Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝘼𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙬!

🎟️ Tickets are Now Available for Purchase!

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲? 👀 Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to keep track of all things Lollapalooza!

We’re so excited for tonight’s performance at Symphony Center! Catch a sneak peak of Dress Rehearsal this past Monday 👀

Preparatory Strings | 5.9.26

No but seriously, you're not going to want to miss this Sunday 👀 🎟️ Tickets available on our website

Spring Concert 2026🎻💐 I really enjoyed Howard Hansons’ Symphony No. 2! Thank you @chiyso and Maestro @allentinkham for a great season with the Philharmonic Orchestra!

CYSO wishes all of our moms a happy Mother’s Day! From every rehearsal, performance, and workshop, you’re some of our most important cheerleaders. We couldn’t do it without you!

THIS SUNDAY, Leo Ma will perform as a soloist with the Chicago Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra for winning the 2025 Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Concerto Competition for the Concert Orchestra. Leo will be performing Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. Tickets are available at the link in bio. Leo, will also perform in May 2027 with the CYSO Philharmonic Orchestra, after winning the concerto competition for the Philharmonic division in 2026. Currently, Leo Ma @leo.ma.12 is a 13-year-old violinist from Chicago, currently studying with Professor Minghuan Xu @allthings.strings at New Music School. He began playing at age six at DePaul Community Music School and has been a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) since age nine, now proudly serving as Concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra. Leo previously studied with Hannah Barton, Davis King and Hui Jin. Leo recently won 1st Prize at the 2026 Berlin Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition (performing at the Berlin Philharmonic) and winning the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Concert Orchestra Competition with Davis King, debuting as soloist at Gannon Concert Hall. He has also earned top awards at the IMA, London Young Musician (Under 15), and Canadian International Music Competitions. Leo performs with natural musical instincts, a warm tone, and a poised, confident presence on stage. Beyond the violin, Leo studies piano and is a passionate athlete — competing on the Chicago School of Golf travel team while loving sailing and alpine skiing. He brings the same curiosity, discipline, and joy to everything he does. #violinist #classicalmusic #youngmusician #cyso #newmusicschool

Did you know that our students perform Education Concert Field Trips for students across the county? Take a look (and listen) to one of our Steelpan Concerts this past Thursday! The students loved hearing their favorites and more while learning about the instrument firsthand.

CYSO is proud to celebrate the induction of @pharezwhitted into the @indyjazzfest Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame. They share, “[we are] honoring Pharez Whitted, celebrated Indianapolis trumpeter and educator, Whitted continues the storied Hampton-Whitted legacy and is known for his fiery performances ranging from small, intimate clubs to Presidential Inaugurations. A ‘Chicagoan of the Year’ award winner, his impact extends to the classroom as Director of Jazz at the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and Professor at Northern Illinois University”

The future of the arts is on this stage. 🎻🎶 Closing out my Sunday with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra was a full circle moment. After 8 years in youth orchestra, I know how transformative these programs are. Through Notable Measures, we were proud to provide a tuition scholarship supporting a student’s summer intensive, creating access to an opportunity that can truly shape a young musician’s path. Grateful to spend the evening with such talented students and support the next generation. Thank you to Sierra and Jennie for having me. Loved listening to the @chiyso musicians! 🤍✨