The Civic Musician Experience

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago trains young professional musicians for careers in symphony orchestras. Under the guidance of Principal Conductor Ken-David Masur, a faculty of coaches from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and luminary guest conductors, Civic Members refine their skills and gain experience through monthly rehearsals, coachings, performances and workshops.

The Civic Orchestra rehearses and performs at historic Symphony Center in downtown Chicago. The mainstage concert series typically consists of seven free performances in Orchestra Hall, as well as five or six performances in neighborhood venues including the South Shore Cultural Center and Chicago Public Schools. In addition, Civic members may audition for the Chamber Music Series and the Civic Mentors Program, which includes coaching of youth in Chicago area school bands and orchestras.

In general, each month of the season includes a concert cycle that is comprised of approximately five rehearsals and a performance at Symphony Center or a neighborhood venue. As part of each cycle, members participate in sectionals with CSO coaches. Most rehearsals take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and during the day on weekends, and the majority of concerts occur on Sundays at 2 p.m. and/or Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

Periodically throughout the season, members also participate in workshops with guest clinicians, master classes and select education and community engagement programming of the Negaunee Music Institute. Each member is required to play a placement audition at the start of and midway through the season.

Coaches from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Civic members are taught by current and former musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through sectionals, studio classes, master classes and mock auditions. Members also receive complimentary tickets to most CSO concerts and have the option of taking private lessons with a CSO musician.

Concertmaster
The Louis C. Sudler Chair, endowed by an anonymous benefactor
Principal Second Violin
Viola
Viola
Principal Cello
The Eloise W. Martin Chair
Assistant Principal Cello
The Adele Gidwitz Chair
Cello
The Blickensderfer Family Chair
Principal Bass
The David and Mary Winton Green Principal Bass Chair
Principal Flute
The Erika and Dietrich M. Gross Principal Flute Chair
Piccolo and Flute
The Dora and John Aalbregtse Piccolo Chair
Principal Oboe
Principal Clarinet
Assistant Principal Clarinet and E-flat Clarinet
The Governing Members Chair
Principal Bassoon
Assistant Principal Bassoon
Principal Horn
Principal Trumpet
The Adolph Herseth Principal Trumpet Chair, endowed by an anonymous benefactor
Assistant Principal Trumpet
Trumpet
The Bleck Family Chair
Trumpet
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library Chair
Bass Trombone and Trombone
Principal Tuba
The Arnold Jacobs Principal Tuba Chair, endowed by Christine Querfeld
Principal Timpani
The Clinton Family Fund Chair
Assistant Principal Timpani and Percussion
Principal Percussion
Principal Librarian
Sarah Bullen
Former Principal Harp
Mary Sauer
Former Principal Keyboard

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Ken-David Masur, Principal Conductor, Civic Orchestra of Chicago
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Civic Fellows receive training in artistic planning, music education and community engagement.
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Learn more about the Civic Orchestra audition process.
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Read about Civic’s history and reconnect with the Orchestra.
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Free and accessible concerts at Symphony Center and in neighborhoods across Chicago.
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