The ensemble will launch the series with a November 4 concert featuring Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, conducted from the piano by Jeffrey Kahane. The other two concerts, on January 22, 2006, and April 23, 2006, will feature Douglas Boyd conducting works by Schumann and James MacMillan, and Roberto Abbado conducting three Mozart symphonies.

Marna Seltzer, director of University of Chicago Presents, said of the program, "I am particularly excited because this residency will allow us to expand our impact enormously. This will be our first chance to impact school-age children, families, and university students. It takes our operation to a completely different level."

The SPCO is the country's only full-time professional chamber orchestra; it puts on 150 concerts per year. Leadership for the ensemble is provided by its "artistic partners": Abbado, Boyd, conductor Nicholas McGegan, violinist Joshua Bell, and pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman.