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Each year, independent judges are invited to evaluate the competition, and it is a proud tradition to feature YSDP players who are the finest young artists in the Chicagoland area.

Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra level players competed in the 2026 Annual Youth Symphony of DuPage Concerto Competition on January 25, 2026. We extend heartfelt gratitude to every musician who participated. Your dedication, preparation, and passion for music were evident, and we are grateful to each of you for sharing your talent with us.

Competitions like this showcase the technical skills and hard work that make the music special. Whether this was the first competition or one of many, the musicians’ courage to perform and their commitment to growth are commendable. We are grateful to families, teachers, and accompanists for their support of their musical journey. We are inspired by the energy and enthusiasm the musicians bring to our YSDP community.

The 2026 Annual Youth Symphony of DuPage Concerto Competition information

Students are encouraged to start preparing for the 2026 Annual Concerto Competition. They are required to obtain prior approval of their music selection from their conductor before beginning to rehearse and memorize for the next competition.  Please email your music to your conductor for approval and copy to audition@ysdp.org upon approval. The music will be returned to the student once the competition is complete.

Your music must be a PDF containing all pages (in 1 file). Please do not submit each page.

The student must play one complete movement of a piece, which should be no longer than 8-10 minutes long. Submit a scanned copy (one PDF, not multiple pages) of your music with measures marked for the judges. Please email it to audition@ysdp.org or drop it off at the check-in desk in an envelope labeled with your name.

A piano accompanist is required. The student will provide the name of their piano accompanist at the audition registration. 

Final decisions concerning solo performances are at the sole discretion of the Music Director.

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To Symphony Orchestra Members:

If you are chosen to perform with the Symphony Orchestra during the April concert, orchestral accompaniments must be easily accessible and affordable. You are encouraged to research and inform YSDP of the cost and availability of your music selection before receiving approval.

Students will discuss where / how to access the orchestral accompaniment parts with their private teacher.

Students must play complete movements of pieces.  Appropriate cuts may be used if the piece is too long.  Only one movement can be used for the audition.

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PAST WINNERS: The Prior 1st place winners must wait one year to apply for the competition. 

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Concerto Competition!

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Winners of the 2024-2525 Youth Symphony of DuPage’s Annual Concerto Competition:

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2025 Concerto Competition Concert Orchestra Division Winners

1st Place: Laine Van Cleave, Violin, Romanze by Johan S. Svensden, piano accompanied by Cindy Trowbridge.

2nd Place: Audrey Ho, Violin, Concerto No. 5 in D, Opus 22, 3rd movement by Seitz, piano accompanied by Chris Garofalo

3rd Place: Andre Cheng, Violin, Violin Concerto No. 2 in G major by Joseph Haydn

The Concert Division 1st Place winner, Laine Van Cleave, has the honor of performing solo at the upcoming Winter Concert on February 7th with piano accompanied by Cindy Trowbridge. 

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2025 Concerto Competition Symphony Orchestra Division Winners

1st Place: Adi Bawiskar, Violin, Barber Violin Concerto Movement 1 by Samuel Barber, piano accompanied by Chris Gu

2nd Place: Tazuma Koh, Trombone, Trombone Concerto Mvmt. 1 by Launy Grondahl, piano accompanied by Haeyoung Han

3rd Place: Emily Park, Violin, Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22 by Henryk Wieniawski, accompanied by Haeyoung Han

Honorable Mention: Bianca Bares, Harp, performed Concerto in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by Julie Spring

The Symphony Division 1st Place winner, Adi Bawiskar, has the honor of performing as a violin soloist in the Spring Concert on April 13, 2025, with the YSDP Symphony Orchestra accompanying him.

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