The CCO is a fully functioning, volunteer based 75-piece orchestra made up of local musicians, many of whom are professionally trained.
We are mostly avocational musicians - some engineers, some bankers, some music teachers, some doctors, some sales people, some college students, etc. but we come together each week for rehearsals and put on a great lineup of concerts - about 6-8 each year.
Dr. Geoffrey Whitehead is our conductor.
Dr. David L Cook is our current president
Approximately one-fourth of the active musicians are charter members; that is, they have played with CCO since the organization's inception.
Influences
The CCO is a civic orchestra of and for the citizens of the Charlotte region. Through an educational entertainment approach, the CCO is able to break down the traditional barriers that can limit exploration of symphony music by new listeners. While other orchestras tend to be guided by established precedents and higher overhead costs, the Civic is more flexible in adapting to the needs and moods of its potential audiences.
The CCO creates an approachable environment of exploring and learning about music, for its audience with enjoyable and informative concert discussions along with partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. Collaborative educational events encourage students to participate in the process of creating and learning about music through our Composers in Schools and other like initiatives. All of these factors provide the Charlotte Civic Orchestra phenomenal potential to reach new and diverse listeners who, in turn, may become new attendees for other arts organizations in the area.
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra invites you and your family to come out Sunday, May 3rd at 3:30pm, to Providence Rd for our classical concert featuring New Music.
Geoffrey Whitehead conducts the Charlotte Civic Orchestra in A New World performance...
Program: Featuring Dvorak's New World Symphony, Mark Lewis's Presence, and Haydn's Overture from The Creation
About the Charlotte Civic Orchestra:
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra began in 1986 as a course in symphonic music at Central Piedmont Community College under the direction of Melvin Sipe, legendary founding conductor of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. (The group’s name at the time was the Charlotte Repertory Orchestra, but was changed in 2002 to more accurately reflect the orchestra’s mission).
In March 1990, the group incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with a preliminary annual budget of approximately $1,500. Later that year Maestro Sipe retired, and in the spring of 1991, the CCO hired Dr. Stephen Plate as part-time music director. The orchestra’s first full season was 1987-88, and since then has dedicated itself to performing a diverse and challenging repertoire with an emphasis on American composers. The orchestra has also focused on dispelling the stereotypes that separate much of the general population from classical symphonic music. Ticket prices have remained low, performances have continued to feature a friendly, family oriented atmosphere, and outreach concerts are offered in various venues throughout the community. The first such performance was at West Charlotte High School in 1993, the year that the CCO received its first basic operating grant from the Arts and Science Council. At that time, the budget was approximately $35,000, and has since grown to over $100,000.
Alexander Kordzaia served as music director from 2002 through 2005 as the CCO continued to grow musically and gain a larger audience.
In 2007, Geoffrey Whitehead joined the CCO as our new music director. Today: Now entering its 19th year, the Charlotte Civic Orchestra continues to serve two distinct yet complimentary roles in the Charlotte Region: (1) providing an opportunity for accomplished vocational musicians to perform together; and (2) delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible cultural experiences to diverse audiences.
From a modest beginning, the CCO has evolved to become a sophisticated operation in terms of budget, scope, and reputation in the local cultural community and region. In 2004, the orchestra added an Education and Outreach Program through an Arts in Education grant from ArtsTeach. Funding: The Charlotte Civic Orchestra is a not-for–profit organization that receives an operating grant from the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Arts and Science Council as well as donations from individuals and corporate sponsors.
~ Sunday, October 14th at 3:30pm ~ Mozart & Mahler ~
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra invites you and your family to come out to our exciting community concert: Classical Romance conducted by Geoffrey Whitehead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ Program ~~~ ** Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - The Marriage of Figaro Overture
** Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 1 "Titan"
~~~ Date ~~~ This Sunday, October 14th, 2007 at 3:30pm
~~~ Location ~~~ Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte near Cottswold Village shops in Charlotte http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=51BE7E80A3531D95!237&encType=1
~~~ Tickets ~~~ Single $10 / Senior $8 / Student $8 / Entire Family $22
Buy online now www.charlottecivicorchestra.org or at the door.
As the president of the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, I would like to thank all of it's members and the people who help us to make the Civic what it is. For everyone who visits our site here, I hope you will find it enjoyable and you may find an interest in joining our ever growing group.
My hopes and desires are that we will continue on our path of success and that our road ahead will be paved with nothing but joy. I am so proud of you all!
Glad to see and hear the CCO on Myspace. I enjoyed the last concert with the Grace AME Zion choir - what a unique performance and such a diverse crowd. Hope to see you again on May 6th at FUMC uptown :-) Jason
