Through an array of experiences designed to build and diversify creative and professional skills, the Civic Fellowship is a season-long program that empowers participants to realize their full potential as artistically excellent, civically engaged, collaborative and entrepreneurial musicians.
The program’s curriculum has four major pillars: artistic planning, music education, social justice and project management. Fellows serve as facilitators in projects like Notes for Peace, explore music by living composers, perform concerts at Symphony Center as well as in schools and communities across the city, mentor young musicians through the CSO-Connect program, design and implement independent projects, and more. Additionally, Fellows participate in enrichment activities including regular meetings as a cohort and professional development seminars with guest lecturers.
Civic Fellow J Holzen's “Transcendent Souls: A Celebration of Trans Identity and Sound” explores the intersection of trans and Christian communities through music.
The Civic Orchestra's annual call for scores project produced six pieces that were featured in a program presented May 17 in Buntrock Hall. The chosen composers gathered alongside Civic Fellows to showcase the selected compositions.
“The Civic Fellowship challenged me both musically and professionally,” said alumna Alexandria Hoffman. “Through Civic, I came into my own confidence as a musician, and I was prepared to be a leader in music and in the world in general.”
The Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s second CSOtv episode, titled Shared Reality and premiering on February 18, was curated by the Civic Fellows and features works by living composers.
"As a values-based program, the Civic Fellowship constantly urges us to think about the purpose of our music and whose lives we are impacting," says Civic Fellow Marian Mayuga.
