The Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition is a renowned concerto competition for Illinois’ top youth soloists. Applicants audition live at Chicago Symphony Center for a distinguished panel of judges. Following a preliminary round, up to four finalists are selected to perform in the final round in Orchestra Hall, accompanied by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. The winner is featured on the following season as soloist with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as part of CSO School and Family Concerts.
The instrument group for the 2027 competition is woodwinds, brass, percussion and harp.
Presented jointly by the Chicago Symphony League and the Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be born before December 31, 2013, and may not have completed their junior year of high school by the time of the preliminary round. If you are homeschooled and have questions about eligibility, please contact the competition administrators. All applicants must be legal residents of the state of Illinois, residing full time in Illinois. Students are not eligible for the competition if they are past winners or are under professional management.
All participants will be required to provide proof of eligibility. Examples of acceptable documents are listed below. One item from each category is required. Competition administrators reserve the right to request additional documents confirming eligibility, if necessary.
- Proof of age
- State ID
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of grade
- School ID
- School enrollment paperwork
- Proof of residency
- Recent utilities bill
- School ID
Application Instructions
A non-refundable fee of $60, payable online, must accompany each application. See the application form for payment details.
All applications are due by October 11, 2026 at 11:59pm CST.
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for any family who can demonstrate that such assistance is required. This assistance can include a waiver of the registration fee or assistance with accompanist fees. To apply for financial assistance, the applicant must submit with the application a one-page letter requesting financial aid and explaining why this assistance is necessary.
Competition Requirements
- Applicants must perform one entire movement of a concerto. Due to limited time, the preliminary round judges may request that the performer stop or skip sections.
- Applicants are required to perform from memory.
- All applicants must audition with and provide their own accompanist for the preliminary round. Applicants will be accompanied by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the final round.
- Applicants selected as finalists must be available on January 14 and 15, 2027, to rehearse with the Civic Orchestra.
- Applicants must provide three photocopies of the solo part for the judges.
Preliminary Round
The preliminary round of the competition will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, in Buntrock Hall at Chicago Symphony Center.
The preliminary round will be held before a panel of judges and is closed to the general public. Up to four finalists may be selected at the judges’ discretion.
Final Round
The final round of the competition will take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027 in Orchestra Hall at Chicago Symphony Center. All finalists will be accompanied by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
The finals will be open to a public audience. After the competition, the winner will be announced from the stage.
Prizes and Awards
- One winning finalist will be selected to perform with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 2027/28 Season. Chicago Symphony, in conference with the designated guest conductor, reserves the right to determine the repertoire and length of the winner’s performance with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- Students who participate in the preliminary round of the competition are eligible to apply for a scholarship to be used at a summer program for the audition instrument. This funding will be awarded to one or more promising students who the audition judges feel will benefit most from the experience. Secondarily, the issue of a deserving student’s financial need may be considered. See the online application for instructions.
Repertoire
Applicants must audition by playing a single movement of a concerto, or a work up to 20 minutes that has orchestral accompaniment.
The Chicago Symphony reserves the right to deny certain repertoire selections due to extensive orchestration needs that cannot be met. If the repertoire is not approved, applicants will receive an email soon after submitting the application. At this point, applicants may select alternative repertoire, or withdraw the application.
Summer Camp Scholarships
The Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition provides financial assistance to attend a music camp or festival in the summer of 2027. Funding must be used at a program for the audition instrument. This funding will be awarded to one or more promising scholarship applicants who the audition judges feel will benefit most from the experience. Secondarily, the issue of a deserving student’s financial need may be considered.
See the online application form for instructions on applying for a scholarship.
