YOUNG ARTISTS AUDITIONS

Young Artists Auditions

Apply today for our Young Artists Auditions!

Young Artists Auditions -

Through its annual Young Artists Auditions, the DuPage Symphony strives to encourage serious study and musical excellence among young musicians, and to provide an important performance opportunity for the winner. The audition experience is designed to be both educational and rewarding for all of the participants. All entrants will be evaluated by experienced judges, and will receive written comments and suggestions based on their auditions.

Eligibility: The DSO Young Artists Auditions are open to high-school age student musicians who currently attend high school or homeschool and who permanently reside in one of the following Illinois counties: DuPage, Kane, Kendall, or Will. Eligible performers include vocalists, pianists and instrumentalists that play instruments ordinarily found in a symphony orchestra, and for which there exists an orchestral accompaniment available in print. Previous First Place and Second Place Winners of the DSO Young Artists Auditions are ineligible to enter the competition again.

Audition Date and Location: The DSO’s 2022 Young Artists Auditions will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at the Wentz Fine Arts Center on the campus of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Avenue, in downtown Naperville. 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 2022 Young Artists Auditions:

All entrants are required to perform from memory.
Three copies of the music, with the measures numbered, must be given to the judges at the time of the audition. One copy must be an original.
Accompaniment is required. All entrants must provide their own accompanist for these auditions.
Each entrant will be limited to 10 minutes of playing time. If you need to make adjustments or cuts to fit in the allotted time, please notify the judges before your audition so they know where you are starting/stopping.
Pianists who audition as soloists must provide a second pianist to perform the orchestral accompaniment.
Only the entrant, accompanist, and a page-turner (if necessary) will be allowed in the room for the actual audition. No exceptions.

Repertoire: The audition selection must be chosen from the standard orchestral repertoire and is subject to approval by the DSO Music Director prior to the competition. Orchestra parts must be readily 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 soloist with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra in a work of 10-15 minutes in duration during the concert of Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 7:30 pm.IfIf the First Place Winner cannot appear on that date, he or she will forfeit the prize as well as the first place designation and the Second Place Winner will be awarded both instead. If the First-Place winner does perform, the Second Place Winner will receive a cash award of $300. Both first and second place winners may be asked to perform for other DSO programs and events during 2022 to promote future Young Artists Auditions.

Application: The completed application form and a non-refundable entry fee of $40 must be sent to: DuPage Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Auditions, P.O. Box 844, Naperville, IL 60566-0844. All applications must be postmarked by Monday, January 10, 2022. The entry fee must be submitted by check made payable to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra. Scholarship assistance is available to those students for whom the application fee presents an obstacle.

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

PLEASE NOTE: Only twenty-five audition slots are available; priority will be determined by postmark date. Applications received in excess of this number will be returned.

If you have any questions or to request an application, please call 630.778.1003 or send an email to info@dupagesymphony.org.

2021 Young Artists Auditions Winners

Esme Arias-Kim, Violin, Hoffman Estates, IL

Caleb Kim, Piano, Roselle, IL

William Lewis, Trumpet, Highland Park, IL

Sofia Radovic, Viola, St. Charles, IL

Veronica Rokicki, Violin, Arlington Heights, IL

Ella Saputra, Violin, Schaumburg, IL

Richelle Shi, Piano, Long Grove, IL

Mia Wimbiscus, Cello, Wilmette, IL

Learn more about our winners and judges here.