2025 MSOL Parties of Note

Welcome to the nineteenth in our series of themed parties to benefit the Madison Symphony Orchestra. You’ll find activities and venues for a wide variety of interests and tastes. Look for encores of popular parties, as well as the debut of exciting new parties.

This year’s party lineup features well-known hosts, behind-the-scenes venues, outdoor adventures, musical entertainment, and more. And of course, with all our parties, you will enjoy fabulous food and the camaraderie of your fellow music enthusiasts.

Plan your “itinerary” and make your reservations early, as space for each party is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Many sell out quickly! All registration will be exclusively online and must be accompanied by Master Card or Visa payment. You may make reservations for as many events as you wish. A confirmation of your reservation will be sent by email. You will receive directions and parking information approximately two weeks before each party.

Registration Tips and Reminders

• Once you have finished selecting tickets for all Parties you wish to register for, you will have 20 minutes to complete the checkout process. Have your credit card information handy, as well as names and email addresses of all attendees, before you begin registering.
• If tickets to the Party you wish to register for have sold out, please keep checking back! It’s possible that tickets may be released from someone else’s cart.
• If you wish to join the waitlist for a Party, you will be able to do so through the website this. Regardless of how many tickets you are interested in, please enter one email address onto the waitlist. We will contact you whenever any spots open up (beginning with the first person on the waitlist, and moving down). At the time that we contact you, we will determine how many tickets are available and how many you are interested in.
• Please be reminded that all Parties are nonrefundable. Thank you!

The Madison Symphony Orchestra League and the Madison Symphony Orchestra are most grateful to our Party Hosts and Sponsors for their generous support and participation in this project. All proceeds benefit the MSO’s Education and Community Engagement Programs. With any questions, please email msolevents@madisonsymphony.org. Thank you!

MSOL membership includes early access to registration, starting at 10:00 AM CST, February 11, 2025.  MSOL members received an email with the password on February 10, 2025.  Registration for non-MSOL members began at 10:00 AM CST, February 18, 2025.

Click here to Register now

2025 Parties of Note

Bring New Life to Old Pianos: Behind the Scenes at Farley’s House of Pianos – March 30, 2025
Go behind the scenes with the MSOL to Farley’s House of Pianos for a fascinating look at their restoration workshop. Tim Farley will share how they rebuild and restore pianos from the United States, Canada, and as far away as Munich and Vienna. Among their most famous instruments are the 1877 Steinway Model D Centennial grand piano rebuilt for the state-owned mansion, Villa Louis, and the 9’ concert grand piano in the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater. After the tour, you’ll be treated to a piano performance by a House of Farley pianist, enjoy light refreshments, and have a chance to socialize with fellow guests and our hosts, Tim and Renée Farley, who have been making music and musical instruments in Madison for over 50 years.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Glass Lab – April 12, 2025
The UW-Madison Glass Lab has a storied history as the first collegiate glass program in the nation. Founded in the 1960s by Professor Harvey Littleton, notable alumni include Dale Chihuly. Spend the afternoon observing the creativity and artistry as current students demonstrate glass blowing. In the neon lab, we will also see the fascinating work of students who are creating tubes used in local signage.  After the tour and demonstration, refreshments will be served.

Behind the Pipes at Duck Soup – May 3, 2025
Travel back to 1929 and immerse yourself in a complete silent film experience as we go behind the pipes at the Capitol Theater. The performance features vaudeville, door prizes, and a showing of the 1919 film “The Dragon Painter,” accompanied by virtuoso theatre organist Jelani Eddington on the Grand Barton Theater Organ. Before the film, Overture’s Alanna Medearis will give us a tour of the rarely-seen pipe chambers that contain more than 1,000 pipes, drums, bells, and an array of special effects used to accompany the silent films of the 1920s. This will be followed by a special pre-film concert. After the film, we’ll have an opportunity to visit the projection booth at the very top of the theater.

Chocolate and Chamber Music – May 10, 2025
This is a unique opportunity to learn how to make those beautiful and delicious artisanal chocolates showcased in exclusive candy shops. Chocolatier Abigail Ochberg will guide you through the process of creating your own box of chocolate-y confections to share (or not!) with family and friends. With the accompaniment of a chamber music quartet, you’ll celebrate your new chocolate-making skills with a variety of sweets and savories, along with sparkling wine and other beverages.

The Many Lives of Maestro John DeMain – May 14, 2025
His memoir may not yet be out, but our beloved Maestro’s stunning career contains many untold stories that you’ll want to hear in person. Join us for an evening full of surprises and stories as our Maestro regales us with anecdotes and tales of his time with notable and notorious musical superstars and starlets. After the presentation, mingle with fellow guests over hors d’oeuvres and wine in the beautiful MYArts 4th floor lobby space.

