Civic Orchestra of Chicago

Civic Orchestra of Chicago Radio Series - 13 one-hour programs.

Founded in 1919, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago is the only training orchestra affiliated with a major American orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Its principal goal is to recruit a diverse group of the very best pre-professional musicians and train them at the highest level as orchestra players committed to their craft and to the community. Their talent and enthusiasm has engendered great praise among critics. A recent review in the Chicago Tribune called the Civic "…such an accomplished ensemble of young musicians that it no longer seems appropriate to call them a training orchestra..."

Recruited from the best music schools in the country and around the world, these diverse young musicians are given the incredible opportunity to be mentored by musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor, Cliff Colnot. They are committed to developing their ensemble playing at the highest level. You can hear their dedication in what the Chicago Tribune calls "remarkable, even stunning" performances.

Civic alumni have joined orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Louisville orchestras; the Los Angeles Philharmonic; the San Francisco, Boston, Pittsburgh, Houston, Baltimore, Saint Louis and National symphonies; the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago orchestras; and many other symphony orchestras around the world.

In the spring of 1997, this 88-year old organization made its first radio appearance to a national audience via the WFMT Radio Network. More than 90 stations with a total survey audience of over 43 million broadcast the series.

Broadcast Schedule >