The CSO had myriad deals to get you in the door this year:

• $5 tickets: Two $5 ticket offer concerts this season netted almost 3,000 people. The CSO plans to repeat the $5 tickets next season.

• $5 for kids: Kids ages 6-18 could attend CSO Family Sundays series for $5.

• Free food: The Thursday series included a free dinner buffet.

• College Nights: A $10 ticket included the concert and after-party with music director Paavo J”rvi. There was also a "Free Freshmen" night.

• Parties for young professionals: CSO Encore held pre- and post-concert parties.

• You could get half-price "Ziptix" in person, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. day of show (or the previous day for Friday morning or Sunday concerts).

• This year, you could buy discounted tickets (seniors and students) by phone and on the CSO's Web site, www.cincinnatisymphony.org. You can buy CDs online; soon, you'll be able to get other CSO merchandise there, too (sweat shirts, mugs).

• Extreme seats: You could sit in the closest seats to the stage for $8.

• Educators and private music teachers got discounts.

• Groups of 10 or more got discounts (call 744-3590 for group sales).

• Subscribers could bring two friends to the symphony.

• Members of Enjoy the Arts/START (for full-time students and young adults through age 30) received half-price tickets and subscription discounts. (To join, call 621-4700 or visit www.etastart.com.)

• Former concert attendees were offered backstage tours and other perks to come back.

• CSO staff filled Music Hall's lobby with "enhancements," such as preconcert entertainment, from harpists to Harleys, the Bravo Shop (now open after the concert) and CD signings by guest artists and maestro J”rvi.

- Janelle Gelfand