The Northside Youth Symphony, founded in Feb. of 2000, is a non-profit corporation and proud to announce FREE tuition. In the last 12 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 organization is the only full symphonic ensemble open to elementary musicians in this area that rehearses on a year-round basis.

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.