Downtown Sounds

May 6, 2023

Overview

What does your neighborhood or town sound like? Many composers have written music about their favorite places, using melodies and rhythms to portray city streets and bustling neighborhoods. Join Chicago historian and social media star Shermann "Dilla" Thomas, conductor Scott Speck and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as they lead you on a journey around Chicago in a program featuring music by Ellington, Márquez, Tchaikovsky and more. Perfect for ages 5 and up!

View photos from this concert here.


Plan Your Day Downtown

Make an afternoon of your visit to Symphony Center with this easy-to-use guide, including parking and dining deals and fun postconcert activities.


Program
Selections from:
R. Strauss

Also sprach Zarathustra

Ibert

Suite symphonique

Ellington

Suite from The River

Traditional (arr. Nie)

Dance of the Golden Snake

Márquez

Danzón No. 2

Price

Symphony No. 1

Respighi

Fountains of Rome

Tchaikovsky

1812 Overture

Sponsors

Support for Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association programming for children and families is provided by Abbott Fund, Archer Daniels Midland Company, John D. and Leslie Henner Burns, John Hart and Carol Prins, Kinder Morgan, PNC, Megan and Steve Shebik, Michael and Linda Simon, the Walter and Caroline Sueske Charitable Trust and an anonymous family foundation.


Discover more on Experience CSO
Introducing children to classical music is a responsibility that Chicago-based conductor Scott Speck does not shoulder lightly: “For the CSO and for any orchestra, youth initiatives are the most important things they can do.” 
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Shermann "Dilla" Thomas, known as Chicago's TikTok historian, hopes his appearance at Symphony Center, his first, will help persuade kids and adults in the audience to return. “I’m sometimes shocked I’m on kids’ radar."
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In response to CSO for Kids video "May There Always Be Sunshine," local students and residents of senior centers are reflecting on what brings them joy and sharing their own wishes.
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