The Northside Youth Symphony, founded in Feb. of 2000, is a non-profit corporation. In the last 7 years, we have served over 250 children and nearly 70 schools! Although Chicago has a rich cultural environment, there are limited opportunities for young musicians who play in a typical elementary 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.

We have three major performing ensembles-the Repertory Training Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra/Wind Ensemble 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.

In our first 7 years, we have 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 addition to each major semester concert featuring all performing groups, we have also hosted solo/ensemble festivals and sometimes feature solo selections by students at our major performances. 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.

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.