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.
Ken-David Masur, principal conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, greets the 2023 Chicago Youth in Music Festival Orchestra.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Oboist Zach Allen rehearses with the Chicago Youth in Music Festival Orchestra.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Members of the Chicago Youth in Music Festival Orchestra rehearse in Orchestra Hall.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Members of the Chicago Youth in Music Festival Orchestra rehearse in Orchestra Hall.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Allen Tinkham, music director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, leads a side-by-side rehearsal with members of the Civic Orchestra and students from community music schools.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
A Civic Orchestra member coaches percussionists from the Chicago Arts and Music Project.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
A Civic Orchestra member rehearses with a student from The People's Music School.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO bassist Daniel Carson leads a sectional during the Chicago Youth in Music Festival.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO Associate Principal Horn Daniel Gingrich coaches students during the Chicago Youth in Music Festival.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Trumpet players rehearse during the Chicago Youth in Music Festival.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Chicago Youth in Music Festival Orchestra rehearses in Orchestra Hall.
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.
During the 2023 Chicago Youth in Music Festival at Symphony Center, nearly 250 students from 10 Chicago music schools and high school orchestra programs participated in coaching sessions and rehearsals.
The 2022 Chicago Youth in Music Festival and National Pathways Summit featured three days of rehearsals and coaching sessions for young musicians and opportunities for music teachers and administrators to collaborate.
The Chicago Youth in Music Festival returns in April 2022 with an ambitious nationwide partnership spanning 10 cities and a focus on supporting extraordinary young musicians from backgrounds that are underrepresented in classical music.
From rehearsals with Civic, to CSO concerts, to coachings with CSO members, I have been encouraged to listen, and to listen harder, the last couple of years.
