Lyric Young Professionals

Ways to expand your support for Lyric

• Individual Giving

  With the new LYP membership tiers in place it's easier than ever to expand your involvement and giving with Lyric. LYPs have a rare opportunity to unlock engagement opportunities beyond the average donor. Please consider upgrading your membership to a higher level and/or giving and additional gift in support of the Ryan Opera Center. With any cumulative gift of $300 or more, you will enjoy exclusive donor engagement opportunities at the LYP Associate level as well as those of a Lyric annual donor.

• Matching Gifts

  Did you know that many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage philanthropy among their employees? Matching gifts provide an easy way to potentially double, if not triple, your original donation to Lyric Opera of Chicago! Simply contact your supervisor or HR department to see if your company will match your gift, allowing you to tap into Lyric's giving levels at no additional cost to you!

• Corporate Giving

  Corporate partnerships are critical to Lyric's success. They not only help Lyric meet its financial goals, but also bring Lyric into the greater business community, reaching a wide audience through marketing and partnership promotion. Our business partners support Lyric for a variety of reasons: unique client entertaining opportunities, association with an esteemed Chicago non-profit, alignment with Lyric's education and community engagement programs, and many more.

  You can play a role in helping to grow Lyric's corporate partnerships by soliciting your employer or contacts in your network.

  1. Check with the LYP Office to ensure that your targeted company has not already been asked for a gift. We have relationships with more than 60 corporate partners and need to ensure a coordinated effort.
  2. If you are soliciting your employer, contact your HR department or your supervisor to learn about the company's giving process and culture.
  3. Contact the LYP Office to obtain any solicitation materials you might need. We have sponsor opportunities available for the Halloween Masquerade at the $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 levels, and have prepared materials outlining the benefits at each level.
• In-Kind Donations

  Do you have any connections with local businesses? We need your help! We are in need of small bite donations for our annual Halloween Masquerade event at the end of October.

  If you have connections with location caterers, restaurants, bakeries, etc. who you think might be interested in donating to our event please contact the Lyric board office at boards@lyricopera.org. We ask that you kindly refrain from directly contacting your connections until a member of the LYP office has followed up with you regarding next steps. We are happy to customize a benefits package for the company in exchange for their donation including visibility and exposure at the event.

• Membership

  What is Lyric Young Professionals?

  Lyric Young Professionals (LYP) is a growing group of more than 240 dynamic opera lovers ages 21 to 45 dedicated to building the next generation of supporters for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

  What’s included in membership?

  Depending on your membership level, LYP members enjoy a range of exclusive opportunities including access to our unique social and networking events, educational programming such as our Cocktails & Conversation series, volunteer opportunities, as well as discounted tickets to performances, and so much more. Learn more about the engagement opportunities each level offers.

  LYP sounds awesome! How do I join?

  You can join LYP by making a contribution. We offer four different tiers of membership ranging from $35 to $400. Once your membership fees are paid, you will be an active member of LYP for an entire calendar year.

  Is there a deadline for when I can join?

  No, there is no deadline to join LYP. You can join LYP at any point throughout the calendar year to ensure you enjoy a full year of membership. We will notify you when your membership expiration is nearing.

  What is the commitment for standard LYP membership?

  The requirement for standard LYP membership is an annual financial commitment anywhere from $35 to $400 depending on membership level. While we hope you will participate in our programming at your leisure, there is no required time commitment.

  What is the commitment for being on the LYP Board?

  LYP is a growing group of more than 240 members governed by the LYP Board, which is comprised of 16 members. All active members at the LYP Contributor level and above are eligible to apply to join the LYP Board in the spring. Board members are required to attend monthly board meetings, serve on a committee, act as an ambassador for Lyric, attend annual LYP fundraising events, and actively promote and sell tickets to their networks. Learn more about our LYP Board.

• Membership Fees and Contributions

  Why are membership fees split between a contribution and dues?

  Fees at the LYP Member level and above are split between dues and contribution. Dues cover operations such as administrative costs and food and beverage at our many events offered throughout the year and are not tax deductible. The contribution portion of membership directly supports The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center artist development program at Lyric.

  Where is my contribution directed?

  As the next generation of Lyric supporters LYP is passionate about creating a sustainable environment for the future of opera. The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center prepares emerging singers and apprentice coaches for careers in opera by providing unique, comprehensive training. Support of the Ryan Opera Center is a key part of the mission and growth of LYP as we not only support these talented artists for their skill but also as vibrant young professionals themselves.

  Do you offer a payment plan for my membership fees?

  Yes, monthly payment plans are available in $25 installments for the contribution portion of your membership. Dues are not eligible for payment plans and are not tax-deductible. Payment plans can be arranged only over the phone. Contact the LYP Office at 312.827.5656 to set up your payment plan.

