The Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus (CBASO) is a distinctive Chicago-based ensemble that unites the legal community with performing artists for regular concerts, student showcases, and civic events. Founded in 1986, CBASO serves as a cultural bridge for attorneys, judges, and law students, offering high-caliber orchestral and choral performances in venues across the city. The ensemble’s leadership has evolved with the times, most recently appointing Jennifer Huang as Music Director following David Katz’s retirement in 2024. The Chorus has historically been led by conductors such as Stephen Blackwelder, contributing to CBASO’s rich choral heritage.
Repertoire covers Baroque through contemporary works, with notable past programs like Carmina Burana performed at major Chicago venues and Ode to Joy celebrations that reflect the ensemble’s celebratory, community-focused approach. The primary home for CBASO performances is St. James Cathedral in Chicago, a venue renowned for its acoustics and intimate yet grand setting suitable for orchestral and choral music. CBASO also participates in Law Day and civic events at prominent city spaces such as Daley Plaza, reinforcing the organization’s mission to blend law and culture in the public square.