23/24 CSO African American Network

African American Network

The CSO African American Network invites you to its 2023/24 Season, celebrating Black composers, conductors and performers across genres including classical, jazz, new music and gospel. This season, the African American Network hosts celebrations, artist meet-and-greets and networking events. 


Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7

Montgomery and BlacknificentSunday, December 3
3:00 “The Modern Artist Collective” Panel
         Presented by Chicago Humanities and hosted by LaRob K. Rafael
4:30 Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7
6:00 Afterparty

Savor the bold and unexpected. Join AAN members for a preconcert panel discussion followed by the first MusicNOW concert of the 2023/24 Season. The concert, curated by CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery, illuminates works by a dynamic collective of Black composers, the Blacknificent 7. Following the concert, enjoy a casual afterparty and meet-and-greet with the artists hosted by the AAN.

Please note: this concert program includes content intended for mature audiences.

Specially priced AAN tickets start at $25 (concert + events) with promo code AANEVENTS.

Your pricing will be adjusted after you have added your seats to the order. AAN (concert + events) tickets are $25, with Box seating available for $35.

Order online or call Patron Services at 312-294-3000. Full season AAN packages are also available (see below). Your concert ticket is your RSVP to the reception and is required for admittance.


2023/24 Season:

Join us for the following performances and African American Network receptions!

Purchase an AAN series subscription

Download the AAN 2023/24 season brochure


Membership and Information

Established in 2016, the African American Network (AAN) has grown to include more than 5,000 members and presents an annual series of curated and hosted programs to create connections and conversation through music.

The mission of the CSOA’s African American Network aims to engage Chicago’s culturally rich African American community through the sharing and exchanging of unforgettable musical experiences while building relationships for generations to come.

The AAN seeks to serve and encourage individuals, families, educators, students, musicians, composers and businesses to discover and experience the timeless beauty of music.

To learn more how you can be involved, contact the African American Network or call 312-294-3000.

Right: Sheila Jones, founder of the AAN

African American Network members receive specially priced tickets for $40 or less to many concerts throughout the season!

Step 1: Visit the calendar listing for performances that have the African American Network ticket offer available. (Promo code “AAN” will automatically be activated. African American Network tickets usually become available 1-4 weeks ahead of the concert date with newly eligible concerts typically added on Thursday afternoons.)

Step 2: Choose your preferred concert. All seats available with this special offer will display on the seat map. Select your seats and add to your order.

Step 3: Proceed through the checkout process. Tickets will be delivered by email, unless you select another delivery method. Additional fees may apply for other delivery methods.

Step 4: Attend the concert!

AAN Event Photos