Summer Youth Orchestra (SYO)

The ChiMOP Summer Youth Orchestra (SYO) is a free youth orchestra camp open by audition to any Chicago middle/high school musician with experience playing an orchestral instrument. Entering the TENTH season of ambitious programming, SYO has performed more than thirty concerts in venues across the city and beyond, and toured to places like Michigan, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia, collaborating with other music for social change projects along the way!

2023 Program Details

When: July 10-28, Mon-Fri, 1-4pm

Where: 1218 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church)

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete Application

Please fill out an application to register for SYO. There is no fee to apply or participate.

Step 2: Seating Audition

You are required to prepare scales and 2 excerpts and/or solos of your choice. Review the guidelines below for your instrument. Say your full name at the beginning of the video and make sure you complete all criteria in one take. The submission form only allows one video file upload. Do not use any form of editing or acoustic altering effects in your video. Evaluators are listening for essential musical qualities such as: intonation, tone, rhythm, technique, and expression.

Once you have reviewed the guidelines for your instrument and recorded your audition video, please upload it here:

Questions? Contact Joe DeAngelo (joseph@chimop.org).

ChiMOP Alumni Internship Program (CAIP)

CAIP is designed to offer recent graduates of ChiMOP programs hands-on leadership experience during program hours as well as introductory level administrative experience helping staff with activities such as lesson planning and preparing materials. Through CAIP, these interns will also have the opportunity to explore other interests and receive necessary support to build their skill sets and resumes.

Please contact Joe DeAngelo (joseph@chimop.org) to apply.