[Jenn]

CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES
MAJOR RADIO AND RECORDING INITIATIVES

CSO RETURNS TO WEEKLY NATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS IN 2007 WITH THE BP
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SERIES
ON 98.7WFMT AND THE WFMT RADIO NETWORK

-INTRODUCING "CSO RESOUND"-
CSO LAUNCHES IN-HOUSE RECORDING LABEL
FOR CD & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD RELEASES

CSO Resound to debut with recording of critically acclaimed October
2006 performances of
Mahler's Symphony No. 3 with CSO Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink
with support from The Boeing Company

Generous support from BP returns Chicago Symphony Orchestra
to national radio airwaves for first time since 2001

CSO's robust audience development initiatives continue to expand with
free video downloads of innovative Beyond the Score® presentation of
Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin
offered via www.cso.org in January 2007

(CHICAGO)-The CSO Association today announced major media
initiatives designed to significantly broaden the reach of the
world-class music making of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including
the BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series, a 52-week
nationally syndicated series created in partnership with The WFMT Radio
Network, and the creation of "CSO Resound," an in-house recording
label for new CSO self-produced compact disc and digital download
releases.
With the introduction of the BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio
Broadcast Series in 2007 on 98.7WFMT, Chicago's legacy classical
radio station, and The WFMT Radio Network, live concert broadcasts of
the CSO will return to the national radio airwaves for the first time
since 2001. The new radio series is made possible by a generous
three-year gift from BP, its title sponsor. More...

The CSO will launch its new in-house recording label-"CSO
Resound"-in early 2007. The label's debut offering will be
physical CD and digital download releases of the CSO's critically
acclaimed October 2006 performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 3 under
the direction of CSO Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink, featuring
mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus,
and the Chicago Children's Choir, contingent upon agreement with
other artistic partners, including the American Guild of Musical
Artists (AGMA) as representative of the CSO Chorus. CSO CDs and
digital downloads will be available through www.cso.org, iTunes,
www.amazon.com, and a wide array of distribution channels through a new
CSO partnership with IODA (Independent Online Distribution Alliance).
The CSO's new recording initiative is made possible by valuable
support from The Boeing Company.
In addition, the CSO will explore ways to extend the reach of its
innovative new Beyond the Score® series-CSO concerts with rich
multimedia content delving into the stories behind great orchestral
masterworks-via the Internet. Free video downloads of the CSO's
December 3 Beyond the Score® presentation of Bartók's The
Miraculous Mandarin with conductor Pierre Boulez and host Gerard
McBurney will be made available on www.cso.org, beginning in January
2007.
"We are delighted that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will now have
the capability of reaching an even greater number of music lovers and
fans around the world through these wonderful developments in the areas
of radio, new recordings, and the Internet," said Deborah R. Card,
President of the CSO Association. "The CSO is known internationally
for superlative artistic excellence and we are well aware that there is
great demand from listeners for projects that extend the reach of the
Orchestra outside of Chicago and the concert hall. Complementing live
performances in Chicago and worldwide, these new initiatives will
sustain the high profile and superb reputation of the CSO, capturing
for posterity the one-of-a-kind music making for which our Orchestra is
known. I am especially grateful to our CSO musicians for their
wonderful spirit of collaboration as we have worked together to create
these exciting new plans in the realm of media, an area that we all
agree is critically important to our institution's future."
These dynamic initiatives are made possible by a new three-year
agreement that has been finalized between the musicians and management
of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a new collaboration that governs
guidelines related to the creation and distribution of recorded
material. In addition to contractual guidelines for radio broadcasts
of CSO concerts, the agreement allows for simultaneous streaming on the
Internet and sets terms for broadcasts of chamber music concerts. The
new media agreement also sets terms for creation of self-produced CDs
and digital downloads through "CSO Resound" and includes provisions
to create one complimentary recording each year for educational use in
Chicago Public Schools.
In the spirit of true partnership, decisions related to media
activities of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including repertoire
selection for recording releases, licensing, marketing, and
distribution, will continue to be made collaboratively by a Joint Media
Committee, to be comprised of three CSO musicians and three members of
the CSO Association staff.
More...

