The Cincinnati Community Orchestra grew from the closing chords of an earlier ensemble called the Jewish Community Center Orchestra (late 1933 to early 1952). That orchestra performed the first of 39 concerts on march 15, 1934. It’s last performance was in April 1951. All but two of those concerts were conducted by Nicholas Gabor. It disbanded shortly after that last performance, but through the efforts of two members of that ensemble – Jack and Joyce VanWye – and after some intermediate organized chamber music activities, our “new” Cincinnati Community Orchestra was formed and began it’s first season with rehearsals in the fall of 1954 and a concert on May 15, 1955.
CCO’s 50+ seasons have involved eight regular conductors and ten one-time guest conductors. Although board and membership input is solicited, the planning of repertoire has always been the exclusive prerogative of these conductors. Cincinnati’s rich base of cultural life has made the availability of qualified and desirable soloists plentiful. Artists from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the College-conservatory of Music, and area churches have eagerly served as invited soloists. Thus throughout it’s 50+ seasons CCO has spotlighted 27 singers, 27 pianists, 2 organists, 36 string players, 15 woodwind players, 11 brass players, 2 percussionists, 11 choirs, 2 young string groups, 2 dance troupes, 3 narrators, an artist, and even some actors and circus performers. Many of CCO’s regular members have also served in various solo roles. CCO maintains a constant weekly rehearsal schedule (always on Mondays). It’s rehearsal and concert schedules have taken it to 40 venues in every corer of the greater Cincinnati area.
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments regarding the orchestra, its performances, or this website. We welcome all input to help us make this orchestra a growing part of the lives in the Cincinnati area.
Interested in becoming part of the orchestra? Contact the CCO office below.
Cincinnati Community Orchestra
7368 Quail Hollow Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45243
513-791-7815
Contributions
Cincinnati Community Orchestra
Attn: Treasurer
7271 Northgate Drive
Mainville, OH 45039