The Northside Youth Symphony, founded in Feb. of 2000, is a non-profit corporation. In the last 10 years, we have served hundreds of children representing over 75 schools! Although Chicago has a rich cultural environment, there are limited opportunities for young musicians who play in a typical elementary/middle school program. Our goal is to provide these children with a full orchestral setting experience and state-of-the-art rehearsal space/auditorium use at one of Chicago's finest high schools, Northside College Prep.

The typical school year will include 2 major concerts (Jan/June) as well as the annual collaborative performance with the Northside College Prep HS Orchestra. In past years, we have also held Solo/Ensemble Recitals. We have three major performing ensembles-the Repertory Training Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra/Honor Band and the Chamber Strings. We serve children as young as 1st grade thru high school but the majority of our musicians are 10-14 years old. At any given time, approximately 25 private/public schools around Chicago's North Side are represented, as well as the North Shore suburbs. Our 60-70 member organization is the only full symphonic ensemble open to elementary musicians in this area that rehearses on a year-round basis.

NYS performed at the 2006 National Orchestra Festival in Kansas City, Chicago's Daley Center, Harold Washington Library, numerous community concerts for assisted care facilities and the Lydia Children's Home. In 2003 we welcomed our first guest artist, the legendary late jazz violinist Johnny Frigo. The 2005 5th Anniversary celebration featured the Bow-Dacious String Band from Champaign, IL and 2006 welcomed the Lincoln Elementary Jazz Band. The 2008/09 school year heralded the beginning of our World Music Curriculum which featured the Lake Shore Symphony Quartet and members of the Maxwell St. Klezmer Band as well as a trip to Univ. of IL (Champaign/Urbana) to participate in the American String Festival.

Our biggest dilemma right now is funding. We are currently looking for a corporate sponsor to cover the cost of our yearly rehearsal space and concert fees. Additional grants and private contributions are also needed to provide new and innovative performing groups, touring, summer music camp scholarships and master classes-just a few of the benefits we would like to offer our young musicians in the future.