Led by CYSO Associate Conductor, Terrance Malone Gray, the Concert Orchestra provides advanced orchestral training to high school and middle school aged student musicians. Their season includes weekly rehearsals, sectionals, a concerto competition, an audition seminar, and concerts in some of Chicago’s most renowned venues including Northeastern Illinois University’s Fine Arts Auditorium, the South Shore Cultural Center and Symphony Center’s Orchestra Hall. Concert Orchestra students participate in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s innovative mentoring program, MusiCorps, which includes sectionals with Civic Orchestra members.

In addition to their regular season concerts, the Concert Orchestra performs an education concert as a part of CYSO's Music Pathways program. Concert Orchestra students have the opportunity to perform local and world premieres of new works and commissions. Recent composers have included Joel Puckett, John Mackey, and D.J. Sparr.  The Concert Orchestra also does a reading session of student works by participants in CYSO's Composition Seminar.