Our History


The CINCINNATI CIVIC ORCHESTRA was founded in 1929 and made its performance debut the following year.  In 1931 the Orchestra played for the dedication of the Netherland Plaza Hotel in the Hall of Mirrors, and again had the privilege of performing there in 1989.  Our Orchestra is one of the oldest all-volunteer groups in the United States and has provided Cincinnati area musicians with the opportunity to make music together for over eighty five years.  The Orchestra members have incorporated as a Non-Profit Organization and received Internal Revenue Service tax exemption.  As part of our charter, we are committed to continuing to provide Cincinnati area residents with FREE public concerts.

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     We are dedicated to providing people of all ages, talents and cultural backgrounds the opportunity to both enjoy and perform music.  The Civic Orchestra invites area musicians to join; auditions have never been required.  If you have an interest in playing with the Orchestra, please Contact us here for more information.  We rehearse weekly at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center.  Our concerts are in the Fall, during the Holiday Season, in the Winter and Spring.  During the Summer the Orchestra performs a series of outdoor pops concerts which feature the best of Broadway, light classics and patriotic marches.  We are featured at Oktoberfest in a special performance of waltzes.  Our members also perform special rehearsals at area retirement communities.