Why join ICO?

The Illinois Council of Orchestras is an active, supportive community of managers, conductors, musicians, educators, and volunteers joined by a shared passion for classical and orchestral music. For over 50 years the Illinois Council of Orchestras has been the premier service organization dedicated to serving the needs and influencing the success of orchestras in Illinois. We invite you to join our network and reap the rewards of membership.

ICO Membership Delivers:

  • Professional Development: ICO's Town Halls, annual conference, and seminars offer vast opportunities to learn from top professionals, network with peers, and grow in your career.
  • Networking and Co-Learning: With the ICO, you become part of a community of colleagues who understand your needs and commitment to the classical music field.
  • Advocacy: ICO represents and gives voice to the needs to ensembles in the state of Illinois.


Organizational Membership Benefits include:

  • Eligibility for the Annual Awards
  • Reduced rates at ICO conferences and events
  • Inclusion in and enhanced access to the Orchestra Members Directory
  • Submit your performance events to the Concerts Calendar viewable by the public on the ICO website.
  • Free job postings on ICO's Career Center
  • Members-only access to articles, tools, and resources, including the archive of Town Halls
  • Learning opportunities through webinars, regional gatherings, and workshops
  • Real-time networking and co-learning opportunities in the Virtual Peer Forums
  • Connection to the field with e-Newsletters, Advocacy Alerts, and ICO News Feed.
  • Access to all ICO programs and services (Awards, Conductor Mentoring, Conferences, Consultants, MusicShare, Program Notes, etc.)

    Benefits are extended to all staff, volunteers, musicians, and board members of the member organization.

University/College Membership Benefits:

  • all students and faculty get access to all ICO member benefits listed above

Annual Organizational Membership Dues

Orchestras, festivals, chamber orchestras, ensembles, choruses, and non-profit dues are determined primarily by budget size. Benefits apply to all your staff members, board members, musicians, and volunteers.

  • $70 for orchestras with budget size under $100,000
  • $95 for orchestras with budgets $100,000 - $749,999
  • $200 for orchestras with budgets $750,000 - $1,499,999
  • $250 for orchestras with budgets over $1,500,000
  • $200 for university/college orchestras
All membership pricing subject to change. The ICO Membership Year is July 1-June 30 and is on an anniversary cycle for all members.
Join/Renew as an Organization

Individual and Student Membership Benefits

For individuals seeking to advance their career, deepen their knowledge of the orchestral field, or are currently not affiliated with a singular orchestra. It is also for those who wish to make a deeper connection with the classical music field and to make their voice heard by advocating for and supporting its future. Individual membership is $50 per year and individual student membership is $25 per year.

  • Free or discounted rates to all ICO professional development programs and events, including ICO's annual conference.
  • Members-only access to articles, tools, and resources, including the archive of Town Halls
  • Learning opportunities through webinars, regional gatherings, and workshops
  • Real-time networking and co-learning opportunities in the Virtual Peer Forums
  • Connection to the field with e-Newsletters, Advocacy Alerts, and ICO News Feed.
  • Access to all ICO programs and services (Awards, Conductor Mentoring, Conferences, Consultants, MusicShare, Program Notes, etc.)
Join/Renew as an Individual

Partner Membership Benefits

For businesses and organizations seeking to connect with Illinois orchestras in order to network and share a product or service, support advocacy efforts, and deepen their knowledge of the orchestral field.  The Partner membership is $250 per year.

  • Free or discounted rates to all ICO professional development programs and events, including ICO's annual conference.
  • No-cost job postings in ICO Career Center
  • Members-only access to articles, tools, and resources, including the archive of Town Halls
  • Learning opportunities through webinars, regional gatherings, and workshops
  • Real-time networking and co-learning opportunities in the Virtual Peer Forums
  • Connection to the field with e-Newsletters, Advocacy Alerts, and ICO News Feed.
  • Access to all ICO programs and services (Awards, Conductor Mentoring, Conferences, Consultants, MusicShare, Program Notes, etc.)
Join/Renew as a Partner