Time For Large Ensemble and Program Auditions!

CMPI Fellows who are in high school are required to participate in an auditioned large ensemble, but fulfilling this requirement takes a bit of foresight, as many programs hold auditions in the spring months of March, April, and May. Chicago is fortunate to have numerous area comprehensive pre-college programs and youth symphony orchestras, both in the city and in many of the surrounding suburbs. To help fellows find a program that is a good match, we have compiled a list of area programs with ensembles that may meet this requirement. This list is not comprehensive, but does contain most programs within Chicago and the suburbs.

Note that CMPI fellows in high school are required to participate in an auditioned ensemble, so some of these programs may not fulfill the large ensemble requirement. Fellows should check with their Student Navigator if they are unsure if a program meets this requirement.

Program sizes are listed as small (about 50 students or less), medium (50-200 students), or large (200 or more students), and levels are based primarily on string players, with beginning level approximately Suzuki Book 4 or lower, intermediate corresponding to the upper Suzuki books, and advanced meaning concerto level and beyond. Generally, only programs open to all (or all area) students are listed. Programs are listed in alphabetical order, with CMPI Affiliate Organizations listed first.

We hope this list helps fellows and the wider community find the perfect large ensemble!

• Location: Chicago (Loop)
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: Videos due March 19
• Ages: 6-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments and piano
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music, jazz, steelpan, composition, chamber orchestra
• Ensembles: Seven orchestras (three string orchestras and four full orchestras)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Large (600 students)

• Location: Chicago (Lincoln Park)
• Type of Program: Community music school ensembles
• Audition Date: Fall
• Ages: approximately 7-18
• Instruments: Strings
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: Two string orchestras
• Level: Beginning to intermediate
• Program Size: Overall program is large, but ensembles are small

• Location: Chicago (Hyde Park)
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: Video audition
• Ages: approximately 5-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music
• Ensembles: Three orchestras (two string orchestras and one full orchestra)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Medium (100 students)

• Location: Chicago (West Loop)
• Type of Program: Comprehensive pre-college program, tuition-free
• Audition Date: April 29, May 6, and May 13
• Ages: 10-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments except harp
• Program Elements: Large ensemble, instrument class, music theory, recital hour
• Electives: Chamber music, composition, choir, jazz, small ensembles; other electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: Three bands and two orchestras (one string orchestra and one full orchestra)
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Program Size: Large (300 students)

• Location: Chicago (West Loop)
• Type of Program: Community music school ensembles
• Audition Date: none
• Ages: approximately 6-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments except harp
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Additional electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: Beginning band and string ensemble
• Level: Beginning to intermediate
• Program Size: Overall program is large, but ensembles are small

• Location: Fort Sheridan
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: March to May
• Ages: 5-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble and chamber music for advanced students
• Electives: Jazz, choir, music theory, composition, honors ensembles
• Ensembles: Six orchestras (one string orchestra and five full orchestras)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Large (1000 students)

• Location: Lake Forest primarily, with some components in Winnetka and Evanston
• Type of Program: Comprehensive pre-college program
• Audition Date: April 10 or August 21-3
• Ages: 13-18, but advanced 12-year-olds may apply
• Instruments: Violin, viola, cello, piano, and partial program for bass
• Program Elements: Chamber orchestra, chamber music, music theory, private lessons, weekly enrichment
• Electives: Electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: Chamber orchestra
• Level: Advanced
• Program Size: Small (30 students)

• Location: Winnetka (Preludio) or Wheaton (Virtuoso Strings)
• Type of Program: Community music school ensembles
• Audition Date: none for Preludio, before school year for Virtuoso Strings
• Ages: 10-18
• Instruments: Strings
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: Two string orchestras
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Overall program is large, but ensembles are small

• Location: Chicago (South Side)
• Type of Program: Community music school ensembles
• Audition Date: ongoing
• Ages: approximately 5-18
• Instruments: Strings
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: String orchestra and chamber orchestra
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Overall program is large but ensembles are small

• Location: Chicago
• Type of Program: Pre-college program with community music school ensemble, free
• Audition Date: By recommendation, prior to school year
• Ages: 13-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Chamber ensembles, mentoring, volunteer work, music theory, lessons
• Electives: none
• Ensembles: Chamber orchestra
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Small

• Location: Chicago (Englewood)
• Type of Program: El Sistema program for Englewood area students
• Audition Date: none
• Ages: 9-13, with some exceptions for younger and older students
• Instruments: Strings
• Program Elements: Large ensemble, choir, composition, bucket band
• Electives: none
• Ensembles: One orchestra
• Level: Beginning to intermediate
• Program Size: Small

• Location: Chicago (South side)
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: rolling
• Ages: 12-25
• Instruments: Strings
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: none
• Ensembles: String orchestra
• Level: Beginning to intermediate
• Program Size: Small

• Location: Clarendon Hills with several satellite facilities
• Type of Program: Community music school ensemble
• Audition Date: 2/19 and 3/5
• Ages: 7-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music and other electives through community music program
• Ensembles: One orchestra
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Overall program is large, but ensemble is small

• Location: Elgin
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: May 25-28
• Ages: 9-18 (plus some college students)
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music, small ensembles
• Ensembles: Five orchestras (three full orchestras and two string orchestras)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Large

• Location: Crystal Lake
• Type of Program: Community music school ensembles
• Audition Date: Rolling
• Ages: 10-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Electives available through community music program
• Ensembles: Three orchestras (two full orchestras and one string orchestra)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Medium

• Location: Aurora
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: Rolling, by video
• Ages: 7-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Small ensembles
• Ensembles: Three orchestras (one full orchestra and two string orchestras)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Medium

• Location: Kankakee
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: September and January
• Ages: 12-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: none
• Ensembles: One full orchestra
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Small

• Location: Joliet/Romeoville
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: Rolling, by video
• Ages: Primarily high school and college students
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: none
• Ensembles: One full orchestra
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Program Size: Medium

• Location: Naperville
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: unknown
• Ages: 10-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music
• Ensembles: Two full orchestras
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Program Size: Medium (150 students)

• Location: Schaumburg
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: By video, year-round for lower ensembles, and in January and August for upper ensembles
• Ages: approximately 6-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music
• Ensembles: Four orchestras (two string orchestras and two full orchestras)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Large

• Location: Crete
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: August
• Ages: 8-18
• Instruments: Strings
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: none
• Ensembles: Two string orchestras plus beginner string group
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Medium

• Location: Wheaton/Naperville
• Type of Program: Youth symphony program
• Audition Date: Videos due June 11
• Ages: approximately 6-18
• Instruments: All orchestral instruments
• Program Elements: Large ensemble
• Electives: Chamber music, chamber ensemble
• Ensembles: Four orchestras (two full orchestras, two string orchestras)
• Level: Beginning to advanced
• Program Size: Large