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Civic Orchestra of Chicago

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. Experience the breadth and variety of programming that Civic has to offer — from colossal symphonies that showcase the power of the full orchestra, to intimate contemporary chamber music concerts thoughtfully curated by the Civic Orchestra Fellows.


Civic Orchestra of Chicago 2026/27 season to be announced in September.


Learn more about the Civic Orchestra
2025/26 Season Civic Orchestra Roster
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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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Discover more on Experience CSO
Equity Arc Pathways and similar groups are essential to the future of classical music, says high-school senior and percussionist Rishab Jain: "They allow us to be on a level playing field where we can display our talents."
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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.
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Civic Fellow J Holzen's “Transcendent Souls: A Celebration of Trans Identity and Sound” explores the intersection of trans and Christian communities through music.   
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Principal conductor Ken-David Masur, principal conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, previews the ensemble's season-finale concerts and looks back at the orchestra's 2024/25 season.
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Support Civic

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 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.

Make a gift