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 2024 Festival takes place April 20-29 at Symphony Center and features young musicians from across Chicago.
Community Youth Orchestra Convening
On Saturday, April 20, students from four community music schools will gather for side-by-side rehearsals with the Civic Orchestra, led by Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Music Director conductor Kenny Lee. Students will join from Chicago Arts and Music Project, Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project, The People’s Music School and Sistema Ravinia.
This event is not open to the public.
CPS String Orchestra Convening
On Friday, April 26, Chicago Public Schools string orchestra students from four partner high schools will convene for side-by-side rehearsals with musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Director of String Ensembles conductor Daniella Valdez. The participating schools are Amundsen High School, Kenwood Academy, Mather High School and Northside College Prep.
Civic Orchestra Mentors will visit each school in advance of the Festival to lead sectionals on the selected repertoire. Students will also reflect on their relationships with music and exchange their thoughts with each other throughout the day.
This event is not open to the public.
2024 Festival Orchestra
The Festival Orchestra will be comprised of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago sitting side-by-side with Chicago's most advanced young musicians, led by world-renowned conductor, Giancarlo Guerrero. Youth from five partner organizations will audition for a spot in the ensemble: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Merit School of Music, Music Institute of Chicago, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and The People’s Music School.
The Festival Orchestra will present the CYMF finale concert of Shostakovich Symphony No. 4 on Monday, April 29 in Orchestra Hall.
2023 Chicago Youth in Music Festival
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.