  My employer offers to match charitable contributions. Can I count that toward my LYP membership?

  Yes, depending on your employer’s policy, the contribution portion of your membership is fully eligible for a matching gift. Contact your employer to see if your gift qualifies. Matching gifts are an easy way to potentially double, if not triple, your contribution and unlock even more access.

  Can I make a contribution beyond the highest membership level?

  Yes! With any cumulative gift of $300 or more, you will enjoy the donor engagement opportunities at the LYP Associate level as well as those of a Lyric annual donor. Find out how to expand your support for Lyric and the Ryan Opera Center by exploring the LYP Sponsorship opportunities section of our webpage.

• Programming and Events

  What type of programming does LYP offer?

  Aside from discounted tickets to Lyric performances aligned with our Medley Social Series, we engage our members through educational programming such as our Cocktails & Conversation series, professional networking opportunities with other Chicagoland young professional organizations, volunteer opportunities, and unique social events such as our marqee annual Halloween Masquerade fundraiser in the fall!

  Are these events free if I’m a member?

  Yes, a number of exclusive events hosted by LYP are free for members at the LYP Member level and above. Additionally, LYP members have access to discounted tickets to Lyric fundraising events, like the Halloween Masquerade.

  Can I bring a friend to an LYP event who’s not a member?

  Of course! As part of our mission to build the next generation of Lyric supporters, we encourage you to bring your friends and introduce them to Lyric. Guest fees may apply.

  When’s your next event?

  Check out our events page or visit our Facebook page to see our upcoming events. We’d love for you to join us!

  What’s the Halloween Masquerade?

  It's a party with a purpose! Halloween Masquerade is the Lyric Young Professionals’ marquee fall fundraising event. Benefiting the Ryan Opera Center, this event welcomes more than 300 exquisitely costumed guests to the opera house for an extravagant evening of live music, dancing, and indulging with Chicago’s elite. Check out pictures from the 2018 masquerade on our Facebook page.

  It sounds like you offer a lot of programming. What is the best way to stay up-to-date with everything going on?

  LYP members at all levels receive monthly e-newsletters highlighting upcoming LYP events and volunteer opportunities.

• Staying Connected

  Can I follow LYP on social media?

  Yes! We’re a young professionals group. Social media is our middle name!* Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date on all things LYP!

  *Social media is not our middle name. We don’t really have a middle name, but if we did, we guess it would be Young, first name Lyric, last name Professionals.

  Where does LYP rank among the other young professional organizations in Chicago?

  We're so happy you asked! LYP was recently named one of the "11 Best Young Professionals Groups in Chicago" by Make it Better.

  Does LYP have visibility beyond the opera house?

  Yes! Check out these publications below:

  "11 Best Young Professionals Groups in Chicago"
  "Arts Groups Tweak Sights, Aiming for a Younger Crowd"
  "Fancy pants: What modern black-tie looks like"
  "Lyric Opera is talking 'bout their generation"
  "Why nonprofits are holding Halloween-themed fundraisers"
  "5 Spooky Shindigs"
  CS Magazine December 2017 Edition
  CS Magazine LYP Halloween Feature

• Medley Subscription Series

  What is the Medley Series?

  A subscription series package offered exclusively to LYP members at the LYP Member level and up. This series allows LYP members to choose from a selection of dates and build a personalized subscription package of three or more operas for $35* each. A minimum of three different opera titles is required to initiate a Medley subscription, and the same title may not appear more than once in a series.

  ^{*One-time $6 subscription order fee not included.
  *$3 - $4 historic building fee per ticket not included.}

  Which performances are included in the Medley subscription series?

  Access the most currently available Medley performance dates here.

  Where will my Medley seats be located?

  Medley subscriptions can be purchased throughout the house, with the following restrictions: No aisle seats; No Main Floor Prime, Main Floor 1, Main Floor 2, Upper Balcony 1, Upper Balcony 2.

  How do I purchase a Medley subscription series?

  Once you are a qualifying member, log in to your account on lyricopera.org. The link to purchase your series will be on your My Account page. 

  Can I bring my friends?

  As a medley subscriber you are entitled to a limited number of additional tickets for friends and family during the course of the year.

  May I exchange my Medley tickets?

  Yes! Free exchanges (made more than 5 days in advance of your performance) are one of the perks of being a subscriber. Exchanges can be made by calling Audience Services at 312.827.5600; your new date must also be a valid LYP Medley series date of the same title. If exchanged fewer than 5 days in advance, fees will apply.

  What if I want to purchase tickets for a performance or production outside of the Medley series?

  As a subscriber, you receive a 10% discount off of the standard ticket price on additional opera and musical tickets during the season. The $35 Medley price does not apply to performances outside of the Medley series.