With leadership from former CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery, the Young Composers Initiative engages youth from across the Chicago region and empowers them to create new pieces of chamber music. With Jessie Montgomery’s mentorship, selected composers will workshop new pieces of chamber music throughout the 2025/26 Season, culminating in a performance by musicians of the Civic Orchestra at Symphony Center on June 12, 2026.
Congratulations to the 2025/26 Young Composers Initiative participants!
Delaney Baeza (18), The Chicago Academy for the Arts
Iain Blair (17), Jones College Prep
Amber Dong (16), Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Christopher Mertz (15), Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Thomas Muñoz Velasquez (16), Amundsen High School
Previous Young Composers Initiative Participants
Clara Frantzen, 2023/24 & 2024/25 YCI Participant
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Marilyn Gans, 2024/25 YCI Participant
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Gloria Kravchenko, 2024/25 YCI Participant
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Christopher Mertz, 2024/25 YCI Participant
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Malik Muhammad, 2022/23, 2023/24 & 2024/25 YCI Participant
Now in its third season, the Young Composers Initiative is one of the many training programs for young musicians offered by the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute.
At the age of 13, violinist Sylvia Pine has already composed dozens of works for chamber ensembles. Her string quartet titled "Pull of Life" will be performed March 17 at Impact: Showcasing Education & Community Engagement at the CSO.
Jessie Montgomery has left a profound impression on the orchestra and the city’s cultural scene during her three seasons as the CSO's Mead Composer-in-Residence.
