The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) presents a variety of programs in May, featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and renowned guest conductors and soloists performing at Symphony Center.
The month’s classical schedule opens with continued performances of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and Bartók’s Third Piano Concerto, led by Karina Canellakis and featuring soloist Conrad Tao (May 1-3).
Joyce DiDonato, the 2025/26 CSO Artist-in-Residence, sings Lieberson’s “Neruda” Songs (May 7-9), led by Edward Gardner, before Samara Joy returns to join the CSO for a program spotlighting her singular voice, charisma, and the essence of samara joy, a name that resonates with excellence in the jazz world (May 12). 
Following her sold-out Symphony Center debut, Samara Joy returns to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening spotlighting her singular voice and charisma. As a six-time Grammy Award winner and “classic jazz singer from a new generation” (NPR), she is celebrated as a masterful interpreter and rightful heir to legends like Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Carmen McRae.
Conductor Juraj Valčuha leads an all-French program featuring Saint-Saëns’ “Organ” Symphony (May 14-16), and James Gaffigan leads the CSO in a program of dance rhythms and playful invention, with CSO Assistant Concertmaster Yuan-Qing Yu in Kreisler’s Vivaldi-inspired Violin Concerto (May 21-23).
Conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and pianist Martin Helmchen close out the month with a program featuring works by Brahms, Strauss and Ravel (May 28-31).
Symphony Center Presents (SCP) concerts in May span an array of genres, with drummer-composer Mike Reed’s program exploring Fred Hopkins’ deep influence on avant-garde jazz (May 1).
Reed and a powerhouse ensemble of fellow Chicago improvisers explore the legacy of Chicago avant-garde jazz bassist Fred Hopkins. Saxophonist Geof Bradfield and talented high-school jazz musicians open the concert, with Reed’s collection of music composed in Chicago between 1980 and 2010.
Also, Evgeny Kissin’s eras-spanning recital pairing Beethoven with Chopin will be presented (May 17).
Aida Cuevas, “La Voz de México,” celebrates 50 years as an ambassador of Mexican and Latin American music (May 15), and Hilary Hahn returns with a rich exploration of French music, including sonatas by Debussy, Ravel and Fauré (May 24).
The “CSO for Kids” series presents two matinee programs of “Mother Goose & the Cabinet of Wonder,” featuring singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant (May 9).
Join singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, members of the CSO and special guests for a joyful singalong with Mother Goose. Perfect for ages 3-12, this captivating program features traditional nursery rhymes adapted by Merchant and orchestrated for an array of instrumental groups. Be a part of this magical musical world of learning and imagination.
Mother Goose & the Cabinet of Wonder is a co-production of Natalie Merchant, Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO.
Ken-David Masur leads the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in Mahler’s First Symphony (May 4), following a performance at New Trier High School (May 3), and, in collaboration with New Music Chicago, Civic Orchestra Fellows perform a dynamic program featuring music selected from a call for scores (May 17).
Information about these events is available at cso.org.