Chicago Youth in Music Festival
The Chicago Youth in Music Festival is an annual celebration of young people who are passionate about symphony orchestras. The 2026 Festival takes place throughout April at Symphony Center and across the city of Chicago.
CPS Band Convening
On Monday, April 6, 125 CPS high school band students join Civic Members for a day of side-by-side rehearsals on stage in Orchestra Hall. The participating schools are King College Prep, Lincoln Park High School, Lindblom Math & Science Academy, Mather High School and Northside College Prep. The conductor for this program is Erica Neidlinger, Associate Professor and conductor of the Wind Symphony at DePaul University.
In addition, the side-by-side ensemble welcomes the following members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to perform in the final rehearsal of the day: CSO principal horn Mark Almond, CSO trumpet Tage Larsen, CSO percussion Vadim Karpinos and flutist Hillary Horton.
Students participating in both CPS convenings will receive over 300 visits from Civic Mentors throughout the winter as part of the NMI’s Connect School Partnership Program.
CPS String Orchestra Convening
On Friday, April 10, 125 Chicago Public Schools string orchestra students from five partner high schools convene for side-by-side rehearsals with musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. The participating schools are Amundsen High School, Kenwood Academy, Lincoln Park High School, Mather High School and Northside College Prep. The conductor for this program is Kenny Lee, Assistant Professor and Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Iowa.
In addition, the side-by-side ensemble welcomes the following members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to perform in the final rehearsal of the day: CSO principal second violin Baird Dodge, CSO viola Youming Chen and CSO bass Dan Carson.
Students participating in both CPS convenings will receive over 300 visits from Civic Mentors throughout the winter as part of the NMI’s Connect School Partnership Program.
Community Youth Orchestra Convening
On Saturday, April 11, students from community youth orchestras come together for side-by-side rehearsals and activities with the Civic Orchestra. The participating programs are Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project, The People’s Music School and Sistema Ravinia. The conductor for this program is Ryan Tani, Associate Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
CSO Masterclass Series
To engage Chicago’s most advanced young musicians, the NMI will present a series of masterclasses led by CSO musicians for students from the Merit School of Music, Music Institute of Chicago, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and The People’s Music School. These masterclasses will be hosted at each partner’s site across the city throughout the month of April.
Wednesday, April 1, 6:00-8:00pm
Teng Li, viola (Merit School of Music)
Wednesday, April 8, 5:30-7:30pm
John Hagstrom, trumpet (The People’s Music School)
Monday, April 13, 6:00-8:00pm
Olivia Huh, cello (Music Institute of Chicago - Evanston)
Tuesday, April 28, 6:00-8:00pm
Robert Chen, violin (Symphony Center)
2025 Chicago Youth in Music Festival
Watch these short videos about past Youth in Music Festivals:
Sponsors
The Chicago Youth in Music Festival is generously sponsored by Megan and Steve Shebik and by Michael and Linda Simon.