Recognised nationally, and celebrated locally, for the depth of its work, the CSO believes that music can enrich lives in different ways and aims to share these experiences with as many people as possible through providing a wide range of ways in which our audiences can discover, encounter, and enjoy great musical experiences.

The orchestra contributes to the cultural diversity of the community through a full and varied concert season, as the orchestra of choice for many touring artists and other arts organisations and through its extensive Community Engagement programme, including school residencies, collaborations with other organisations, library and retirement village performances, and at civic events.

In 2016 and 2019, the CSO received a Highly-Commended certificates in the Arts Access Awards for their collaboration with Christchurch inclusive dance company Jolt. The orchestra was also twice a finalist in the New York Festival Radio awards, along with Radio New Zealand, and, in 2020, won the gold award for the live broadcast of the CSO’s 2019 opening Lamb & Hayward Masterworks concert, Phoenix.