Chicago Composers Orchestra

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Chicago Composers Orchestra

Chicago’s New Music Orchestra

Hailed as “…an energized, risk-taking orchestra that advocates for contemporary music in such a way as to make composers, performers, and listeners feel part of the same engaged community" (Chicago Tribune), the Chicago Composers Orchestra is one very few orchestras to be solely devoted to contemporary music. The orchestra’s mission is to present music by living composers, and to extend the orchestral tradition to be open, vibrant, and diverse, and to speak to our lives today.

09/28/2026

pathways | reflection
Saturday October 24 at 7:30pm | Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University

Experience the personality and uniqueness of new American orchestral music in an evening featuring works by Aaron Israel Levin, Nina Shekhar and Alissa Voth alongside the world premiere of Fabian Leung’s new clarinet concerto, performed by Zachary Good. A program filled with fresh perspectives, compelling sounds and the extraordinary musicianship that makes new music come alive.

Don’t miss before the downbeat, CCO’s free pre-concert talk, at 6:45pm in Gage Gallery! Enjoy complimentary w**e & snacks, meet the composers and learn about the pieces before you experience them.

08/18/2026

cue the new season!

Our 16th season is packed with what CCO does best: fresh new music, bold ideas, and the unique voices of living composers. Across the season, we’ll present four world premieres, two featured soloists, and a return the beautiful & historic Ganz Hall, showcasing the extraordinary depth of musicianship right here in Chicago. Plus, plenty of musical surprises along the way.

Explore the full 2026-2027 season below. Save the date for pathways | reflection on October 24 - Tickets on sale now!

Fabian A. Leung || 梁翱麟 Zachary Good Alissa Voth Benjamin Burney Aaron Israel Levin Nina Shekhar Noah Jenkins TJ Cole

04/14/2026

THIS SATURDAY! A soul-stirring program in store for you!

Rehearsals are underway and we are so excited for the works we have in store for you. Fast track your concert experience by reserving your tickets online today!

On the program: World premiere CCO commission, Antiphonals by Brazilian-born composer Igor Santos featuring Jonathan Hannau, piano!

From the Composer:

Antiphonals, which translates from the Greek as “voice against voice,” unfolds its concept in three ways. First, it presents a dialogue between the voices of piano and the orchestra. Second, it engages the form as a kinda of dialogue, through alternating tableaux. Lastly, and most prominently, it explores a dialogue of harmonic language: the meta-piano (piano + electronics) operates within hybrid microtonal systems that stand in direct contrast to the harmonies of the orchestral sound world.

The work is dedicated to pianist and composer Jonathan Hannau, with whom I have enjoyed many collaborations, and to the CCO family, in recognition of their remarkable dedication. I am grateful to have been selected for this commission and to revisit Chicago (!), which was my home base for many years.

Don't miss before the downbeat, CCO's free pre-concert talk, at 6:45pm! Enjoy complimentary w**e & snacks, meet the composers and learn about the pieces before you experience them.

before the downbeat sponsored by Linda Berna.

04/06/2026

Hope we see you for an evening of world premieres SATURDAY, 4/18! A few staccato notes as we welcome you to our concerts:

Frequently Asked Questions

👖What should I wear? No need to get too dressed up - we’re not a stuffy crowd. Dress cute but be comfortable! We’ll call it « city casual ».
⏱️How long will the concert last? 60 - 75 minutes
🏃🏽‍➡️Can I arrive late? Traffic happens. Arriving a little late is A-OK; enter quietly when an usher gives you the OK or between pieces when you hear clapping.
✏️Do you offer student tickets? Yes! $15 student tickets are available!
🦽Is the venue accessible? Yes! St James Cathedral is ADA compliant and has an accessible entrance located on Huron St.

What’s the best way to enjoy these new works? Join us for our pre-concert talk! Get your tickets today! LINK IN BIO

04/04/2026

Two ✌️weeks from today - an evening of world premieres on 4/18! World premieres commissions by Angel Bat Dawid, Ahmed Al Abaca, Igor Santos and student composers from 🎼

On the program: World premiere CCO commission by Chicago-based composer Ahmed Al Abaca, Hummingbird.

