Guest artists of the CCO have included cellists Peter Wiley, Joshua Roman and Lynn Harrell; pianists Claude Frank, Emanuel Ax, Gary Graffman, Vladimir Feltsman, Alon Goldstein and Awadagin Pratt; sopranos Benita Valente and Sarah Coburn; tenor Stanford Olsen; conductor Robert Spano; saxophonist Rick VanMatre; and violinists Jaime Laredo and Chee-Yun.
Since 2012, CCO members have provided individualized and group instruction for students at Music for Youth in Cincinnati (MYCincinnati), a program in Price Hill immersing young children in classical music two hours per day, five days a week. MYCincinnati is based on the highly successful Venezuelan program El Sistema, which is designed to positively impact at-risk neighborhoods. In 2012, the ensemble joined the CCO on-stage for its final concert of the season, providing a side-by-side learning opportunity for musicians of both ensembles. The CCO and MYCincinnati have performed side-by-side in chamber and orchestral settings several times in the years since.
The CCO has performed at numerous venues over the years: the current and former SCPA, Palace Theatre, Playhouse in the Park, NKU’s Greaves Auditorium, Anderson Center, CCM and Memorial Hall, not to mention numerous churches and synagogues.
In addition to its downtown Cincinnati presence, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra is increasingly in demand by communities and concert halls around the region. From 2008-2013, the CCO 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.
The organization’s Pinnacle Award recognizes people whose generous contributions and influence have had a major impact on the Cincinnati arts scene. Recipients: Norma Petersen (2007), Melody Sawyer Richardson (2008), Ruth & Robert Conway Sr. (2009), Keith Lockhart (2010), John Harrison (2011), Sally & Michael D. Connelly (2012), David Herriman (2013), Rosemary & Mark Schlachter (2014), G. James and Ruthann Sammarco (2015), Barbara Bushman (2017) and Brett Stover (2018).
In 2013, the CCO created an annual Rising Star Award, which recognizes the next generation of arts supporters in Cincinnati. Recipients: Ainsley Kellar (2013), Melanie Chavez (2014) and Jodi Woffington (2015).
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.
Through the program CCO2GO, the Orchestra reaches out to the community through chamber music ensemble programs for schools, retirement communities, fundraisers, festivals and private events. The orchestra performs more than 30 total outreach performances in a variety of formats annually.
In 2015, the Orchestra launched a summer festival format – Summermusik. This 13 event festival featured a wide variety of artistic styles and performances at a variety of venues across the Tri-State. It received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Our Music Directors
The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra looks back on an impressive lineup of former music directors, including CCO founder Paul Nadler (1974-1984), Gerhard Samuel (1984-1991), Boston Pops music director Keith Lockhart (1992-2000), and most recently, Mischa Santora (2000-2014).
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 1976, the orchestra went professional with a subscription season and paid musicians. Nadler remained with the orchestra until 1984.
In 1984, Gerhard Samuel, then head of orchestral studies at CCM, became music director. During Samuel’s time, the chamber orchestra commissioned a work by Jennifer Stasack in honor of WGUC-FM’s (90.9) 30th anniversary.
In 1992, Keith Lockhart was selected as music director of the orchestra. He was then assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops and led the CSO’s Youth Orchestra. Lockhart became conductor of the Boston Pops in 1995 and is still in that position today.
In 1995, Kay George Roberts became the first female conductor of the CCO.
In February 1997, the CCO made its New York City debut in Town Hall under Keith’s direction. Lockhart remained with the CCO until 1999.
In 1999, the CCO’s 25th anniversary season, founder Paul Nadler returned and led a premiere by NKU composer-in-residence Philip Koplow. The work featured founding concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis and then-concertmaster James Braid.
In July 2000, Mischa Santora assumed position as CCO music director. A graduate of Curtis Institute of Music, Santora led a performance that opened the 30th anniversary season in 2004 with violinist Lara St. John. In addition to leading the CCO, Maestro Santora guest conducted many of the leading orchestras in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Santora’s final season with the CCO was the 40th Anniversary season in 2013-14.
In winter 2014, Kelly Kuo was appointed to the position of interim music director while the organization underwent a search for a permanent music director.
In 2016, Eckart Preu was appointed to the position of Music Director after a two-year search.