Canberra Symphony Orchestra

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra is the professional orchestra of the nation's capital, and is the largest performing arts organisation in the ACT. Founded in 1950, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has grown from amateur beginnings to its current position among Australia's most successful orchestras. The CSO's Chief Conductor & Artistic Director is Dr Nicholas Milton AM, who joined the orchestra in 2007. Since then, with the support of Artistic Patron ActewAGL, Milton's inspirational guidance and understanding of the Canberra audience has created many glorious and memorable moments on stage. Annual highlights include: The ActewAGL Llewellyn Series concerts, with regular attendees of up to 2,600 patrons per program The CSO Opera Gala and the Canberra Weekly Matinee Magic concerts, which are consistently sold-out The Shell Prom Picnic Concert, which is held every year on the lawns of Government House and has 5000 people enjoy Canberra's biggest and most splendid family picnic Symphony in the Park, which draws 15,000 people to Canberra's Stage 88 to celebrate Canberra Day CSO's Education programs, including ActewAGL Meet the Music, which engages thousands of ACT school children with symphonic music CSO Community and Regional Engagement, which shares the joy of music with aged care residents, and people with special needs CSO HeartStrings, which is an opportunity for CSO donors to give invitations to those living with disadvantage in our community to performances by the CSO for free.