About the
Olathe Community Orchestra
The Olathe Community Orchestra is a civic ensemble dedicated to providing classical orchestra music for the citizens of Olathe, Kansas. The OCO is a nonprofit organization and a member of the Olathe Arts Alliance.
Concerts
The OCO performs four concerts per season most of them at Grace United Methodist Church, 11485 South Ridgeview Road, in Olathe, KS. Concerts are free and open to the public. The orchestra performs music from traditional, classical orchestral repertoire as well as popular music styles. Past concerts have also featured local professional musicians as guest soloists, including vocalist Brian Steele, cellist Ho Anthony Ahn, cellist Sascha Groshang, and violinist Josh Kendle.
For concert information, see Season Schedule.
Community Outreach
This year, the Olathe Community Orchestra will partner with the MNU Arts & Humanities Department to provide opportunities for their music students to perform with the orchestra.
Each year, the Olathe Community Orchestra provides an opportunity for talented high school musicians in the Olathe area to audition for a chance to perform a solo with the orchestra and receive a scholarship. Past winners have included violinists, violists, cellists, percussionists, a bassist, and a flutist. For information about the scholarship competition and an audition application, see OCO Scholarship Competition.
OCO Musicians
The Olathe Community Orchestra is comprised of a diverse group of musicians, amateur and professional, brought together by their love of music and desire to play their instruments. Adult musicians do not need to audition. Students under 18 who wish to play with the orchestra must audition for the conductor.
The orchestra rehearses from 7:00-9:00 pm on Thursday nights, September through April, at Grace United Methodist Church, 11485 South Ridgeview Road, Olathe, KS. All concerts except Old Settlers are scheduled on Sunday afternoons at Grace UMC. For information about joining the Olathe Community Orchestra, please go to the Contact page.