on a popular children’s book and features classical music performed by CSO musicians, with animation inspired by the book’s illustrations. Accompanying the videos are preparatory guides that offer activities and resources for teachers and parents.

The latest digital release, “The Rhythm of the Rain,” is the animated story about a boy’s adventure through the water cycle. The story, written by Grahame Baker-Smith, is narrated by CSO bassoon Miles Maner and features the CSO performing Smetana’s The Moldau.

CSO for Kids videos are available for free, on-demand viewing on YouTube.