The start of summer marked a special opportunity for CYSO, as we were invited to perform at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. For Symphony Orchestra, this was our send-off concert just before leaving on our tour of Spain. Performing our tour repertoire in an outdoor venue was a unique experience, giving us one last chance to share our music with family, friends, and fellow Chicagoans before departing. From our vantage point on stage, we watched the sun slowly set behind the buildings, and darkness began to fall across the park as we played Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. It was a quintessential summer moment that we will all remember.
At our stop in Granada, Spain, we were honored to perform at the famed Granada Music Festival. The festival has a long history of showcasing diverse musical talent, and it was a privilege for CYSO to be part of that legacy. Performing in the Manuel de Falla Concert Hall was a full-circle moment for Symphony Orchestra, as our repertoire for the Spanish Rhapsody Gala this winter included pieces by Falla, such as The Three-Cornered Hat and Spanish Dance. Playing these works at our gala in Chicago and then sharing them at the Granada Festival in the Manuel de Falla Hall was a remarkable experience—one that connected time and place through music. The hall and the audience made our third concert in Spain particularly special. Bowing after our final encore, Star Wars, I was moved by the smiling audience and their appreciation for the work we had put in. Traveling thousands of miles across the ocean to bring joy to new audiences was one of the most impactful moments of my musical journey. Realizing that, despite our differing languages and geography, we could come together and enjoy the music we performed was a powerful moment for me and for many of my fellow CYSO musicians. Performing at Millennium Park as our kickoff concert at home, and then sharing that music internationally in Spain, will remain in our memories for many years to come.
Although CYSO’s tour of Spain has come to a close, the power of music to connect continues throughout the rest of the summer, as CYSO will perform at Lollapalooza in August. Performing in Grant Park for the second time this summer, CYSO will have an unprecedented opportunity to share our music with an even larger audience. These three festivals have brought my fellow musicians closer together, as we’ve shared unforgettable memories and connected our orchestra with other musicians and audiences, both at home and abroad. We are all grateful for these incredible experiences.
—Bennett King
