Youth Symphony
Youth Symphony
See Us in Action
See Us in Action
Youth Symphony is the flagship orchestra of EYSO. From across Chicagoland and beyond, members share in the thrill of collaborating with other experienced, dedicated, high-caliber musicians. Youth Symphony has been showcased on NPR’s “From the Top", performed with violin superstars Midori and Rachel Barton Pine, given the world premiere of the opera Witness Reunion and other works by composer Ethan Parcell, collaborated with Chicago blues legend Corky Siegel, and performed at the Ravinia Festival.
Each year, Youth Symphony musicians are coached by leading orchestral artists from the Chicago Symphony, the Elgin Symphony, and conservatories and universities across the Midwest. Members of Youth Symphony are also eligible to audition for the Young Artists Concerto Competition and the Honors Chamber Ensembles, EYSO’s premier chamber music experience, as well as to take part in EYSO’s Chamber Music Institute. All brass and percussion players are automatically enrolled in their unique instrumental ensembles, Brass Choir and Percussion Ensemble. Members of Youth Symphony 16 and older are eligible for college credit through Elgin Community College.
Youth Symphony is led by Artistic Director Matthew Sheppard.
Recent repertoire performed by Youth Symphony includes:
- Béla Bartók – Concerto for Orchestra
- Edward Elgar – Enigma Variations
- George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
- Jennifer Higdon – blue cathedral
- Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 1 and Totenfeier
- Modest Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel) – Pictures at an Exhibition
- Silvestre Revueltas – Sensemayá
- Ottorino Respighi – Pines of Rome
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade
- Dmitri Shostakovich – Symphonies 1, 5, and 9
- William Grant Still – Symphony No. 4 "Autochthonous”
Youth Symphony rehearses most Sundays, September-May, from 6:15-9:00pm at Elgin Community College. Students may miss up to two rehearsals per concert cycle, with special criteria for dress rehearsal absences, without impacting their eligibility to perform.
In addition to weekly rehearsals, students are expected to participate in Fall Camp, prior to the start of the season, as well as Friday evening and/or Saturday dress rehearsals scheduled in advance of each concert.
Youth Symphony typically performs three concerts each season in the Blizzard Theatre at the Elgin Community College Arts Center.
- November 16, 2025 (It’s All Relative)
Youth Symphony typically performs on a special April exhibition concert, as well.
Audition for EYSO
Youth Symphony is currently accepting late auditions for the 2025-2026 season.
Auditions for the 2026-2027 season will be held May 28-31, 2026.
Strings
Strings
- Scales: 3-octave major and minor scales (2-octave for bass), by memory preferred
- Solos: 2 contrasting solo selections
- Sight Reading
Winds & Brass
- Scales: All major scales, 2-octaves when possible; chromatic scale from lowest to highest notes (by memory preferred)
- Solos: 2 contrasting solo selections
- Sight Reading
Percussion
- Scales: All major & minor scales, 2-octaves; chromatic scale, full length of xylophone
- Solos: 1 snare drum selection, 4-mallet selection, Timpani selection (2, 3 or 4 drums)
- Sight Reading
Piano & Harp
- Scales: All major & minor scales, 4-octaves
- Solos: 2-3 contrasting selections
- Sight Reading
Get all the audition details for your ensemble and instrument here.
Questions about audition requirements? Email office@eyso.org — we’re happy to help!