The Chelsea Symphony

Upending the traditional hierarchy of the classical orchestra: musicians are featured soloists, conductors, composers, and administrators. Through this collaborative model, The Chelsea Symphony provides professional development opportunities while performing inspiring concerts of music both old and new.

Founded in 2005, The Chelsea Symphony has performed in traditional concert venues such as Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall, the United Nations, Bargemusic, Symphony Space, and the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and is proud to continually broaden its reach into non-traditional spaces. Recent projects include an ongoing outreach initiative at Rikers Island Correctional Facility, going into its third season, and a mainstage featured performance at the American Museum of Natural History's EarthFest. TCS counts its work for the fashion industry, the BBC America Blue Planet II activation (January 2018), and the four-year partnership with the Golden Globe-winning Amazon Original Series Mozart in the Jungle amongst its proudest achievements.

As a champion of new music, a competition for early-career composers was founded in 2015, adjudicated by Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony and music director of the All-Star Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz. Nearly every concert features a work by a living composer; the orchestra has given the world premiere of over fifty compositions.

The Chelsea Symphony is known for its intimate performances, excellent musicianship, and innovative programming.