Founded in 1919 as the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago benefits from a musical alliance that is the only one of its kind among major American orchestras. A signature initiative of the CSO’s Institute for Learning, Access and Training, the Civic Orchestra provides promising career-bound musicians unique access to the musical resources of the CSO and hands-on training experience with CSO musicians and some of today’s most coveted conductors including CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti. Under the guidance of Principal Conductor Cliff Colnot and CSO Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant Yo-Yo Ma, Civic Orchestra musicians develop into exceptional orchestral players and engaged citizen musicians, cultivating their ability to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of music in the 21st century. Training Orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra