Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin performs with the Civic Orchestra during Young Artist Competition finals in 2017.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition is a prestigious concerto competition for Illinois’ top young soloists. Applicants audition live at Symphony Center for a distinguished panel of judges. Following a preliminary round, four finalists are selected to perform in the final round in Orchestra Hall, accompanied by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. The winner is featured on the following season as soloist with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as part of CSO School and Family Concerts.
Presented jointly by the League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Congratulations to Cecilia O’Malley (violin) on winning the 2026 Crain-Mailing Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition!
The instrument group for the 2027 competition is winds, brass, percussion and harp. Applications will open in summer 2026.