Amazing WYSO Building Tour – May 27, 2025
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras has been in existence for 50 years, providing an outstanding musical experience for over 5,000 students. WYSO’s new building on East Washington Avenue has a stunning design inspired by the curve of a cello. Diane Ballweg will lead a tour of the building, including the state-of-the art rehearsal spaces, teaching rooms, and music library. After the tour, we will enjoy refreshments while listening to one of WYSO’s talented student groups perform.

Historic Homes in the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood – June 3, 2025
Enjoy a guided walking tour in the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood with refreshments and socializing afterwards on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Madison skyline. MSOL member and Madison Trust for Historic Preservation docent Janet Cabot will lead a 75-minute tour in the eastern part of this vibrant community. Discover how changing modes of transportation influenced the development of the streetcar suburb that includes a forgotten Frank Lloyd Wright house, Storybook houses inspired by 1920s Hollywood, early 20th century Prairie School-style homes, and more! Approximately one mile of walking is involved. Rain date: June 5, 2025.

Musical Spirits at Forest Hill Cemetery – June 14, 2025
Take a deep dive into Madison musical history! With our guides Madison historian Mark Gajewski and MSO historian Michael Allsen we will visit the gravesites of MSO conductors, musicians, composers, and many more who have created and supported Madison’s musical community. You’ll come away from this tour with a renewed awareness of the creative people who have called Madison home.

Cruising through History on Lake Monona – June 19, 2025
The history of Lake Monona is filled with stories of interesting characters who made their mark on Madison. Step aboard the fabulous Pontoon Porch for a comfortable cruise around the lake to hear about the area’s fascinating history while you enjoy delicious food and drink. Madison historian Don Sanford, author of On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota, will narrate the tour. Rain date: July 8, 2025.

Bringing the Tropics to the Midwest: The Royal Thai Pavilion from Bangkok to Madison – July 2, 2025
Hear how the Royal Thai Pavilion came to be at Olbrich Botanical Gardens: how it was built, and how it was recently restored. Thai Garden Horticulturist Dan Schuknecht will talk about the magnificent structure, as well as the tropical-style garden that surrounds it. Light refreshments and a lecture at the Visitor’s Center will be followed by a walk in the garden to see the Pavilion up close. The party will take place rain or shine; bring umbrellas if needed.

Classic Cars and Flowers at Historic Haney’s Tavern & Inn – July 30, 2025
The historic site of The Haney’s Tavern and Inn is beautifully located in the “Gateway to the Driftless Region.” Hosts Jill and John Riley and family will guide you on a tour of the well-known historic stagecoach stop, an immaculate barn which holds an incredible classic car collection, and also Haney’s Flowers, a cutting flower farm business which will be in full bloom. Light refreshments and beverages will be served on-site as we first gather in the Rileys’ restored historic barn. Rain date: August 6, 2025.

Music by Mozart and Chopin – September 5, 2025
Enjoy a performance and discussion of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Frederic Chopin in the home studio of Trevor Stephenson, artistic director of Madison Bach Musicians. Chopin studied Mozart’s music very closely and we’ll hear how Mozart’s style pops up repeatedly in Chopin’s compositions. Trevor will play his late 18th century pianoforte and will be joined by mezzo-soprano Emily Fons for several Polish songs by Chopin and opera arias by Mozart.

Behind the Scenes at WMTV 15 studios – October 23, 2025
This is your chance to tour the WMTV 15 studios, from green room to green screen. Did you ever wonder what goes into producing a TV newscast? Find out, as you go behind the scenes of a state-of-the-art broadcasting facility. You will tour the studios, watch a live broadcast, and meet the news anchors and staff who make the station tick. WMTV 15 is a long-time media partner of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and is pleased to support Parties of Note.

Joyful Sounds of the Season – December 2, 2025
Kick off your holiday season with an unforgettable experience! The Mt. Zion Choir, led by Leotha and Tamera Stanley, invites you to join them as they prepare for the December 2025 MSO Christmas Concert. After watching the rehearsal, mingle with Choir members and enjoy holiday treats. Go behind the scenes and discover what goes into preparing for the popular MSO Christmas Concert. Join the fun and make this part of your annual holiday celebrations!

Thank you to our 2025 Parties of Note Hosts/Sponsors!

Peter & Leslie Overton
Jim & Barb Patch
Pontoon Porch
Beth & Peter Rahko
Janet Renschler
Jill & John Riley
Cathy River
Don & Barb Sanford
Dan Schuknecht
Joe Shulla
Karen Smith
Teressa Smith
Tom Sobota
Leotha & Tamera Stanley
Trevor & Rose Stephenson
Susan Thomson
Judy & Nick Topitzes
Teri Venker & Larry Bechler
Jane & Glenn Watts
Carolyn White
Jessica & Jim Yehle
Nancy & Ed Young
Ledell Zellers & Simon Anderson