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Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) Announces 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration – Guest of Honor, Rose Ann Grundman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2007

Contact:
Amanda Goedde
312-939-2207 ext. 31 (phone)
312-939-2015 (fax)
agoedde@cyso.org

Westin Chicago River North
February 3, 2007

The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) Board of Directors will host its 60 th Anniversary Gala Celebration at the Westin Chicago River North on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 6:00 pm honoring Rose Ann Grundman. The event is a grand tribute to the students, parents and alumni of the organization for their continuous dedication to the future of classical music.

The event includes live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner and a concert by the Symphony Orchestra, featuring 60 years of music from the movies. Steven Zick, of Christie's Fine Arts Auctioneers – Chicago, will serve as the emcee for the evenings festivities. The event is sponsored by Bank of America, Northern Trust, LaSalle Bank, and Winston & Strawn, LLP.

Individual tickets are $300 with additional seating and sponsorship opportunities available. For tickets or more information please contact Amanda Goedde at 312.939.2207 x 31.

All donations benefit music training and engagement programs of the CYSO. “CYSO is truly one of Chicago 's jewels”, says Gary Burns CYSO Gala Chair. “Please help us preserve, nurture and further develop our treasure by being a part of the CYSO's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration.”

The Westin Chicago River North is located at 320 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago

About the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Founded in 1946 by parents and volunteers who wished to provide a quality orchestral music experience for children, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) has grown from a single orchestra to a comprehensive family of musical programs designed to provide outstanding opportunities in classical music and resources to all Chicago area youth. CYSO now directly serves more than 350 musicians ages 7 to 18, over 5,000 Chicago Public School students, and over 40,000 audience members each season.

Today's CYSO includes four core orchestras; enrichment through chamber music, theory, and a select chamber orchestra; performance opportunities for young adults who are pursuing professional careers in music; extensive work with Chicago Public Schools and collaborations with a wide range of the top music and education organizations, representing a broad spectrum of city life and entertainment. The CYSO is a long-time resident in the historic Fine Arts Building, just blocks from its primary performance venue— Symphony Center 's world renowned Orchestra Hall.

The CYSO is internationally recognized for producing the next generation of professional musicians. Notably, 100% of CYSO students pursue college studies, with approximately 75% of each year's graduating class continuing their music training at some of the nation's finest conservatories, colleges and universities. Many go on to play professionally in the top orchestras in the nation and abroad.

The CYSO continues to be acknowledged as one of the premier institutions of its kind in the United States. Recently, the organization received its 6th award for adventurous programming from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); the CYSO performed at the 2005 Chicago Humanities Festival, was featured on Public Radio International's syndicated From the Top radio show; and was the only Illinois orchestra invited to perform at the prestigious 2005 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, an international conference of instrumental music educators.