For nearly 50 years, the Dame Myra Hess Concerts have introduced exceptional emerging musicians to audiences through free weekly performances in the heart of downtown Chicago. Presented by Classical Music Chicago, the series has become an important performance opportunity for young artists, offering the chance to perform in a welcoming concert setting, reach a broad audience, and have their performance broadcast on 98.7 WFMT, Chicago’s premier classical music radio station.
Each year, Classical Music Chicago selects a limited number of outstanding musicians and ensembles to perform on the series. Concerts take place every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago.
We welcome applications from emerging classical musicians and ensembles who are early in their concert careers. Applicants may be:
Artists selected through this process will be invited to perform in the 2027–28 Dame Myra Hess Concert season.
Applications will be accepted September 15–30, 2026. Please return to this page on September 15 for the application link and complete application
requirements.
All application materials will be reviewed by Classical Music Chicago’s Artistic Committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by February 1, 2027.
Questions about the Dame Myra Hess Concerts or the application process may be directed to hessapplications@classicalmusicchicago.org.
We look forward to reviewing your application!
Performers have the opportunity to share their music with an engaged and receptive Chicago audience at the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Most concerts are broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT. Videos of the Hess performances are made available through the CMC
website and YouTube Channel.
Classical Music Chicago provides a performance fee and hotel accommodation for the night prior to the performance. Artists are responsible for travel and other expenses.
