Young People's Concerts

Our Young People's Concerts bring the excitement and joy of classical music to school-aged children all around Chicago in unexpected and inventive ways.

Classical Music Chicago's

Young People's Concerts

We are pleased to offer Young People’s Concerts both as a field trip to a selection of our weekly Dame Myra Hess Concerts and as in-school performances designed just for K–6 classrooms. Each program provides students with an inspiring introduction to live classical music.

Learn more about each option below.

FREE FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITY
Bring Your Students to the 
Dame Myra Hess Concerts

These concerts will introduce your students to the beauty of live classical music, performed by extraordinary young professional musicians from around the world. Concerts take place on Wednesdays from 12:15–1:00 pm at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago (55 E. Wacker Drive).

Your students will attend alongside our regular audience, giving them the unique experience of being part of a live public concert.

2027 Hess Performance Dates:

  • Carter Johnson, Piano: February 24, 2027
  • Karisa Chiu, Violin: March 17, 2027
  • Prometheus Quartet: April 14, 2027
  • Hannah White, Violin: May 19, 2027
  • Jakob Taylor, Cello: June 2, 2027

How it works:

  • Reserve your group’s space for one of the dates above.
  • You’ll receive information about the repertoire before each concert.
  • Simply arrive with your students and enjoy an unforgettable musical experience!
Reserve a Hess Field Trip

IN-SCHOOL CLASSICAL MUSIC 
Concerts Brought Directly to Your School

We are no longer receiving applications for this program.

CMC brings the excitement of live music right into the classroom with our Young People’s Concerts! This free program offers performances to K-6 CPS schools and those with underserved populations. Interactive and engaging, this program introduces students to a wide variety of music and musical concepts. Teachers can apply for performances to come to their schools.

Available Ensembles and Dates:
Learn more about each ensemble below.

  • ~Nois Saxophone Quartet · Nov 16-20, 2026
  • Varo String Quartet · Dec 7-11, 2026
  • Gaudete Brass Quintet · May 17-21, 2027
  • Alloy Horn Quartet · May 24-28, 2027

How it works:

  • How: Submit a performance request and choose whether to prioritize your preferred ensemble or an available date.

  • When: Performances take place throughout the academic year, subject to availability.

  • Where: Takes place in schools and central locations.

  • Cost: Free

We are no longer receiving applications for this program.

Young People's Concerts 2026/27  

IN-SCHOOL 
ROSTER OF MUSICIANS


~Nois Saxophone Quartet

Available Dates: November 16-20, 2026

What would Taylor Swift sound like if she played the soprano saxophone? This presentation introduces chamber music to a younger audience through pop tunes, Disney melodies, and age-appropriate classical tunes. With a book of over 70 covers and pieces, there’s something in ~Nois’ arrangements for every child to sing along to. From radio hits by Katy Perry and Sabrina Carpenter, to movie soundtrack highlights from KPop Demon Hunters and UP, this demonstration is designed for audience members to dance and have fun while learning about each of the four saxophones. Each selection is short and varied, with explanations on the instruments and questions for ~Nois interspersed throughout.


Varo String Quartet

Available Dates: December 7-11, 2026

Varo String Quartet presents an interactive performance featuring North American minimalism as a gateway to the building blocks of music. Students will explore Nicole Lizee’s Another Living Soul and Phillip Glass’s King Lear, learning about how these composers use rhythm, harmony, and direction to create their unique sound worlds. The performance culminates with “Build Your Own String Quartet,” a collaborative composition in which students create a piece together for Varo String Quartet to premiere as the final work on the program.


Gaudete Brass Quintet

Available Dates: May 17-21, 2027

The Gaudete (Gow-day-tay) Brass is a quintet made up of two trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba. They have been playing together for over 20 years and love playing exciting new music. The quintet is passionate about sharing music from local Chicago composers with their audiences. This program features mostly music by young composers from our city. During the short program Gaudete will share what they love about playing their instruments and how they enjoy working together in a small group to make music.


