Now in our 42nd concert season, CWO continues to fulfill our mission to create a welcoming environment engaging women in classical music.

We have grown to more than sixty members,
and are one of few all-women's orchestras in the United States.

We have three fantastic concerts lined up celebrating and supporting women in music, under the leadership of our Artistic Director Samantha Burgess. Mark your calendars for November 15th, March 7th, and May 16th.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Come celebrate women in classical music!

Season 42

Fall Family Concert: Around the Orchestra

November 15, 2026 - 4:00pm

Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34, Benjamin Britten

Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 1, Joan Tower

Memories for String Quartet and Orchestra, June Bonacich

Seascapes, Op. 53, Ruth Gipps

Petite Suite de Concert, Op. 77, Samuel Coleridge Taylor

International Women’s Day Concert: Homelands

March 7, 2027 - 4:00pm

Reflections on the Hudson, Nancy Bloomer Deussen

World Premiere Commission TBD, June Bonacich

Sussex Landscape, Avril Coleridge Taylor

Orchestral Suite “Sunrise” (Orkestersvit “Soluppgång”), Ida Moberg

Irlande, Auguste Holmès

Spring Gala Concert: All Russian

May 16, 2027 - 4:00pm

Overture der Träumende Knabe, E. 37, Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté

At Night, Op. 10, Yuliya Veysberg

Symphony No. 5, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

CONGRATULATIONS SAMANTHA BURGESS
NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR

Featured in Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy

Please Donate

Consider contributing to CWO! Every dollar counts and goes directly to support our mission, such as renting music and the practice hall.

Every dollar advances our mission to engage, inspire, and celebrate women in classical music. Join our supporters by making a tax deductible donation today.

Thank you!

Become a CWO Sponsor

Our sponsors sustain our mission to uplift women musicians and forge lasting change within classical music.

We proudly feature our sponsors and help them reach a broad audience of musicians and patrons in Oakland and San Francisco.

Come Play with Us

The Community Women’s Orchestra welcomes all female-identifying musicians! We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 9:30pm in Oakland, and our season runs from late August through May. We perform three main concerts each year.

Although we don’t hold formal auditions, we do recommend an intermediate (or above) level of playing. Whatever your status, we’d love to get to know you!

We are looking for Violas, Violin 1, Basses and Cellos.