The Milwaukee Community Orchestra (MCO) invites advanced beginners and skilled amateurs, ages 12 and older, to rehearse and perform in a welcoming and collaborative environment. If you can read music fluently and enjoy playing classical symphonic and pops repertoire, we’d love to have you — no audition required.
MCO’s full orchestra performs three concerts each season — fall, spring, and summer — and rehearses on Wednesday evenings. Our Community String Orchestra performs two concerts per season — fall and spring — and rehearses on Monday evenings. Musicians are welcome to participate in both ensembles if space is available.
Spring 2026 registration is open now!
As you register, please ensure you select the correct ensemble(s): Milwaukee Community Orchestra, String Orchestra, or both.
About MCO
MCO meets Wednesday nights from 7–9:30pm at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (325 W. Walnut St.) and will feature works by Smetana, Rachmaninoff, Bernstein, medleys from Fiddler on the Roof and Jurassic Park, along with a world premiere of a local composer. Our community choir joins us for our spring performance! Rehearsals start on Feb. 18 (with a break on April 1). The spring concert is on May 3 at 3:00pm. Sections are filling up fast, but there is still availability in most sections.
About String Orchestra (MCSO)
String Orchestra meets Monday nights from 7–9:30pm at Shorewood High School. We are playing works from Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Rutter and John Williams. It’s a fun and challenging program open to all violin, viola, cello and bass players. Rehearsals start on Feb. 2 (with a break on March 30). The spring concert is on April 26 at 3:00pm. We have room in all sections!
The registration fee is $129 for one ensemble or $245 for both. Online payments include an added convenience fee of $5 per ensemble. Checks can be made out to MCO and mailed to: MCO, c/o Kari Kraenzler, 1660 N. Prospect Ave. Unit 2804, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
If you sign up for a waitlisted section, do not make a payment unless directed to do so by an MCO staff member.