Alloy Horn Quartet

Available Dates: May 24-28, 2027

Learn about the science of sound through experiential activities and live music! This engaging program explores how sound is produced and comes to life, combining interactive demonstrations with a musical performance by The Alloy Horn Quartet.



Young People's Concerts 2026/27  

FIELD TRIP HESS CONCERT
ROSTER OF MUSICIANS

Carter Johnson, Piano

Dame Myra Hess Concert date:
February 24, 2027

Celebrated for his warm stage presence, compelling musical personality, and cutting-edge programming, Canadian pianist Carter Johnson is known for making classical music speak to all kinds of audiences. With playing described as ”sincere, communicative, and intelligent”, “drop-dead gorgeous”, and even “the greatest thing since sliced bread” (Gramophone), Johnson’s competition laurels include being a finalist in the 2025 Van Cliburn International Competition (the first Canadian in history to do so), the silver laureate of the 2025 Honens International Competition, the first prize winner of the 2025 Dublin International Competition, and the silver medalist in the 2024 Gina Bachauer International Competition. He is a recipient of the CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize.

Karisa Chiu, violin

Dame Myra Hess Concert date:
March 17, 2027

Recognized for her “rare capacity to project a totally distinctive and fascinating intellect” (Spokesman Review) and easy virtuosity...humor, nuance ... [and] playful[ness]” (Cleveland Classical), American violinist Karisa Chiu is the Gold Medalist of the 12th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. She first came to international prominence with her first prize win at the 2021 Isangyun Violin Competition, leading to her debut with the KBS Symphony Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. Karisa has since gone on to solo in some of the most renowned concert halls around the world.

Prometheus Quartet

Dame Myra Hess Concert date:
April 14, 2027

Hailed by the Santa Barbara Independent for their “taut and refined collective sound,” the Prometheus Quartet is an international string quartet inspired by the myth of Prometheus, striving to bring the gift of music to others. Just as Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to humanity, the quartet seeks to spark meaningful connections with audiences through fresh performances of the string quartet repertoire.

Hannah White, violin

Dame Myra Hess Concert date:
May 19, 2027

Described by New York Concert Review as “phenomenal”, award-winning black female violinist, Hannah White, pursues to be an authentic and relatable voice in today’s changing landscape of classical music. Hitting her tempo as a soloist, Hannah soloed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at age nine and has been featured on stage across four continents ever since. Ms. White has soloed with symphonies as Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony Orchestra, and more.

Jakob Taylor, cello

Dame Myra Hess Concert date:
June 2, 2027

Praised for his ridiculous virtuosity and innate musical sensibility, Jakob Taylor is a recipient of Yale’s Aldo Parisot Prize for gifted cellists who show promise for a concert career. A graduate of the Yale School of Music, he has recently completed his Masters of Musical Arts under the esteemed cellist of the Emerson Quartet, Paul Watkins. As a soloist, Jakob has performed at such venues as Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Bargemusic, Jordan Hall, Woolsey Hall, and Stude Hall at Rice University.



December 14, 2023 - CROSSING BORDERS

Crossing Borders Music builds unique and engaging musical experiences for people of all ages. It is one of the quartet's core values. In addition to demonstrating the rich history of the string quartet's repertoire, recent educational programs have been designed to explore topics such as non-verbal communication skills, diversity in Western Classical music, and American history.

RSVP

May 16, 2024 - KAIA STRING QUARTET

KAIA String Quartet is a Chicago-based ensemble specializing in the rich and colorful music of Latin America. In this presentation we will take students on a “musical trip around the world” introducing them to music of different cultures and countries and the instruments of the string quartet. Students will become familiar with musical terms like the beat, composer, and range as well as hear examples of how composers portray stories, feelings and ideas through their music.

RSVP

“Whether it's a trip to the Chicago Cultural Center or an in-school concert, I've made the CMC concert series an instrumental part of my Music curriculum.”

- Mark Coulter, Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center - CPS

Thank you to our supporters

Young People’s Concerts is made possible through the generosity of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation and contributions from individual donors.

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