From the composer:

My mother passed away half way through writing this piece. She was a complicated woman who had life long struggles, struggles that made it difficult for us to have balanced relationship. Even with all of that I saw my mother for who she was-a loving, funny, thoughtful, powerful woman. Instead of writing a piece that reflects on her struggles, I really just wanted to honor her by writing something beautiful, fun, engaging and sweet. She would sing “Jesus Loves Me” to me when I was a kid, listen for it-its sometime embedded in the orchestration other times its the main theme. During my mother’s service, my little cousin Robert wrote and recited a beautiful poem title “Hummingbird” - it is the best reflection on who my mother was and how much she meant to him. I felt it to be the perfect title to adopt for this piece. Love you mom.

Don’t miss before the downbeat, CCO’s free pre-concert talk, at 6:45pm! Enjoy complimentary w**e & snacks, meet the composers and learn about the pieces before you experience them.

before the downbeat sponsored by Linda Berna.

02/27/2026

Tickets for an evening of world premieres on sale now!

A beautiful tapestry of sound featuring three world premiere CCO commissions by Chicago-based composers Angel Bat Dawid, Ahmed Al Abaca, Brazilian-born composer, Igor Santos and world premieres by student composers from 🎶

As always, $15 student tickets are available! 📚

Ticket link in bio 🎫

02/22/2026

Grateful to everyone who came out to Cocktails with CCO last night at 🎼🍸and to our wonderful performers, board and volunteers. The vibes were immaculate and we were feeling the love. Thanks to you, we not only met but EXCEEDED last night’s fundraising goal.

Don’t forget to tag us in your photos! 📸

Missed the event but still want to contribute? There’s no time like the present - link in bio to donate 💕

02/18/2026

This Saturday Night - Cocktails with CCO! 6-10pm at Clara!

Celebrate 15 seasons of CCO with a cocktail, mocktail, live performances, a killer silent auction & prizes! Come out and have a drink for a good cause, it’s as simple as that - Bar sales benefit CCO!

🌟No tickets or entry fee - stop by anytime between 6-10pm:
Light bites & dessert
Performances will be underway by 7pm
Silent auction to close at 9:30pm

👉2027 W North Ave ←- Right next to the Damen Blue Line

01/14/2026

Save the Date! Join Chicago Composers Orchestra at ! Enjoy live chamber performances by CCO artists while sipping a craft cocktail or mocktail! Bar sales benefit CCO!

Light bites and dessert will be served along with stellar silent auction prizes & giveaways. Bar sales to benefit CCO - Chicago’s largest new music ensemble!

Clara is an artist-owned bar and performance hub in Chicago‘s vibrant Wicker Park, celebrating the fusion of craft cocktails and exceptional artistry. Spacious + welcoming, you are sure to fall in love with this amazing gem, conveniently located next to the Damen Blue Line!

No entry fee. Bring a friend (or twenty), grab a drink & enjoy a cozy evening with your friends at CCO!

📌 Learn more & see the event: chicagocomposersorchestra.org/cocktails
All proceeds support Chicago Composers Orchestra and help us continue creating and presenting new music.

12/30/2025

As we look to the New Year, we'd like to say THANK YOU for seeing us to our 15th season! Over the years, we’ve played bird whistles, ocarinas, otamatones, and accompanied rappers, dancers & electric guitarists. Some of us have ridden bicycles while performing. We’ve walked on broken glass (don't worry - no musicians were injured in the making of that performance). We’ve even performed original works by elementary school students with our latest iteration of Drawn Together this past spring.

An exciting update! Hearing about the previous success of Drawn Together, Arts Midwest as well as the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation has provided funding to ensure that CCO can bring back Drawn Together again this April! We couldn't be happier to keep this fun & educational project going with our new community partner, MUSIC Inc.

With the support of our wonderful funders and folks like you, we hope to make Drawn Together a yearly tradition!

Address

Chicago, IL

Website

http://www.chicagocomposersorchestra.org/

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