About CCO

Mission Statement

The CCO provides a vibrant and fresh musical experience in an intimate and informal setting for the seasoned patron and new audience. The CCO is committed to spreading the joy of music by providing high-quality classical music in an accessible manner through performance, community outreach and education. The orchestra's core values are artistic excellence, innovative programming, collaboration, flexibility and adaptability, accessibility and affordability, and fiscal responsibility.

About the CCO

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1974 and celebrating its 39th season in 2012-13, is widely recognized as one of the leading performing arts organizations in the Tri-State, providing a vibrant and fresh musical experience in an intimate and informal setting, for both the seasoned and novice concert patron. Under its music director Mischa Santora, the organization has established an impressive record of presenting highly creative programming. The CCO’s size allows for flexibility and creativity in programming, the ideal ensemble for presenting orchestral works from the Baroque and Classical eras, as well as commissioned works by contemporary composers.

Its performances include operatic and choral productions as well as innovative collaborations with renowned arts organizations like the VAE: Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble, Madcap Puppets, Cincinnati Ballet and The Mercantile Library, as well as a partnership with the newer Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts. The CCO and Madcap Puppets launched a uniquely innovative and wildly succesful production of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors in December 2012 and hope to continue this as an annual holiday event. The CCO’s trailblazing education program, Footnotes , incorporates subjects like math, geography and poetry into musical presentations for the students.

In addition to its downtown Cincinnati presence, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra is increasingly in demand by communities and concert halls around the region. Since 2008, the CCO has successfully served as Orchestra-In-Residence at the Anderson Center. In the 2011-2012 season, the orchestra made its celebrated debut performance in Wilmington’s historic Murphy Theatre with a concert combining music by Duke Ellington and Michael Daugherty in a performance with violinist Alexandre Da Costa. In the following season, the ensemble performed in venues across town including to a packed house at St. Catharine of Siena Church in Westwood, several sold out performances of Amahl and the Night Visitors in partnership with Xavier University, and a collaborative performance with VAE: Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble at a new venue for both organizations, Covenant First Presbyterian Church located in Downtown Cincinnati.

Special features of the CCO include Tune-up!  –   a pre-concert conversation which is an informal introduction to the concert program; intimate conversations by the Maestro with the audience during the performance; and free post-concert receptions with conductor, orchestra members and guest soloists.

The organization’s annual Pinnacle Award recognizes persons whose generous contributions and gifts have had major impact on the Cincinnati arts scene. Former recipients include Norma Peterson, Melody Sawyer Richardson, Keith Lockhart, Ruth and Bob Conway and John Harrison.

Winner of the 2009 Scripps-Corbett Award for Artistic Excellence, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra enjoys the support of ArtsWave, the Ohio Arts Council, and a wide pool of uniquely generous supporters, subscribers, fans, and friends. Additionally, the Orchestra’s Board of Trustees and its President serve as tireless advocates for this dynamic and flexible organization. The ensemble employs 32 musicians from the greater Cincinnati area whose dedication and artistry ensure energizing and inspiring performances.

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra has grown in size and scope to become one of the cultural cornerstones of the Greater Cincinnati area. The CCO is committed to spreading the joy of music by providing high-quality classical music in an accessible fashion, through performance, community outreach and education. 

Music Directors

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra looks back on an impressive lineup of former music directors, including CCO founder Paul Nadler, Gerhard Samuel, and most recently, Boston Pops Music Director Keith Lockhart.

Founded as a volunteer organization in 1974 by Paul Nadler, the artistic goal of the Chamber Orchestra is to perform music that is not generally heard when attending concerts presented by a large symphony orchestra, and thereby offer a unique musical experience to the listener.

In February 1997, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra made its New York City debut in Town Hall, under the direction of renowned conductor CCO Music Director Keith Lockhart, current conductor of the Boston Pops.

In July 2000, Mischa Santora assumed position as CCO Music Director. In addition to leading the CCO, Maestro Santora guest conducts many of the leading orchestras in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Partners

The CCO is proud to be a partner of Enjoy the Arts.