"This is an exciting time for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,"
said Stephen Lester, Chairman of the CSO Members Committee. "The
musicians of the CSO are thrilled to have new comprehensive media
agreements in place that once again bring our concerts to audiences in
Chicago and the world. These agreements allow the Orchestra to be
heard by radio broadcast, CDs, digital downloads, as well as other
developing technologies, which will only expand our audience. We want
to thank Gary Matts, President of Local 10-208 Chicago Federation of
Musicians for the invaluable help and support he has given us during
the talks that created these agreements. We also want to thank the CSO
Association for making the commitment to produce significant amounts of
media in years to come. As one of the most recorded and broadcast
orchestras in history, media has always played an important part in the
success of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, so we are very pleased to be
able to offer our audience these new opportunities to hear the CSO."

"It's a wonderful thing to be able to share this news today that
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will once again be heard around the
world through these new broadcasts, newly released recordings and
digital downloads," said Gary Matts, President of the Chicago
Federation of Musicians. "This agreement has truly been a long time
in coming. We are grateful to everyone involved for working so hard and
thoughtfully investing considerable time and energy into making this a
reality."
"With the CSO back on the air, life is back to normal at WFMT and
the Network. Once again, millions of listeners in Chicago and
throughout the world will hear this most wonderful of all orchestras on
the radio and the Internet," said Steve Robinson, Senior Vice
President for WFMT and The WFMT Radio Network. "Our great thanks go
out to the musicians and management, and especially BP, for returning
the CSO to its broadcast home on WFMT."


BP CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RADIO BROADCAST SERIES:
Weekly local and national radio broadcasts on The WFMT Radio Network

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The WFMT Radio Network, the
international syndication division of Chicago's award-winning
classical music station, 98.7WFMT, will partner to create the new
52-week per year BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series.
This two-hour, weekly radio program will consist of 39 weeks of live
concerts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, recorded in its home,
Symphony Center, that will be broadcast and syndicated nationally by
The WFMT Radio Network. An additional 13 weeks of broadcasts will draw
upon the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's expansive catalogue of
commercial recordings, filling out the broadcast schedule to a full 52
weeks. The BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series will
be heard locally in Chicago on 98.7WFMT on Sunday afternoons at 1:00
p.m.

The WFMT Radio Network's existing weekly CSO Retrospectives
series-national broadcasts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra drawn
from commercial releases-will be presented with the support of BP,
beginning in January 2007. The CSO and The WFMT Radio Network will
launch the new BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series in
March 2007, bringing a new and distinctive approach to CSO radio
programming. With the



More...

powerful sounds of the CSO as its centerpiece, the new series'
engaging and lively content will include produced segments created to
provide deeper insight into the music and programmatic themes found
within the CSO's concert season; interviews with CSO musicians, guest
artists, and composers; and an exploration of the stories found within
the CSO's rich heritage of recordings and the Orchestra's
illustrious history in Chicago. Additional information about new
series programming will be shared in early 2007.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's return to the national airwaves is
made possible by a generous three-year gift from BP, title sponsor of
the new radio series. "BP is pleased to help the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra provide access to its world class musical performances for
more people in the United States and around the globe through this
important radio broadcast series, made available over the airwaves and
via the Internet," said Bob Malone, Chairman and President of BP
America Inc. "The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is known worldwide as a
leading institution of art and culture. We are pleased to partner with
CSO to help extend its reach into homes throughout America as well as
elsewhere in the world."

The BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series represents the
first new nationally syndicated radio programs by the CSO to be heard
since 2001. In addition to radio sponsorship, support from BP totaling
$3.4 million over the next three years will provide much-needed funding
for the CSO's international touring activities, Opening Night Gala
programs in 2007 and 2008, as well as educational activities.

BP has a long history of support of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The company has contributed to the CSO's annual fund for more than 15
years and, since 2002, has also provided important support for CSO
education and community initiatives, including BP Adventures in Music,
a program that enhances the CSO's Saturday morning Kraft Family
Matinee Series experience for families from 19 community organizations
through preparatory materials, instrument donations, and guided
pre-concert music-making activities. A fan of classical music, Lord
John Browne of Madingley, BP's Group Chief Executive, became an
Honorary Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2000. Today's
announcement of added funding also notably builds on many years of
previous support received by the CSO for local and national radio
broadcasts beginning in 1976, originally from Standard Oil Company of
Indiana (later known as Amoco and currently BP).

The BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series will be
syndicated to more than 160 markets nationwide by The WFMT Radio
Network. WFMT Radio Network executives expect this number to increase
throughout 2007 as word about the new series reaches classical music
stations throughout the United States. In addition to concerts by the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The WFMT Radio Network also syndicates
concerts by the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Jazz at
Lincoln Center, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, as
well as ongoing series and documentary specials such as Exploring Music
with Bill McGlaughlin and the Peabody award-winning documentary Leonard
Bernstein: An American Life with Susan Sarandon. The WFMT Radio
Network also offers exclusive programming from Germany's Deutsche
Welle Radio, the British Broadcasting Corporation, and dozens of
classical, folk, jazz, and news series, as well as specials to radio
outlets around the world. For more information about 98.7WFMT and The
WFMT Radio Network, please visit www.wfmt.com.


More...

INTRODUCING "CSO RESOUND"
CSO's in-house label for CD and digital download releases

The CSO will launch its new in-house recording label-"CSO
Resound"-in spring 2007. For its debut release, the new label will
issue physical CD and digital downloads of the CSO's critically
acclaimed October 2006 performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 3 under
the direction of CSO Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink, featuring
mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus,
and the Chicago Children's Choir. Mr. Haitink's fall performances
of Mahler's Third Symphony with the CSO marked his first appearances
in Chicago in his new titled position. This offering will be
contingent upon agreement with other artistic partners, including the
American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) as representative of the CSO
Chorus.

The name "CSO Resound" was selected to reflect the distinct and
powerful sound of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra itself, an ensemble of
musicians that has always been renowned for its sonic brilliance. Also
a play on words ("re-sound"), the name nods to the fact that each
CSO recording serves as a way to document and extend the experience of
each unique concert, allowing it to be "re-played" at the music
lover's discretion. CSO recordings, especially digital downloads
made available shortly following orchestra performances, will provide
the perfect way for Symphony Center patrons to take their concert
experience home with them and will enable those unable to attend
performances to have access to the phenomenal music making of the CSO.


"CSO Resound" compact discs will be sold at many traditional retail
outlets, including Symphony Center's on-site Symphony Store. CDs and
digital downloads will be both be available at www.cso.org, iTunes,
www.amazon.com and via a wide array of additional distribution channels
through a new partnership with IODA (Independent Online Distribution
Alliance). An industry-leading digital distribution company, IODA
distributes thousands of releases from independent labels to digital
outlets around the world and assists with sales reporting, licensing,
and digital promotion. The creative identity for "CSO Resound" is
being developed by Chicago-based IA Collaborative, the firm responsible
for the look and design of the CSO's award-winning Web site,
www.cso.org.

The CSO's new recording initiative is made possible by important
funding from The Boeing Company. "Part of what makes Chicago such a
great city is that it is the home of one of the world's best
orchestras," said Nora Moreno Cargie, Boeing's director of Global
Corporate Citizenship in Chicago. "Clearly, the CSO is one of the
Chicago's great contributions to the world of music. It's something
all Chicagoans should be proud of, part of, and support, and Boeing is
pleased to be counted among its benefactors."

Since The Boeing Company's arrival in Chicago in September 2001, the
CSO has benefited from its commitment to support arts and culture in
our community. The Boeing Company has been a valued corporate partner
of the CSO since 2002, providing generous Annual Fund support, as well
as major event and program sponsorships, including the popular
Afterwork Masterworks® series during the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006
seasons, and more recently, major support of the CSO's MusicNOW
series.

As part of its new recording plan, the CSO will self-produce at least
six new CD releases over the next three years under the banner of
"CSO Resound," with all upcoming releases selected from live
recordings of CSO concerts. In addition, three to four digital-only
releases will be issued per year. An initial schedule of recording
releases will be shared in mid-2007.
More...

