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 in February of  2009.

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.   The 2008 concert , “The Story Behind the Music”   was performed  on Sunday, March 9, 2008 in the York High School Auditorium.  Thank you to all who attended and made the event a success!                                                    

The 2008 Winners are:

First Place-Kevin Hu, violin, 
Naperville Central
Violin Concerto in A minor by Vieuxtemps
Cyrus Forough, teacher
$300 award

Second Place (tie) - Michael Rau, violin, 
Downers Grove South
Viloin Concerto in B minor by Saint Saens
Alamita Vamos, teacher
$250 award

Second Place (tie) - Shane Hunt, piano, 
Naperville North
Piano Concerto in A minor by Grieg
Janet Hickey, teacher
$250 award

Fourth Place -David Mei, cello, 
York
Cello Concerto in D minor by Lalo
Hans Jorgen Jensen, teacher
$150 award

Honorable mention:
Ben Mildenhall, violin, 
Oak Park  - River Forest

Ophelia Hu, piano, (accompanist for Kevin Hu) 
Naperville Central

The Elmhurst Symphony is grateful to the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club and the Elmhurst Symphony Auxiliary for their generous and active support of the Stanger Competition and to Elmhurst College for hosting the event.