The Chicago City Wide Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to nurturing, facilitating, and promoting a community appreciation for symphonic music and the support of music as a lifelong avocation.
The orchestra provides an opportunity for talented Chicago area musicians of all ages and backgrounds to perform in a semi-professional orchestra through a variety of free concerts and programs that contribute to the cultural life of the community. The orchestra promotes individual growth in musicianship and the accomplishment of its members through mutual support.
Founded in 1947, The Chicago City Wide Symphony Orchestra is an all-volunteer community orchestra comprised of students and amateur, semi-professional and retired musicians of all ages from Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area. The orchestra performs concerts that are free and open to the public.
The orchestra encourages interested musicians to join us. There is no audition necessary. You should be comfortable playing our classical and light classical repertoire and have your own instrument (the orchestra maintains a limited number of string bass and percussion instruments for use by players). Seating is at the discretion of the Music Director.
“Sometimes the present creates the future by breaking the shackles of the past; but sometimes the past creates the future by breaking the shackles of the present. The Enlightenment and modernism are examples of the former, the Renaissance, and perhaps our time, are examples of the latter.”
Frederick Turner
Directions
The home of the CWSO is located in the Jefferson Park Field House at 4822 North Long Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60630. The Field House is at the corner of Higgins (Route 72) and Long Avenues in Jefferson Park and is conveniently reached by car or public transportation.
There is ample street parking around the park and side streets. The parking meters around the Field House are active 7 days a week under the City’s new meter rules. All meters are $1.00 (4 quarters) per hour. The meters along Higgins and Lawrence Avenues are active from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The meters on Long Avenue (in front of the Field House) are active from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM. In addition to the side streets, un-metered parking is also available along sections of the North side of Higgins Avenue and at the West end of the park along Linder Avenue (it is always wise to check the street signs and posting on the meters).
By Public Transportation
CTA and Metra
The Field House is a short walk from the combined CTA Blue Line and Metra Northwest Line Jefferson Park train station. There are also numerous bus lines serving Jefferson Park. For more information, please follow the CTA and Metra icon links above.
By Car
From the North (Edens Expressway I-94): Exit (41C) at Cicero Avenue (Route 50) and proceed South to Lawrence Avenue. Make a right turn onto Lawrence Avenue and proceed West to Long Avenue (one block West of Milwaukee Avenue). Make a right onto Long Avenue to the Field House.
From the Northwest (Kennedy Expressway I-90): Exit (84) at Lawrence Avenue and make a right at the light onto Lawrence Avenue. Proceed West to Long Avenue (one block West of Milwaukee Avenue). Make a right onto Long Avenue to the Field House.
From the South / East (Kennedy / Edens Expressway I-90/94): Follow the signs for the Kennedy (I-90) / O’Hare. Exit (84) at Lawrence Avenue (the first exit past the junction) and make a left at the light onto Lawrence Avenue. Proceed West to Long Avenue (one block West of Milwaukee Avenue). Make a right onto Long Avenue to the Field House.
Chicago City-Wide Symphony Orchestra 