New Orleans Civic Symphony
The New Orleans Civic Symphony is a community orchestra made up of local volunteer musicians who are dedicated to performing classical music for the greater New Orleans area. Concerts are scheduled from September to June each year and are performed in the Recital Hall at the University of New Orleans' Performing Arts Center.
Rehearsals take place on Mondays at the same location, from 7:15 PM to 9:00 PM.
Join us!
If you are a classically trained musician and enthusiastic about playing
in a fun community symphony orchestra, come join us!
The New Orleans Civic Symphony rehearses on Monday nights,
from 7:15 to 9:00PM in the auditorium of the University of New Orleans' Performing Arts Center.
​The criteria for membership includes the firm commitment to make weekly rehearsals and an annual membership due ($50 regular fee/$25 students).​
If you are interested, fill out the form below.
Support the New Orleans Civic Symphony
The New Orleans Civic Symphony is a volunteer orchestra that relies strongly on donations from the community to perform live orchestral music with free admission in the Greater New Orleans Area. Our orchestra also acts as a home for music education students to gain experience while playing alongside experienced amateur and professional musicians. Your support helps our orchestra continue to operate and keeps the arts alive in our community.
Donations will be used to help us buy new sheet music or rent parts from publishers, compensate local professional musicians who support us during rehearsals and performances, afford instrument transportation costs to perform outside of UNO, sponsor students’ dues... and more.
Your generous donations to our 501(c)(3) organization are tax-deductible.
About
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The NEW ORLEANS CIVIC SYMPHONY (NOCS) is dedicated to providing a large variety of live orchestral music to the Greater New Orleans Area.
Founded in the 1940s, the NOCS has always been a venue for volunteer musicians – young and old – from all walks of life. The musicians meet simply for the enjoyment of making music together! The orchestra offers an opportunity for new, young talent to develop their skills as well as for older musicians to exhibit skills, which took many years to develop.
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In the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s, the orchestra operated under the auspices of the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD). In 1974, the group separated itself from NORD. The current tax exempt organization, New Orleans Civic Symphony, Inc. was established in June 1981, so it could receive donations and increase its range of activities.
Elections are taken annually to fill the positions of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and several members of the Board.
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The NOCS has three major goals. The first is to provide great, live classical music for area audiences regardless of their ability to pay. That is why there is no charge for the performances. The second is to allow musicians who love classical music but may still be students or have other jobs the opportunity to participate in a fully staffed community orchestra. The third goal is to be the best, most professional volunteer orchestra presenting music of the world’s greatest composers, along with new and experimental pieces.
In a relatively recent development, the NOCS invites each year’s winner of the New Orleans Piano Institute’s Concerto Competition and Keyboard Festival to join it in concert. The competition is sponsored by the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans. Among the soloists in this program were local favorites Harry Connick, Jr., and Wynton Marsalis among others.
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President: Pierre Vigué
Vice President: Jacqui Farrow
Secretary: Sarah McCall
Treasurer: Jerry Christopher
Music Librarian: Kennedi Johnson
Immediate Past President: Geoffrey PhilabaumMembers at large:
Adam Tatar
Janet Vila
Jason BezouMusical Director: Dr. Charles Taylor
