54th Annual DuPage Symphony Orchestra
Young Artists Auditions
Saturday, February 6, 2010

The DSO strives to encourage serious study and musical excellence among young musicians through its annual Young Artists Auditions. This is an experience that has been designed to be rewarding as well as educational. Each entrant will be evaluated by experienced judges and will receive written comments and suggestions based on their individual performances.

Eligibility: The auditions are open to student musicians who currently attend high school or its equivalent within DuPage County (including Neuqua Valley H.S.) or live within the county and attend a high school or its equivalent in another part of the state. Eligible performers are singers, pianists and musicians who play instruments ordinarily found in a symphony orchestra for which there exists an orchestral accompaniment in print of the audition work. Previous First and Second Place Winners of the DSO Young Artists Auditions are ineligible to participate.

Audition Date and Location: The DSO’s Young Artists Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Steinway of Chicago, 1205-A Butterfield Road in Downers Grove. Each entrant will be notified in advance by e-mail of his or her specific audition time.

Requirements: The following rules are in effect for the 2010 Young Artists Auditions:

1. All entrants are required to perform from memory.
2. Three copies of the music must be given to the judges at the time of the audition. One copy must be an original.
3. Accompaniment is required. In addition, all entrants must also provide their own accompanist.
4. Each entrant will be limited to approximately 10 minutes of playing time.
5. Pianists who audition as soloists must also provide a second pianist to perform the orchestral accompaniment.
6. Only the entrant, accompanist and a page-turner (if necessary) will be allowed in the room while the auditions are in progress.

Repertoire: The audition selection must be chosen from the standard orchestral repertoire and is subject to approval by the Music Director prior to the competition. Orchestra parts must be available for rental or purchase by the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.

Awards: The First Place Winner will receive a cash award of $500 and the opportunity to appear as a soloist with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra during the 8:00 p.m. concert on Saturday, March 20, 2010. If the First Place Winner cannot appear on that date, he or she will forfeit the prize, and the Second Place Winner will receive the First Place cash award and will appear as the soloist. If the First Place winner does perform, the Second Place Winner will receive a cash award of $300.

Application: The completed application form and a non-refundable entry fee of $30 must be sent to the following address: DuPage Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Auditions, P.O. Box 840, Naperville, IL 60566. All applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, December 1, 2009. The entry fee must be in the form of a check made payable to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.

If you have any questions, please call the DSO Business Office at (630) 778-1003 or send an email to info@dupagesymphony.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Only thirty audition slots are available, which will be determined by postmark date. Any applications received in excess of this total will be returned.