Frederick Stock and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago 1920

Civic Alumni & History

Civic Orchestra musicians go on to perform with many of the most prestigious professional ensembles, in Chicago, across the country and around the world. There are currently fourteen Civic alumni in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and hundreds of alumni employed by other professional orchestras and cultural organizations. Explore the interactive features below to learn more about the Civic Orchestra legacy.


Learn more how the Civic experience has shaped the careers of young professionals over the last one hundred years.
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Read about the Civic Orchestra’s history.
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Explore the interactive map.
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Please take a moment to let us know what you’re doing now and how we may keep in touch to send you updates about the Civic Orchestra.
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Discover more on Experience CSO
Mildred Brown was a charter member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and became the first female concertmaster in the ensemble’s fourth season.
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When Justin Vibbard became principal librarian of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2023, returning to Symphony Center felt like coming home. Twenty years earlier, he had completed three seasons as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s first Library Fellow.
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"Civic wants everyone to feel welcome, and it is fulfilling to see how impactful our projects can be," says Civic Fellow Lina Yamin.
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"It’s hard to imagine my career path without the Civic Library Fellowship," says Caroline Eichler, who held this role from 2013 to 2016.
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