The Chicago Symphony Musicians Will Present a Benefit Concert June 13th for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Conducted by Music Director Riccardo Muti.

The Musicians of the Chicago Symphony will present a benefit concert for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, GCFD, on Monday, June 13th at 8:00PM at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  Our musicians have always been involved in the community through chamber, educational, and community concerts. This concert, undertaken as an orchestra and conducted by our Music Director Riccardo Muti, will be the first time such a collective effort has been made.  Collaborating with the Food Depository, our musicians can offer support in direct ways, by raising funds.  This concert will bring attention to two of the most difficult problems our society faces: hunger and malnutrition.  The concert is entirely produced by the musicians. All of the proceeds will be donated to the GCFD.

All participants: musicians, stage hands, ushers, will be donating their services for this concert. CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti will also be donating his services.  He shares the musicians’ commitment to help those in need, saying "I am very happy to be conducting the first concert of the Chicago Symphony Musicians to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository, whose effort to end hunger is so important to our City. As musicians, we strive to provide cultural nourishment and so this joint effort is a reflection of our collective desire to feed the body and soul."
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The Studebaker Theater is just two blocks south of Orchestra Hall, within the Fine Arts Building.  This location was chosen because of its easy access for audience members, and its 720 seats will give listeners an opportunity to see and hear us in a more intimate setting.  The program will begin with the William Tell Overture by Rossini, followed by the Mozart Clarinet Concerto featuring Steve Williamson, soloist, and conclude with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.   By offering the use of this venerable hall, The Fine Arts Building has joined with the musicians to support the GCFD.  We also thank the Chicago Federation of Musicians for their support and encouragement.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository began its work in 1979 . They support  directly, or through over 650 partner organizations, one of every six Cook County residents.  Currently they provide approximately 165,000 meals each day, and the proceeds from this concert will help to support this vital mission.  We are proud to offer our support!

Tickets for this benefit concert are available through the Studebaker Box Office http://www.studebakertheater.com/tickets/box-office/

Greater Chicago Food Depository Vice President of Fund Development
​Jill Zimmerman walks with Riccardo Muti and Steve Lester.
                                                                                                                           photo by Todd Rosenberg

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Riccardo Muti with Greater Chicago Food Depository Vice President of Fund Development Jill Zimmerman, Principal Bass Alex Hanna, Assistant Principal Oboe Michael Henoch, Violinist Susan Synnestvedt,
and Bassists Steven Lester and Rob Kassinger.
​                                                                                                                           photo by Todd Rosenberg