Civic Orchestra of Chicago
The Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s 2026/27 Season is filled with timeless classics, ambitious modern works and everything in between. The sounds of revolution and resilience weave through several programs, featuring Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 (The Year 1905) and Sibelius’ Finlandia. Mythic and magical storytelling lies at the heart of Stravinsky’s The Firebird, Debussy’s The Sunken Cathedral, Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe and Mazzoli’s Orpheus Undone. From personal adversity come passionate symphonies by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Dora Pejačević. And Civic takes you across the globe — from the Nordic soundscapes of Nielsen and Sibelius to the spirited Latin rhythms of Gabriela Ortiz and Gabriela Lena Frank.
Tickets become available two weeks before each Civic Orchestra concert. Sign up for email reminders.
Civic Orchestra at Symphony Center
Led by some of the world’s most renowned conductors, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago performs dynamic programs that include monumental classics and contemporary masterworks.
Finlandia & Beethoven Eroica
Monday, Oct 26, 7:30
Ken-David Masur opens the Civic season with revolutionary works by Beethoven and Sibelius and music by Charles Ives and J.E. Hernández based on America’s pluralistic ideals.
Shostakovich 11
Monday, Nov 16, 7:30
Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony is a musical depiction of 1905’s Russian Revolution. Michael Sanderling leads this gripping work, which sounds a warning to the future.
Mozart 40 & Tchaikovsky Pathétique
Monday, Jan 11, 7:30
Plunge into the worlds of Mozart and Tchaikovsky at their most impassioned and fatalistic. Distinguished conductor Hans Graf leads late symphonies by the two titans of orchestral music.
Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition Finals
Saturday, Jan 16, 2:00
Finalists of the Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition perform in the final round in Orchestra Hall, accompanied by the Civic Orchestra and led by Robert Kahn.
Civic Orchestra Brass & Percussion
Monday, Feb 8, 7:30
Musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago perform a special brass and percussion concert led by guest conductor and Chicago Symphony Orchestra trombone Michael Mulcahy.
Debussy, Mazzoli & The Firebird
Monday, Mar 1, 7:30
Ken-David Masur leads a journey through myth and folklore with Stravinsky’s glittering fairy-tale ballet, Debussy’s vision of an underwater cathedral and Mazzoli’s ode to Orpheus.
IMPACT
Friday, Mar 12, 6:30
Enjoy a showcase of extraordinary performances by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, musicians from the CSO, Percussion Scholarship Program students and more.
Don Juan & Nielsen 2
Monday, Apr 5, 7:30
José Luis Gómez makes his Civic podium debut leading Strauss’ breakthrough score, Frank’s celebration of an Incan warrior dance and Nielsen’s symphonic character portrait.
Ravel Daphnis and Chloe
Monday, May 3, 7:30
Tianyi Lu makes her Civic podium debut conducting Ravel’s intoxicating ballet suite, Pejačević’s lush wartime symphony and Fisher’s salute to a great Polynesian navigator.
Civic Fellows & Chicago Refugee Coalition
Wednesday, May 19, 7:00
Join the Civic Orchestra Fellows and participants from the Chicago Refugee Coalition in a special concert that shares and celebrates cultural identities through music and storytelling.
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Monday, June 7, 7:30
Carlos Miguel Prieto leads three bravura showpieces, anchored by Bartók’s enthralling late masterpiece, Barber’s wartime tour de force and Ortiz’s tribute to Mexican folklore.
Young Composers Initiative Finale Concert
Friday, June 11, 7:00
Musicians of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago perform world premieres by participants of the CSO’s Young Composers Initiative.
Civic Orchestra in the Community
Hear the Civic Orchestra in your neighborhood at one of these community venues throughout Chicagoland.
Epiphany Center for the Arts
Notes for Peace
Saturday, Oct 17, 2:00
Civic Fellows, families of Purpose Over Pain and guest artists present original songs of tribute for loved ones lost to gun violence.
South Shore Cultural Center
Finlandia & Beethoven Eroica at South Shore Cultural Center
Sunday, Oct 25, 3:00
Ken-David Masur opens the Civic season with revolutionary works by Beethoven and Sibelius and music by Charles Ives and J.E. Hernández based on America’s pluralistic ideals.
Lincoln-Way East High School
Shostakovich 11 at Lincoln-Way East High School
Sunday, Nov 15, 6:00
Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony is a musical depiction of 1905’s Russian Revolution. Michael Sanderling leads this gripping work, which sounds a warning to the future.
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Bach Marathon Finale
Monday, Dec 14, 7:00
Celebrate the season in true Baroque splendor as Ken-David Masur leads Civic musicians in an evening of Bach’s most sumptuous, varied and elegant instrumental works.
Epiphany Center for the Arts
Civic Fellows Chamber Music at Epiphany Center for the Arts
Sunday, Jan 24, 6:30
Civic Fellows present a concert of music by living composers with artistic leadership from Peabody Award-winning producer and broadcaster Nadia Sirota.
Wentz Concert Hall
Debussy, Mazzoli & The Firebird at Wentz Concert Hall
Sunday, Feb 28, 6:00
Ken-David Masur leads a journey through myth and folklore with Stravinsky’s glittering fairy-tale ballet, Debussy’s vision of an underwater cathedral and Mazzoli’s ode to Orpheus.
Epiphany Center for the Arts
Civic Fellows & Alarm Will Sound at Epiphany Center for the Arts
Friday, Mar 26, 6:30
Civic Fellows collaborate with Grammy Award-winning ensemble Alarm Will Sound in a concert exploring innovation and expression between electronic and acoustic sound worlds.
Vernon Hills High School
Don Juan & Nielsen 2 at Vernon Hills High School
Sunday, Apr 4, 2:00
José Luis Gómez makes his Civic podium debut leading Strauss’ breakthrough score, Frank’s celebration of an Incan warrior dance and Nielsen’s symphonic character portrait.
Kenwood Academy
Ravel Daphnis and Chloe at Kenwood Academy
Sunday, May 2, 2:00
Tianyi Lu makes her Civic podium debut conducting Ravel’s intoxicating ballet suite, Pejačević’s lush wartime symphony and Fisher’s salute to a great Polynesian navigator.
Community venue to be announced
Notes for Peace Reunion
Saturday, May 22, 2:00
Notes for Peace celebrates its ninth anniversary with a reunion concert of original songs of tribute for loved ones lost to gun violence.
Benito Juárez Community Academy
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra at Benito Juárez Community Academy
Sunday, June 6, 2:00
Carlos Miguel Prieto leads three bravura showpieces, anchored by Bartók’s enthralling late masterpiece, Barber’s wartime tourdeforceand Ortiz’s tribute to Mexican folklore.
Tickets become available two weeks before each Civic Orchestra concert, but you can reserve tickets today with a donation! Civic donors receive reserved prime seating at any of the ensemble’s concerts in Orchestra Hall during the season, as well as opportunities to build closer connections with Civic musicians. A gift to the Civic Orchestra supports the rigorous instruction that musicians receive throughout the season and helps to ensure that Civic performances are available to all audiences for free or at a minimal cost.
Sponsors
The 2026/27 Civic Orchestra season is generously sponsored by Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation, which also provides major funding for the Civic Fellowship program.