Civic Orchestra of Chicago 2023/24 Season
Join the Civic Orchestra of Chicago — the CSO’s prestigious training ensemble for early-career musicians — for extraordinary performances at Symphony Center and in communities across Chicago.
In one of its most ambitious and creative seasons to date, the Civic Orchestra will present an inspiring blend of contemporary works by diverse composers, pieces written by former CSO Mead Composers-in-Residence and familiar orchestral favorites. Principal Conductor Ken-David Masur leads three programs, and several recent Civic guest conductors make return engagements.
Explore the season below. Free tickets become available two weeks before each Civic Orchestra concert.
Civic at Symphony Center
Led by some of the world’s most renowned conductors, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago performs dynamic programs that explore themes through the pairing of monumental classics with contemporary masterworks.
- October 23, 2023 - Symphonic Dances: Gaffigan Conducts Rachmaninov
- November 20, 2023 - Natural Wonder: Muñoz Conducts Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony
- January 8, 2024 - New World Perspectives: Masur Conducts Dvořák 9
- February 12, 2024 - Fantastic Zoology: with Eighth Blackbird & González-Granados
- February 24, 2024 - Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition Finals: Dickson Conducts
- April 8, 2024 - Prokofiev 5: Masur Conducts
- April 29, 2024 - Shostakovich 4: Chicago Youth in Music Festival Finale with Guerrero
- June 3, 2024 - Civic & Ryan Opera Center: Kalb Conducts
Civic in the Community
Hear the Civic Orchestra in your neighborhood at one of these community venues throughout the city of Chicago.
- November 19, 2023 - Natural Wonder: Muñoz Conducts Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony (Senn High School)
- December 4, 2023 - Bach Marathon Finale: Masur Conducts (Fourth Presbyterian Church)
- January 7, 2024 - New World Perspectives: Masur Conducts Dvořák 9 (South Shore Cultural Center)
- March 11, 2024 - Celebrating Women Composers: Grams Conducts Montgomery, Brouwer and Price (Hinsdale Central High School)
- April 7, 2024 - Prokofiev 5: Masur Conducts (Kenwood Academy)
In addition, Civic Orchestra chamber ensembles will perform more than 16 concerts in neighborhood venues throughout the city. Explore the lineup »
Civic Fellows Chamber Music
Be delighted and inspired by these contemporary chamber music concerts curated and performed by the Civic Fellows.
- January 28, 2024 - Civic Fellows Chamber Concert (Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center)
- May 10, 2024 - Civic Fellows Chamber Concert (Epiphany Center for the Arts)
Free tickets become available two weeks before each Civic Orchestra concert.
Sign up now Explore the 2023/24 Season calendar
Free 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 2023/24 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.
Enjoy performances featuring musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago filmed at Symphony Center.
Sponsors
Major funding for the Civic Fellowship program is provided by Lori Julian for The Julian Family Foundation.
Major support for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago also provided by Robert and Joanne Crown Income Charitable Fund; Leslie Fund, Inc.; Judy and Scott McCue; Barbara and Barre Seid Foundation; The George L. Shields Foundation, Inc., the Maval Foundation, and an anonymous donor.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
