Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestra

The Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestra are the orchestras of NC State University, based on Cates Avenue on campus. Community musicians and students play side by side, with area professionals in the principal string chairs, coaching the sections and providing high-level instruction to the players around them.

Both groups put contemporary and traditional classical music on the same program, arranged around a theme that ties the pieces to a larger idea. The Department of Music and the nonprofit Raleigh Civic Symphony Association together co-sponsor them.

What to know

• The symphony is a full 75-member orchestra that plays two concerts a year.
• The chamber orchestra was founded in 2000 to explore music for smaller forces.
• The chamber group performs two programs a year to the same artistic standard.
• Peter Askim conducts both ensembles and directs orchestral activities at NC State.
• Askim is a composer and bassist who also leads the Next Festival of Emerging Artists.