About the WCO

No other arts organization in Wisconsin performs free for more people each year.

The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra is a team of musicians nestled in one of the most creative, caring, and daring cities in the country. Founded in 1960, the orchestra is built on a foundation of quality musicianship with top-tier musicians. As a smaller ensemble, we’re able to showcase music at an intimate level, providing attendees with a unique experience. Under the direction of Maestro Andrew Sewell, we make classical music accessible to our community from concert halls to Madison’s Capitol Square, reaching over 250,000 music lovers annually.

We are driven in our mission to strengthen communities through innovative, high-quality artistic experiences that entertain, inspire, and unite diverse audiences. And we’re passionate about creating a sustainable future through our strategic plan.

CORE ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING

Through our core artistic programming, audiences enjoy the four-decade tradition of Concerts on the Square^®, the Masterworks series at the Overture Center for the Arts, annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, educational programming and concerts for families and children that serve over 2000 youth each year and performing with local arts groups like Madison Ballet. In 2023, the WCO launched the Composer Collective series with a five-year, five-album project titled Musical Landscapes in Color with the goal of expanding the orchestral canon to include new works by living composers of color and engaging further with our community through partnerships like the UW-Odyssey Project to re-imagine community engagement, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

COLLABORATIONS ACROSS WISCONSIN

Through collaborations with regional performing arts groups and touring performances, the WCO extends its artistic programming to broader audiences and communities across Dane, Columbia, Jefferson, Waukesha, and Sauk counties. WCO airs its entire Masterworks series on Wisconsin Public Radio to 65,000 region-wide listeners. PBS Wisconsin annually broadcasts a Concerts on the Square® performance to a potential viewing audience of 537,000 residents statewide.

Youth & Education PROGRAMS

Committed to youth and education programs and mentorship, the WCO engages 2,000 Dane County children in grades 1–12 through our annual education and artistic development programs for young musicians.

CORE ENSEMBLE

Our core ensemble of 34 professional musicians is led by Andrew Sewell, WCO Maestro and Music Director for two decades and managed by nine administrative staff members. The orchestra is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors and supported by 100 active volunteers, who primarily assist with logistics and staffing for the WCO’s annual Concerts on the Square® series.