Welcome from the President and CEO
Dear Friends of Music,
Welcome to the New Year! We are glad you are here with us as we ring in another year of music for all.
Recently, in recognition of his extraordinary tenure and artistic accomplishments, Louis Langrée was appointed as Music Director Laureate of the CSO, effective at the conclusion of this current season—his last as Music Director—and extending through the 2027–28 season. As Music Director Laureate, Louis will return to Cincinnati to conduct the Orchestra in select concerts each season, beginning in the 2025–26 season, and we are thrilled. The CSO has been the fortunate beneficiary of Louis’ deep commitment to music, and to sharing it as widely as possible, for more than a decade. This new relationship honors that commitment and makes official our mutual intent to reunite for extraordinary performances.
As for the remainder of this season, there are still opportunities to see Louis in action: Brahms’ German Requiem (February 9–11), Hadelich & Holland (April 20–21), and Louis’s Grand Finale (May 10–12). The Saturday, May 11 performance will now include a free post-concert reception in celebration of Louis, reservations required. We encourage you to make plans to attend if you haven’t already.
We also congratulate our Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) Concerto Competition winners: violinists Vivian Chang and Christy Kim. Christy Kim will perform Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso at the March 3 CSYO Philharmonic/CSO’s annual Side-by-Side concert, and Vivian Chang will perform Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy at the April 28 CSYO Philharmonic concert.
Although much of our work takes place here at Music Hall, the CSO is implementing a strategic plan that underscores our vision to become the most relevant orchestra in America, and our work is being noticed. The CSO was recently awarded the Cincinnati Business Courier and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s CLIMB (Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business) Award for our Brady Block Parties Series, a free summer outdoor event and concert series presented in partnership with local community organizations in neighborhoods across Cincinnati. The first presenting arts organization in Cincinnati to receive this award, we are honored to join the ranks of major change makers in the community. It affirms that we’re making progress toward realizing our vision to become the most relevant orchestra in America—and that work begins right here in Cincinnati. Stay tuned for more information about our free Brady Block Parties Series this summer.
Finally, we believe music is for all—regardless of budget. One way we reduce the barriers to experience the Orchestra is through our robust ticket program that offers first-timer, pay-what-you-wish, student, kids, senior citizen, active military, group and other discounts. We encourage you to visit our website (cincinnatisymphony.org/MusicForAll) for more information about each opportunity, and let’s make 2024 a year full of music for all.
Jonathan Martin