The Chicago Sinfonietta is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. The stated mission of the orchestra is to "serve as a national model for inclusiveness and innovation in classical music" and to "help America become a true cultural democracy, in which everyone can share fully in its cultural resources and in which all can contribute to it cultural richness." The group bills itself as "The Nation's Most Diverse Orchestra." The 2011-2012 Season was the first under the baton of Mei-Ann Chen.