Youth Outreach Program

The Elmhurst Symphony serves the western suburbs with youth-orientated activities dedicated to the educational and cultural enrichment of our future audience.

Robert Stanger Young Artists Auditions

The Robert Stanger Young Artist Auditions are held each winter to provide a forum for outstanding local area high school instrumentalists to compete for the opportunity to perform a concerto movement with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. In addition to monetary awards, three-runners-up are invited to perform for local community groups. The auditions are sponsored in part by the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club and the Auxiliary of the Elmhurst Symphony Association. The next competition will be held Saturday February 16, 2008.

Click here for more information about the Stanger Competition >>>

Click here to download an Application Form >>>

Please visit this section of the website after the February 16th competition for a list of the winners, instrument they performed, High School and music teacher.

Please note: As of November 20, 2007, applications are no longer being accepted for the February 16, 2008 competition. 
Maximum number of applicants have been accepted.

Ensemble Visits to Schools

The Elmhurst Symphony Association will sponsor ensemble visits to District 205 elementary and middle schools and three private schools in the Elmhurst area between February 22nd and February 28, 2008.

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is committed to outreach and educational programs such as this to help audiences of tomorrow come to a better understanding and appreciation of music of all types. The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is a non-for-profit organization. The ensemble visits are made possible in part by the City of Elmhurst Tourism Fund, the Illinois Arts Council, DuPage Community Foundation,  Target Corporation, and the Hinsdale Center for the Arts.

Annual Youth Concert

Each spring the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra performs a free annual Youth Concert featuring music that families with children will enjoy.                                                                      

Our next Youth Concert , “The Story Behind the Music” will be performed at  3 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2008 in the York High School Auditorium.

The 2007 Winners are:
First Place-Robin Kesselman, string bass, 
Wheaton Warrenville South
Concerto for Double Bass by Koussevitsky
Virginia Dixon, teacher
$300 award

Second Place-Zoe Hilbert, oboe, 
Oak Park-River Forest
Concerto in C major by Mozart
Robert Morgan, teacher
$250 award

Third Place-David Mei, cello, 
York
Cello Concerto in E minor by Elgar
Hans Jorgen Jensen, teacher
$200 award

Fourth Place (tie)-Linden Wu, flute, 
Glenbard South
Fantasie Pastorale-Hongroise by Doppler
Kathleen Bremer, teacher
$150 award

Fourth Place (tie)-Lauren Barounis, flute, 
Downers Grove South
Flute Concerto in D by Mozart
Donna Milanovich, teacher
$150 award

Honorable mention:
Brittany Walker, bassoon, 
Bollingbrook
Grand Bassoon Concerto by Hummel
Bill Buchman, teacher

Sarah Fern, piano, 
Naperville Central
2nd Piano Concerto in C minor by Rachmaninoff
Julia Tsien, teacher

Zuren Hsueh, cello, 
Naperville North
Cello Concerto in E minor by Elgar
Tanya Carey, teacher