Saturday, October 10, 2026
Symphony Ball is a benefit event that raises funds to support the multifaceted work of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, from industry-leading artistic programs to educational and community engagement initiatives that nurture tens of thousands of people in Chicago and around the world annually.
Schedule for the evening
5:30 PM: Preconcert celebration — Symphony Center
Open to gala general admission guests and ticketholders; includes the red carpet experience and prosecco toast.
5:30 PM: VIP reception — Symphony Center’s Forte Event Space
Reserved for VIP Experience patrons and event sponsors.
6:30 PM: Concert — Orchestra Hall
Celebrate the 2026/27 Season in grand fashion as Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä leads a musical journey to the opulent Babylon of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. The renowned baritone Thomas Hampson joins the CSO for this dramatic cantata, which Walton fills with lavish orchestral colors, mighty choruses and hints of jazz. The musical celebration begins with Stravinsky’s dazzling tale of puppets springing to life amid a fantastical Russian carnival.
Immediately after the concert, all gala patrons and sponsors enjoy dinner and festivities at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Transportation will be provided.
Cocktail attire
Individual Tickets
VIP Box Seating Experience — $5,000
- One Box Level seat
- Private preconcert reception
- Postconcert gala dinner
- CSO Principal Chair musician or Chicago Symphony Chorus member seated at your dinner table
- Name recognition in the concert program, on the webpage and in the gala booklet
VIP Experience — $2,500
- One Melk Main Floor or Fadim Lower Balcony seat
- Private preconcert reception
- Postconcert gala dinner
- Name recognition in the concert program, on the webpage and in the gala booklet
Gala General Admission — $1,500
- One Fadim Lower Balcony seat
- Postconcert gala dinner
- Name recognition in the gala booklet and on the webpage
Additional Support
Sponsorship for a CSO musician and one guest to attend the postconcert dinner — $1,500
Sponsorships
Exclusive Presenting Sponsor — $125,000
- 20 Box Level seats
- Private preconcert reception
- Two tables for 20 guests total at the postconcert gala dinner
- CSO Principal Chair musician or Chorus member seated at your dinner table
- Name/logo recognition in the concert program, on the webpage, in the gala booklet and on signage
- Recognition in the concert and dinner remarks
Presenting Sponsor — $100,000
- 20 Box Level seats
- Private preconcert reception
- Two tables for 20 guests total at the postconcert gala dinner
- CSO Principal Chair musician or Chorus member seated at your dinner table
- Name/logo recognition in the concert program, on the webpage, in the gala booklet and on signage
- Recognition in the concert and dinner remarks
Chorus Sponsor — $75,000
- 10 Box Level seats
- Private preconcert reception
- One table for 10 guests at the postconcert gala dinner
- CSO Principal Chair musician or Chorus member seated at your dinner table
- Name/logo recognition in the concert program, on the webpage, in the gala booklet and on signage
- Recognition in the concert and dinner remarks
Platinum Sponsor — $50,000
- 10 Melk Main Floor or 8 Box Level seats (limited Box Level seating)
- Private preconcert reception
- One table for 8-10 guests at the postconcert gala dinner
- CSO musician seated at your dinner table
- Name/logo recognition in the concert program, on the webpage, in the gala booklet and on signage
Gold Sponsor — $25,000
- 8 Melk Main Floor or Fadim Lower Balcony seats
- Private preconcert reception
- One table for eight guests at the postconcert gala dinner
- Name/logo recognition in the concert program, on the webpage, in the gala booklet and on signage
Silver Sponsor — $15,000
- 8 Fadim Lower Balcony seats
- Private preconcert reception
- One table for eight guests at the postconcert gala dinner
- Name/logo recognition in the concert program, on the webpage, in the gala booklet and on signage
Can’t attend the event? Support Symphony Ball by making a gift.
For more information, please email symphonyball@cso.org or call 312-294-3185.
Symphony Ball’s Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
The Negaunee Foundation
Bill and Cathy Osborn
Andrew Pritzker
Gold Sponsors
Sharon Angell
Anonymous
Lori Julian
Nancy and E. Scott Santi
Steve and Megan Shebik
Helen G. and Richard L. Thomas
Zell Family Foundation
Silver Sponsors
AAR CORP
Anonymous
Charles Schwab
Jennifer Christensen and Gifford R. Zimmerman
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Helen Han and Dan Pan
Elisa Harris and Ivo Daalder
Mayer Brown LLP
Paul and Lynne McDonough
PNC
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
VIP Box Experience Patrons
Robert J. Bailey and Kevin O’Brien
Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett
Shelley Ochab and Chester Gougis
VIP Experience Patrons
Peter and Elise Barack
Elizabeth Berry and Philip S. Revzin
Britta Bolin and Peter Kupferberg
Suzanne and Charles Demirjian
Global Verification Network
Lionel and Mary Go
Mariam Hakim-Zargar
Suzanne Hoffman
William and Colette Rodon Hornof
Elizabeth Jia and Andy Salk
Gala General Admission Patrons
Jacqui Cheng and Clint Ecker
Judith E. Feldman
GCM Grosvenor
Sarah Good and Mark Mosley
Nancy Hess and John Zautcke
Peter Litton and Jil Rein
Mirjana Martich and Zoran Lazarevic
Rose Murphy
Victoria Nee
Brad Pohlman and Julie Callsen
John and Heidi Rogers
Ruthie and Rich Ryan
Leah Simmons
Susan Taylor
Paul Wierbicki
Contributors
Liz Branch
Larry and Patricia Booth
Rosemarie and Dean L.† Buntrock
Anna and Mark Hertsberg
Scott and Judy McCue
McKinsey & Company
Alex Ripley
Courtney Shea
Media Partners
Photos from last year’s event:
Hosted by the Women’s Board