CSO'S INNOVATIVE BEYOND THE SCORE® SERIES
Free Beyond the Score video downloads available in January via
www.cso.org

The CSO will explore ways to extend the reach of its innovative new
Beyond the Score® series-CSO concerts with rich multimedia content
delving into the stories behind great orchestral masterworks-offering
free video downloads of its Beyond the Score® presentation of
Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin with conductor Pierre Boulez and
host Gerard McBurney on www.cso.org, beginning in late January 2007.
This colorful in-depth exploration of Bartók's masterwork will first
be presented at Symphony Center in Chicago on Sunday afternoon,
December 3 with an encore performance scheduled for New York's
Carnegie Hall on Saturday, December 9. The complimentary video
downloads will extend the Beyond the Score® experience, and the
CSO's exciting work in the area of audience development, out of the
concert hall and into people's homes for the first time.

Hosted by British musicologist/composer Gerard McBurney, Beyond the
Score® has been a dramatic addition to the CSO's core programming in
Chicago, designed not only for classical music aficionados, but also
for newcomers looking to dive more deeply into the world of classical
music. The first half of each Beyond the Score® program uses visual
imagery, narration, and live musical examples to examine a single
orchestral masterwork - its context in history, how it fits into the
composer's output of works, the details of the composer's life that
influenced its creation - sharing the illuminating stories found
"inside the music." After intermission, concertgoers return to the
hall with newly discovered knowledge to hear a performance of the
score, played in its entirety by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This
season, in addition to The Miraculous Mandarin with Pierre Boulez,
Symphony Center audiences will experience performances focusing on
Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring with conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen
(January 28), and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27, K. 595 with
conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane (April 29).


ABOUT THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Founded in 1891, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is consistently hailed
as one of the greatest orchestras in the world. Throughout its
history, recordings have been an important part of the Orchestra's
activities. Since its first recording in 1916, the Chicago Symphony
has amassed a discography numbering more than 900 titles, one of the
most expansive and illustrious catalogues of any international
orchestra. Recordings by the CSO have earned 58 Grammy® Awards from
the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences-more than any
other orchestra in the world.

The CSO's history also contains a long-held tradition of radio
broadcasting. Periodic in-concert CSO broadcasts first became a
reality in 1925 when then-Music Director Frederick Stock conducted
Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks for live radio broadcast.
From that point on, with the exception of a three year hiatus during
World War II, the Orchestra had a radio presence at least once
annually. From 1976 through 2001, the CSO was heard continually each
week by millions of radio listeners around the world in national radio
broadcasts, syndicated by The WFMT Radio Network. Since 2001, The WFMT
Radio Network has been the home of CSO Retrospectives, national
broadcasts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra drawn from commercial
releases. The introduction of BP Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio
Broadcast Series on WFMT by The WFMT Radio Network in 2007 marks the
return to syndicated broadcasts of live CSO concerts to the national
airwaves.
More...
Live performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are much in demand
at home and in the best musical venues around the world. In
collaboration with the best conductors and guest artists on the
international music scene, the CSO performs well over 100 concerts each
year at its downtown home, Symphony Center, and at the Ravinia Festival
on Chicago's North Shore, where it is in residence each summer. The
CSO's comprehensive education and community programs engage close to
100,000 Chicago-area residents annually. Music lovers outside Chicago
enjoy the sounds of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra not only through
best-selling recordings, but also frequent sold-out tour performances
in the United States and around the globe. Since 1971, the CSO has
undertaken 32 international tours: 24 to Europe, five to the Far East,
as well as one each to Russia, Australia, and South America. For more
information about the CSO, please visit www.cso.org.

[Jenn]

In article ,
"Soundhaspriority" wrote:

"Jenn" wrote in message

...
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES
MAJOR RADIO AND RECORDING INITIATIVES

CSO RETURNS TO WEEKLY NATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS IN 2007 WITH THE BP
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SERIES
ON 98.7WFMT AND THE WFMT RADIO NETWORK

Great! I wonder, how might WFMT's syndicated presence be in the Philadelphia
area?

Bob Morein
Dresher, PA
(215) 646-4894

I wondering the same for out here. Then there's the news about new
recordings by my favorite American orchestra...yippee!

Hey, I did a gig last night that would have been fun for you to record:
a fantastic jazz trio (top L.A. pros that I teach with) for an hour
followed by me doing an amplified acoustic guitar set for an hour.
Terrible P.A. at a fancy restaurant at the beach.