Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

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Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO), founded in 1946 by a group of parents and volunteers, is a youth orchestra in the Midwest U.S. and regarded as one of the top in the United States. Since its founding 60 years ago, it has maintained an international reputation for producing the next generation of orchestral musicians, reflected in its trademark “Listen to the Future!”

The CYSO now encompasses four core orchestras, a chamber music program, summer orchestra, and engagement initiatives with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). More than 350 students ages 7 to 18 participate in these orchestras. 100% of all CYSO graduates attend college, with 75% pursing musical studies at conservatories and music schools.[citation needed]

The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras is located in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building on south Michigan Avenue. The CYSO performs at Symphony Center-Orchestra Hall, the Chicago Cultural Center, the South Shore Cultural Center, University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall, Chicago’s Grant Park, the Chicago Historical Museum, and the Ravinia Festival. Bi-annual tours have reached sold out audiences throughout Europe including: Smetana Hall in Prague, Czech Republic; The Frederick Chopin Conservatory of Music in Warsaw, Poland and the Filharmonia in Wrocław, Poland. Also, as part of their 2007 European tour, the Symphony Orchestra has been selected to be the only youth orchestra in the world presented by Leipzig, Germany’s Gewandhaus during its musical season.[citation needed]

The CYSO works throughout the year to fulfill its threefold mission:

  • to ADVANCE and inspire the musical and personal development of young musicians by providing intensive training and unparalleled opportunities;
  • to ADVOCATE for involvement in classical music to underserved youth through student-to-student engagement programs; and
  • to AMAZE, entertain and educate audiences with thoughtful, innovative programming.


CYSO ENSEMBLES
Symphony Orchestra
Concert Orchestra
Debut Orchestra
Preparatory Strings
Encore Chamber Orchestra
Summer Orchestra

CYSO PROGRAMS
Music Pathways
Music Theory

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