Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Presents Gala 2025: Spanish Rhapsody February 15 at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) will celebrate the power of music across cultures in support of its award-winning music education programs at its “2025 Gala: Spanish Rhapsody,” an evening of elegance and musical brilliance, on Saturday, February 15, 6–9:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place.

Proceeds from the Gala directly support CYSO’s acclaimed programs, which engage students from throughout the Chicago area. This support enables CYSO to provide exceptional musical education to the next generation of talented musicians, nurturing a lifelong love of music while ensuring access to world-class training for all, regardless of financial circumstances.

This year’s Gala honors two groundbreaking visionaries with its Note of Excellence Award: James Ginsburg, a Grammy-winning music producer and founder and president of Cedille Records, and Jonathan Bailey Holland, an award-winning composer and dean of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. CYSO has performed Holland’s compositions on numerous occasions and made three recordings for Cedille Records, produced by Ginsburg.

“At CYSO, we believe an orchestra is an unparalleled environment for discovering our common humanity and building a community of belonging,” said Music Director Allen Tinkham. “Every season, we embark on musical journeys in every one of our symphonic, string, steel pan, and jazz orchestras, regardless of skill or age. We learn compassion, curiosity, confidence, collaboration, and courage, and this is how we inspire and cultivate personal excellence through music, investing in the future of music and the next generation of leaders both on and off the stage.”

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by an elegant dinner, captivating performances, a live auction, and a dessert reception. Lourdes Duarte, WGN-TV anchor and investigative reporter, serves as the evening’s emcee. Ross Bricker and Nina Vinik are Gala co-chairs. More than 150 CYSO musicians will entertain guests and showcase their artistry as members of the Kaiso Steel Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, Preparatory Strings, and Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s theme, Spanish Rhapsody, is inspired by the music and culture of Spain, as the CYSO Symphony Orchestra embarks on an international tour in June 2025 across Spain, where young musicians will perform for sold-out audiences in some of the country’s most renowned concert halls. Accordingly, as part of the gala’s performances, the CYSO offers excerpts from Bizet’s iconic Carmen, Falla’s vibrant Three-Cornered Hat, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s virtuosic Capriccio Espagnol.

“This tour represents an incredible opportunity for CYSO students to share their artistry on a global stage, showcasing the skill and passion that have earned our orchestras countless accolades,” said Jennie Oh Brown, CYSO executive director. “The experience will not only allow our musicians to represent Chicago abroad but also deepen their understanding of the transformative power of music and its ability to connect people across cultures.”

The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras’ 2025 Gala: Spanish Rhapsody takes place 

Saturday, February 15, 2025, 6–9:30 p.m. at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago. Tickets are $600, available beginning December 10 at cyso.org/gala.
Now in its 78th season, CYSO offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive music training programs, including 14 on-site ensembles, chamber music, composition, CYSO@CPS school-based programs, and community engagement initiatives. By increasing access to high-quality music education, CYSO is shaping the future of music and developing leaders who will no-doubt impact the world. For information, visit cyso.org.