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, up to 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.
The instrument group for the 2026 competition will be strings.
Applications for the 2026 competition will open on August 25th.
Presented jointly by the League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and the Negaunee Music Institute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be born before December 31, 2012, and may not have completed their junior year of high school by the time of the preliminary round.
All applicants must be legal residents of the state of Illinois, residing in Illinois. Students are not eligible for the competition if they are past winners or are under professional management.
Application Instructions
A non-refundable fee of $60, payable online, must accompany each application. See the application form for payment details.
All applications are due by November 2, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for any family who can demonstrate that such assistance is required. This assistance can include a waiver of the registration fee or assistance with accompanist fees. To apply for financial assistance, the applicant must submit with the application a one-page letter requesting financial aid and explaining why this assistance is necessary.
Competition Requirements
- Applicants must perform one entire movement of a concerto. Due to limited time, the preliminary round judges may request that the performer stop or skip sections.
- Applicants are required to perform from memory.
- All applicants must audition with and provide their own accompanist for the preliminary round. Applicants will be accompanied by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the final round.
- Applicants selected as finalists must be available on January 15 and 16, 2026, to rehearse with the Civic Orchestra.
- Applicants must provide three photocopies of the solo part for the judges.
Preliminary Round
The preliminary round of the competition will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center. If there is a high volume of applicants, some auditions may be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The preliminary round will be held before a panel of judges and is closed to the general public. Up to four finalists may be selected at the judges’ discretion.
Final Round
The final round of the competition will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. All finalists will be accompanied by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
The finals will be open to a public audience. After the competition, the winner will be announced from the stage.
Prizes and Awards
- One winning finalist will be selected to perform with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 2026/27 Season. CSOA Administration, in conference with the designated guest conductor, reserves the right to determine the repertoire and length of the winner’s performance with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- Students who participate in the preliminary round of the competition are eligible to apply for a scholarship to be used at a summer program for the audition instrument. This funding will be awarded to one or more promising students who the audition judges feel will benefit most from the experience. Secondarily, the issue of a deserving student’s financial need may be considered. See the online application for instructions.
Repertoire
Applicants must audition by playing a single movement of a concerto, or a work up to 20 minutes that has orchestral accompaniment.
The CSOA reserves the right to deny certain repertoire selections due to extensive orchestration needs that cannot be met. If the repertoire is not approved, applicants will receive an email soon after submitting the application. At this point, applicants may select alternative repertoire, or withdraw the application.
Summer Camp Scholarships
The Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition provides financial assistance to attend a music camp or festival in the summer of 2026. Funding must be used at a program for the audition instrument. This funding will be awarded to one or more promising scholarship applicants who the audition judges feel will benefit most from the experience. Secondarily, the issue of a deserving student’s financial need may be considered.
See the online application form for instructions on applying for a scholarship.
