Through an array of experiences designed to build and diversify creative and professional skills, the Civic Fellowship program 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.
The 2024/25 Civic Orchestra season is generously sponsored by Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation, which also provides major funding for the Civic Fellowship program.
Civic Fellows perform with members of International Contemporary Ensemble and Douglas Ewart in a contemporary chamber concert at Epiphany Center for the Arts.
Elliot Mandel
Civic Fellows perform a chamber concert of music by living composers in Buntrock Hall.
Elliot Mandel
Civic Fellows perform in a Notes for Peace concert.
Elliot Mandel
Civic Fellows x Chicago Refugee Coalition concert in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center.
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.
Throughout the 2021/22 Season, 13 Civic Fellows participated in educational workshops, partnerships with Chicago Public Schools, Notes for Peace songwriting sessions and independent projects.
“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.”
Led by a team of five Civic Fellows, the Call for Scores project offers an opportunity to discover and perform exciting new pieces by contemporary composers. The program will be available to stream for free on CSOtv beginning on June 17.
