The Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra (WHCO) is a professional classical music ensemble composed of exceptional musicians who regularly perform at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and other prominent venues nationally and internationally. Founded in 2015 to answer the question “how can we keep our talent local?” — residents of Upper Manhattan are quite familiar with the sight of musicians in concert black heading downtown with instrument cases — WHCO is dedicated to sharing our world-class artistry right in our own community.
WHCO sets a new standard for locally relevant programming; performances are curated for Upper Manhattan’s diverse communities and local stories. Concerts regularly feature living composers, often NYC and uptown residents, alongside major traditional works. Hailed as “consistently fresh,” WHCO has been featured in the New York Times’ “Today,” TimeOut NY’s “Critics Pick,” and Gothamist’s “Best Things to Do in NYC this Weekend.”
Mission
Cultivating meaningful connections in Upper Manhattan with exemplary classical music performances and innovative educational programming.
Vision
As we enter our second decade, we aim to serve and strengthen our community through our actions as an orchestral organization. Our performances will serve as a catalyst for bringing our neighbors together and building connections between our audience and other local community-oriented organizations, including local businesses, arts organizations, museums, the NYC parks department, and beyond.
