Steelpan Player Jaden Teague-Núñez Wins 2024 CSO Young Artists Competition

Teague-Núñez is the first steelpan soloist to enter — much less win — the competition.

CSO Cellist David Sanders to retire after nearly 50 years

Sanders was the last active member of the legendary Frank Miller-helmed CSO cello section.

Pictures at an Exhibition

Ken-David Masur — music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago — takes the Millennium Park stage.

Esme Arias-Kim, 17, Wins 2023 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artist Competition

The 17-year-old violinist claimed first prize with her performance of Ernest Chausson’s Poème for violin and orchestra.

15-Year-Old Pianist Noah Kim’s Saint-Saëns Wins Him the 2022 CSO Young Artists Competition

The first movement of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 — with its “unique suspenseful opening” — secured the young artist the prize.

CSO Announces Winter/Spring 2022 Concerts

Music director Riccardo Muti will conduct music by Beethoven, Price, Glass, and Montgomery while welcoming guest artists like Anne-Sophie Mutter, Leif Ove Andsnes, and Mitsuko Uchida.

Prokofiev, Hahn, Lang Lang Headline CSO’s 2021-22 Return To Stage

The CSO announces an array of concerts from September to January.

Maestro Muti Mentors Chicago Teen Musicians… Virtually

The CSO’s music director made a remote return to the Windy City on Wednesday to lead an online masterclass with fellows from Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative.

With Centennial Concert Canceled, Civic Orchestra to Present Virtual Performance

The 35-minute program features an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, stitched together from more than 60 separate remote recordings of Civic musicians.

Violinist Isabella Brown Wins 2020 Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition

On Saturday, March 7, four young artists competed for a dream opportunity: to perform with the CSO. With her performance of the first movement of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major, violinist Isabella Brown won the competition.

What It’s Like To Perform With Yo-Yo Ma… on a Flute Made From a Gun

This is no normal flute. Civic Orchestra’s Alexandria Hoffman explains how the gunbarrel flute was made, and how she came to play it with Yo-Yo Ma.

Meet Lina González-Granados, the CSO’s New Solti Conducting Apprentice

Between February 2020 and June 2021, Lina González-Granados will have the opportunity to study and work with Maestro Muti, conduct the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and participate in cultural activities and outreach throughout the greater Chicago area.

‘Come as You Are’: Ken-David Masur on Building Community With Civic Orchestra

For Ken-David Masur, artistry is just one aspect of a successful career in classical music; community engagement and outreach are of equal importance in building both a thriving artist and a flourishing orchestra.

14-year-old flutist Rosie Wang wins 2019 Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition

Many musicians dream of performing on the stage of Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition makes this dream come true for one young musician every year. On Saturday, February 23, four young musicians competed on that famous stage for the opportunity to perform with the CSO during the 2019-2020 season. …

Riccardo Muti Conducts CSO, Civic in Free ‘Concert for Chicago’

Riccardo Muti, addressing the 10 thousand-plus crowd, remarked that “all 3 pieces connect the desire of freedom, libertà, liberty!”

Yo-Yo Ma Performs at South Side’s St. Sabina Church to Raise Awareness About Gun Violence

Yo-Yo Ma, the CSO’s creative consultant, learned about the decades-long commitment to social justice and outreach within the Faith Community of St. Sabina, and wanted to see how he could honor its work through music.

Yo-Yo Ma, CSO’s ‘Concert for Peace’ Takes a Stand against Violence at South Side’s St. Sabina Church

“Yo-Yo Ma wanted to meet with me, and I thought it was a joke,” Reverend Michael L. Pfleger said to an audience of over 1,000 people at St. Sabina Church.

Yo-Yo Ma, Civic Musicians to Present Benefit ‘Concert for Peace’ at St. Sabina Church

Net proceeds from the remaining ticket sales will benefit St. Sabina’s Strong Futures employment program, which currently serves 50 young people ages 17-26 by providing training, mentorship, and other services.

Meet CSO Solti Conducting Apprentice Erina Yashima

For ten weeks each year, Erina Yashima works directly with Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti and leads the Civic Orchestra.

The Single Most Important Piece of Advice Cellist Yo-Yo Ma Has for Young Musicians Today

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is not only one of the world’s most renowned musicians; he’s also a passionate advocate for using the power of music to create community.

Pianist Mary Sauer Retires from Chicago Symphony Orchestra After 57 Years of Service

Sauer began her long tenure with the CSO in 1959 when Music Director Fritz Reiner invited her to perform with the orchestra. During the 1967-68 season, Music Director Jean Martinon officially added her to the roster. She was named principal piano at the start of the 2000-01 season.

$32 Million to the CSO

Chicago-based Sam and Helen Zell acknowledged a $17 million dollar gift from the Zell Family Foundation for the endowment of the position currently held by music director Riccardo Muti.