Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Where is the Symphony Store located?
The Symphony Store is located at the Adams Street entrance to Symphony Center: 67 E. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60604. The Store is also accessible from the main entrance to Symphony Center at 220 S. Michigan Ave.
What are your business hours?
Regular Business Hours
Tues–Sat 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Specialty Hours
The Symphony Store is open until the bells chime for the start of all Chicago Symphony Orchestra Classical Series performances and reopens for intermission. The Store is also open before, during and after all Sunday matinees for CSO Classical and Symphony Center Presents Piano performances.
The Symphony Store is open until the start of all Symphony Center Presents Jazz and CSO at the Movies performances. Special merchandise for these concerts is often available in the Orchestra Hall lobby.
What is your return policy?
Unused, unopen items in their original condition may be returned or exchanged within 30 days of original purchase. Gift recipients are eligible for exchange only. Shipping and handling charges for returned merchandise are non-refundable. A copy of your receipt (for in-store purchases) or packing slip (for online purchases) is required to receive a refund.
Select items produced and shipped from print-on-demand vendors are final sale and cannot be returned. These items include the phrase “Online exclusive!” in the item description and ship separately from other items in your order.
For returns of merchandise purchased online, please submit a return request by emailing symphonystore@cso.org or replying to your order confirmation email. In your message, reference your order number and the item(s) you would like to return or exchange. A return label will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days, and a refund, if applicable, will be applied to your original form of payment upon receipt of your return.
Merchandise purchased online may be returned in-store; however, refunds for returned merchandise will not be issued immediately back to the original form of payment. You will receive an emailed receipt for the refund within 3-5 business days of acceptance of your return.
The Symphony Store reserves the right to deny refund if the merchandise does not meet return policy requirements. Banking institutions may require additional time to process and post refunds to your account. The Symphony Store reserves the right to change this policy at any time.
For questions regarding our return policy, please email symphonystore@cso.org.
Does the Symphony Store sell gift certificates?
The Symphony Store does not sell gift certificates. Gift certificates issued 2006 and prior are still valid and may be redeemed in person only. Gift certificates for use on ticket purchases are available at cso.org.
Accounts
What are my login credentials?
Login information is unique to symphonystore.com. To keep your personal information safe and secure, your account information from cso.org does not carry over to symphonystore.com. If you shopped on symphonystore.com prior to July 1, 2021, your old account is no longer active. Please take a moment to recreate your account prior to placing your order.
How do I receive my donor or subscriber discount on my purchase?
Subscribers and donors to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association save 15% on qualified purchases. Your promo code can be found on your subscription materials and patron card. For assistance, please call 312-294-3345.
Can my Symphony Center account balance be applied to my purchase?
Symphony Center account balances can be used to make purchases at the Symphony Store, but it requires a manual process. To utilize your account balance on your purchase, please email symphonystore@cso.org or use the Contact us form to submit a request. For quickest service, please include your name, patron number and shipping address in your message.
Shipping
What are my shipping options?
All available shipping options for your order will automatically populate when you proceed to checkout. Shipping rates are calculated based on the approximate weight of your order, dimensions of the package and distance from Symphony Center (or fulfillment center for print-on-demand items). Our most popular shipping rates include:
UPS Ground
Ground shipping is an economical and quick service with detailed tracking information. Packages typically arrive 1-3 business days from when the order leaves Symphony Center. Ground shipping cannot be used when shipping to post office boxes.
USPS Priority Mail
Priority Mail is a quick, affordable service with thorough tracking information. Packages typically arrive 1-3 business days from when the order leaves Symphony Center and are automatically insured for up to $50.
USPS Ground Advantage
Ground Advantage is the most popular and economical way to ship items through the United States Postal Service. Packages typically arrive 2-5 business days from when the order leaves Symphony Center and are insured for up to $100.
Do you offer expedited shipping?
Expedited shipping may be purchased on a case-by-case basis. For an expedited shipping quote, please email symphonystore@cso.org.
International Ordering
Worldwide
The Symphony Store is happy to serve Chicago Symphony Orchestra fans at home and abroad. International ordering is integrated into the checkout experience on symphonystore.com, with shipping options available to most international destinations. Shipping rates are calculated based on the approximate weight of your order, dimensions of the package and distance from Symphony Center (or fulfillment center for print-on-demand items). Customs fees, duties and/or value added taxes (VAT) incurred upon arrival in the destination country are the responsibility of the purchaser. Available shipping rates may include:
UPS Worldwide Expedited
Expedited shipping offers delivery to more than 220 countries and territories with powerful package tracking every step of the way. After leaving Symphony Center, packages arrive within 2 business days to Canada, 3 business days to Mexico, 3-4 business days to Europe and 4-5 business days to Asia and Latin America.
UPS Worldwide Saver
Saver shipping offers delivery to more than 220 countries and territories with detailed tracking from Symphony Center to your home or business. After leaving Symphony Center, packages arrive on the next business day to Canada, within 2 business days to Europe and Latin America and 2-3 business days to Asia.
USPS First Class Mail, International
First Class Mail is the most economical international service for small packages. This service is only available for packages weighing less than 64 ounces and valued at less than $400. First Class Mail services 180 countries and territories, with delivery time varying based on the destination. Package tracking is only available up to the point of departure from the United States.
USPS Priority Mail, International
Priority Mail is a reliable and economical way to ship to more than 180 countries and territories, with delivery time ranging approximately 6-10 business days after departure from Symphony Center. Packages are automatically insured for up to $200. Tracking information is only available up to the point of departure from the United States.
Digital Downloads
Digital downloads are available for select CSO Resound albums. To purchase a digital download, select “Digital Download” under the Format tab and proceed to checkout. Upon completing your purchase, you will be provided a link to download your files, both in the order confirmation window and in an email to the address input at checkout.
What is included with my digital download?
Each digital download is a ZIP file containing the audio files for the album you purchased and a PDF of the liner notes included with the physical release. The audio files are all CD-quality MP3 files with metadata (including track titles, artists and catalog information) embedded in the file.
How do I play my downloaded audio files?
Once downloaded to your PC, tablet or smartphone, MP3s can be played on most default audio players and apps. We recommend using the software or app you are most familiar with, or wherever you store other downloaded audio files.
Do you offer high resolution audio formats?
Some albums may be available in high resolution audio formats, including 44.1kHz, 16 bit; 88.2 kHz, 24 bit, and/or 96 kHz, 24 bit. Higher resolution downloads are formatted as WAV files only and do not include embedded metadata. To request a high-resolution download, please contact symphonystore@cso.org.
Concert Information
Where can I purchase tickets for Chicago Symphony Orchestra performances?
Tickets for most events at Symphony Center are available at cso.org or by calling 312-294-3000. To purchase tickets in-person, visit the Box Office at 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Are concert recordings available for purchase?
While nearly all performances are recorded for archival purposes, very few are made commercially available. Recordings of select concerts are available for streaming on Experience CSO.
