Christchurch Symphony Orchestra

Welcome to CSO | CSO | Recognised nationally, and celebrated locally, for the depth of its work, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra believes that music can enrich lives in different ways and aims to share these experiences with as many people as possible through providing a wide range of ways in which our audiences can discover, encounter, and enjoy great musical experiences, from classical masters to modern classics. The orchestra contributes to the cultural diversity of the community through a full and varied concert season, as the orchestra of choice for many touring artists and other arts organisations, including the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and through its extensive Community Engagement programme, including school residencies, collaborations with other organisations such as Jolt Dance, library and retirement village performances, and at civic events. In 2016 and 2019, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra received a Highly-Commended certificates in the Arts Access Awards for their collaboration with Christchurch dance company Jolt. The orchestra won the 2021 Arts Access Aotearoa Community Award for its work in Christchurch Men's Prison through the Platform programme. The orchestra was also twice a finalist in the New York Festival Radio awards, along with Radio New Zealand, and, in 2020, won the gold award for the live broadcast of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 2019 opening Lamb & Hayward Masterworks concert, Phoenix. The orchestra actively contributes to the cultural and musical diversity of the community through a full and varied concert season, as the orchestra of choice for many touring artists and other arts organisations, through the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s extensive Community Engagement programme, and at civic events, such as Sparks in Hagley Park.