In the midst of midterms, papers and assignments, it can be helpful to take a break and listen to music. This is especially true if it is the musical styling of the renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The orchestra has a packed October schedule, which includes a concert at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Great Hall on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The evening program includes three contrasting pieces: Wolfgang Mozart’s “Divertimento in D Major,” Paul Hindemith’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” and Sergei Prokofiev’s suite from the ballet “Romeo and Juliet.”

According to Celeste Wroblewski, the CSO’s vice president for public relations, music director Riccardo Muti chooses the repertoire. The only exception is Hindemith’s “Concerto,” which was chosen with the help of Robert Chen, the CSO’s concertmaster and soloist.

“We hope the entire concert will delight the audience. The selection of movements from … Romeo and Juliet are specially selected by Maestro Muti to make a condensed, dramatic and contrasting series of orchestral showcases,” Wroblewski wrote in an email.

The CSO has played at Krannert Center more than 25 times, a testament to their long-standing relationship. According to Wroblewski, visiting the Krannert Center is part of the orchestra’s commitment to play for audiences outside of Chicago.

“The concert hall has fabulous acoustics. It’s one of the best in the country and (has) an attentive, appreciative audience,” Wroblewski said.

Bridget Lee-Calfas, advertising and publicity director at Krannert, wrote in an email that the Krannert Center aims to “create vibrancy, dialog and joyful moments of collective celebration” by bringing in performers like CSO to the community. Lee-Calfas said the orchestra’s reputation helps introduce new audiences to the classical music genre.

“A rich cultural life is critical to the wellness of any community and C-U is no different,” Lee-Calfas said.

Lee-Calfas said that tickets moved quickly when sales began on Aug. 10, and concert is currently sold out. However, according to Maureen Reagan, assistant director for marketing and patron services at Krannert, students and others wishing to attend the show can join the waitlist online.

“The waitlist is well worth a chance … we don’t know how big the stage is, so if we find out we can release some seats, we try to get those out,” Reagan said.

Concert-goers can also attend a buffet-style dinner at Krannert’s Intermezzo Café at 5:30 p.m. before the show, Bell said.

Reagan has attended past CSO performances in Chicago and at Krannert and is looking forward to this year’s concert, she said.

“Last year they brought pieces with three different musical styles and did such a beautiful job of bringing each time period to life,” Bell said.

Annie Chung, a flutist and senior in Music, has also seen the CSO and will attend the concert next Saturday.

“The sound they produce is gorgeous,” Chung said.

Students unable to attend the performance still can appreciate the music of the CSO. In fact, recordings are available for purchase on the orchestra’s website at cso.org.

“The CSO really is a treasure,” Reagan said.

Annabeth can be reached at [email protected].