Under the leadership of Music Director Allen Tinkham, the Symphony Orchestra features top high school age musicians from the Chicago area. The Symphony Orchestra's annual season includes fall and spring performances at Symphony Center, Orchestra Hall; concerts in Chicago area suburbs; educational performances; a concerto competition; masterclasses; and collaborations with leading cultural institutions.

Now in its 63rd season, the Symphony Orchestra has achieved international recognition for its excellence and innovation in orchestral training. The organization is known as an important training ground for the cultivation of the next generation of professional musicians. In fact, you can hear our alumni playing in more than 40 orchestras around the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Presidents Own, Cleveland Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, among others.

The Symphony Orchestra is a leader in the performance of contemporary orchestral music among youth. In the spring of 2009, CYSO was recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) with its eigth award in Adventurous Programming. Symphony Orchestra members continue to break new ground in the world of classical music through collaborative work with other kinds of music. In August 2007, members of the Symphony Orchestra had the pleasure of working with the rock band, My Morning Jacket, and became the first ever classical music ensemble to perform at the legendary rock music festival, Lollapalooza, in Chicago.

Symphony Orchestra also is renowned for its international touring program; presenting Chicago’s best young musicians to international audiences around the world. Click here for more information on touring.

Members of the Symphony Orchestra also participate in Encore Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Music, Principal Players and Percussion Ensemble.