The Chicago Chamber Orchestra, now in its 56th season, is the only professional orchestra in Chicago whose principal mission is to provide year-round admission-free concerts. The Orchestra’s concerts—presented in museums, churches and synagogues, public buildings and educational institutions—bring great music to many different citizen groups, for whom the rising cost of concert tickets ultimately makes the experience of great live music a luxury they otherwise could not afford. In addition to regular concerts at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, for radio and television broadcasts and on commercial recordings. The Orchestra is thus one of Chicago’s cultural ambassadors to the world. In 2002, Music Director, Dieter Kober named Associate Conductor, Edward Benyas, as Music Director Designate, to help lead this internationally acclaimed orchestra into its second half century.

The Chicago Chamber Orchestra’s distinguished repertoire of nearly five thousand compositions from the Baroque to the present, and the diversity of soloists drawn from its own ranks, including new as well as established artists of international renown, has drawn universal praise, including four ASCAP awards, awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Orchestra of the Year award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. The Orchestra’s mission is threefold: 1) To preserve and to cultivate the rich heritage of the chamber orchestra—from Bach, Handel, Haydn and Mozart to the composers of our day—at the highest artistic level, in year-round admission-free concerts; 2) To serve diverse audiences of all socio-economic levels—from young school children to senior citizens—with a varied repertoire of cultural, recreational and educational significance; 3) To provide employment and meaningful artistic outlets for professional musicians, qualified graduates of music conservatories, aspiring and experienced concert soloists and conductors, especially from Chicago.

For more information, go to www.chicagochamberorchestra.org.