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Soundpost — A preconcert series that explores the innovative side of classical music

Explore another side of Symphony Center through Soundpost, the Overture Council’s preconcert series that examines music’s cutting edge.

Soundpost is a preconcert live event that explores the ever-evolving medium of music — highlighting artists, individuals and companies who challenge the ways in which we interact, experience and view classical music. Past events include a partnership with video game composers to understand non-linear classical music composition and the future of video game music within the traditional classical music canon; a conversation with Lady Gaga’s songwriter/composer-collaborator Dino Zisis about the future of composition through technological innovations, and a multimedia exploration with Mexican artist and composer Ricardo Mondragon, whose work explores harmonic content, frequency information, waveform generation, modulation, color and light.

The goal of Soundpost is to expand the reach of CSO programming by focusing on the next generation of classical music audiences, those ages 21-45. Soundpost events attract a wide spectrum of attendees, from young professionals who may be unfamiliar with the CSO to avid symphony patrons. Soundpost aims to creatively modernize the way in which the CSO interacts with its audience. Vibrations, the theme of Soundpost's 2022/2023 Season, explores how the experience of sound and energy changes as the world shifts back from a prolonged virtual life to in-person concerts and interactions.

Soundpost: abridged

Based on the Soundpost concept but in a condensed format, Soundpost: abridged is a short, sweet and interactive accompaniment to the original series, following an overarching theme across the season. What’s more, Overture Council members are encouraged to bring along friends to meet and network, all ahead of the concert that evening!

Upcoming Events

The Overture Council is currently working on the Soundpost schedule in coordination with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's 2023/24 Season.

Be sure to check back in as we announce our future event dates.

Previous Events

Thursday, March 30, 2023, 5:30 p.m. at Buntrock Hall (Symphony Center)
Soundpost: Remixing Transit | Found Sounds with Rachel Steele

Photo Gallery

Thursday, January 26, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Symphony Center
Soundpost: Restorative Resonance | An Immersive Sound Experience with Davin Youngs

When was the last time you had an experience with music that penetrated deeper than your ears? One that resonated through your soul and transported you to another place without leaving your seat.

Join singer and sound healing artist Davin Youngs on the stage of Orchestra Hall for an immersive sonic experience that will invite you to do just that… become sound.

Blending ancient and contemporary tools, Davin will use his voice, electronic looping devices, crystal-singing bowls, tuning forks and other overtone-emitting instruments to create a container of sound for healing and transformation.

Photo Gallery

Saturday, June 11, 2022, 5:45 p.m. at Buntrock Hall (Symphony Center)
Soundpost: algoRYTHMS | How automation, innovation and computing will shape the future of sound

What happens when the way we produce and understand sound changes?

Technology is constantly evolving, and because of it, how we understand one another and the world also has to evolve alongside it. At Soundpost: AlgoRHYTHMS, Visda Goudarzi, assistant professor of audio arts and acoustics at Columbia College Chicago, will walk us through how technology is being used as a tool to push the boundaries of sound by producing not only novel sounds but also innovative works of music. We’ll find out how the ability to create previously impossible sounds and the capacity to apply automation technologies to composing and performing opens an entirely new realm of exploration in the pursuit of music.