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 2023 Chicago Youth in Music Festival took place March 24-27 at Symphony Center and featured young musicians from across Chicago. The Festival was presented in partnership with Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, as well as Chicago Arts and Music Project, Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project, The People’s Music School, Sistema Ravinia, Amundsen High School, Kenwood Academy, Mather High School, Northside College Prep and the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative.

On Friday, March 24, 100 Chicago Public Schools string orchestra students from four partner schools convened for sectionals and a side-by-side rehearsal with musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, led by conductor Kyle Dickson. The participating schools were Amundsen High School, Kenwood Academy, Mather High School and Northside College Prep. A small ensemble of Civic Orchestra Mentors visited each school in advance to lead sectionals on the Festival repertoire. 

On Sunday, March 26, 80 students from four community music schools gathered for sectionals and a side-by-side rehearsal and performance with the Civic Orchestra, led by Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Music Director conductor Allen Tinkham. In addition, students and their families attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert that afternoon conducted by Thomas Wilkins.

Finally, the advanced Festival Orchestra was comprised of 60 students representing Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, as well as musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. The Festival Orchestra rehearsed throughout the weekend with conductor Kyle Dickson and participated in sectionals with CSO musicians in preparation for a public open rehearsal led by Civic Orchestra Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Ken-David Masur on Monday, March 27 at 7pm. The open rehearsal featured works by William Grant Still and Antonín Dvořák.

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.

Youth Education Program Sponsor
Youth Education Program Sponsor

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