Midwest Young Artists Conservatory

rdf:langString Midwest Young Artists Conservatory

rdf:langString Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC), the largest youth ensemble music program in the Midwest, was founded in 1993 in Evanston, Illinois by Dr. and consisted of a single orchestra. Since then, MYAC has grown exponentially and now includes nine youth symphony orchestras, 65+ chamber ensembles, a comprehensive jazz and big band program, a wind symphony, four choral groups, and an entry level early childhood music program for children as young as 12 months. MYAC is renowned for its prize-winning Chamber Music Program. Other enrichment activities, such as music theory classes and Summer Music Programs, are also offered at the MYAC Center on the grounds of historic Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois, and Bennett Gordon Hall at Ravinia Park. Nearly 1000 student musicians from 78 cities throughout the Chicago metropolitan area are enrolled in Midwest Young Artists Conservatory programs. MYAC ensembles are coached by a staff of professional musician-educators, which includes members of Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Chamber Players. MYAC orchestras, jazz ensembles, and choral groups have performed at a variety of venues each year, including the Harris Theater and Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Symphony Center in Chicago, Pick-Staiger Auditorium at Northwestern University, the Ravinia Festival and Chicago's Hot House. In 2007, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory became the first youth orchestra ever to perform at the Civic Opera House in Chicago. Every two to three years, MYAC students also have the opportunity to participate in international concert tours, to locations such as Germany (2010), China and Korea (2007), Spain and Portugal (2005), Switzerland (2004), Vienna (2001), and Scotland (1998). Each year, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory hosts the Walgreens National Concerto Competition, for young soloists, and the Discover National Chamber Music Competition, for young string, brass, percussion and wind ensembles. Midwest Young Artists Conservatory students have won top prizes at the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and Rembrandt Chamber Players High School Chamber Music Competition and have appeared on the radio and television program "From the Top" and on broadcasts on WFMT. Recordings of Midwest Young Artists Conservatory ensembles and interviews with conductors, soloists, and ensemble members can be viewed on MYAC's YouTube Channel and heard on MYAC's SoundCloud channel. In March 2019, MYAC was named the 2019 Youth Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, the fourth time in the organization's 29-year history.