IN RESIDENCE AT
YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY
STARTS HERE.
The Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra is the Youth Orchestra in Residence at the Elmhurst University Department of Music. Our award-winning program brings together dedicated young musicians from across Chicagoland to perform powerful orchestral repertoire, build lifelong friendships, and experience the transformative impact of music in a collaborative and inspiring artistic community.
FIND YOUR ENSEMBLE
STRING
ORCHESTRA
Preparatory string ensemble for beginning and intermediate-level string musicians. MSO introduces the foundation of orchestral training and the importance of collaboration among musicians.
PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA
Our flagship ensemble for intermediate and advanced strings, winds, and percussion. Repertoire is selected from a wide range of mature, high-level pieces that challenges self-discipline and artistic excellence in each musician.
CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA
Advanced chamber ensemble composed of the top players in MPO. Focused on refined ensemble playing, MCO performs chamber repertoire that emphasizes precision, leadership, and the highest level of collaborative music-making.
WHY STUDENTS LOVE MPO
Inspiring repertoire
Classical masterworks, underrepresented composers, and new pieces.
World-class venues
Perform at beautiful venues throughout Chicagoland and the world.
Welcoming community
Collaborate with friends and create memories that last a lifetime.
Accessibility
We believe in actively reducing barriers of entry through low-cost tuition.
AUDITION PROCESS
1. Apply Online
MPO auditions are free and accessible to all.
See requirements below
2. Faculty Review
Our audition committee carefully reviews each audition.
3. Placement
A notification of admission will be sent
1-2 weeks following your audition.
4. Join the season
Become part of our welcoming community of young musicians!
2026 Audition Deadline:
July 1st, 2026, 11:59pm CT
(extended)
Please contact the office to be considered after the deadline.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
SCALES
[Winds and Brass] All 12 major scales.
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Click here to see your instrument's required scales.
[Strings] Please refer to your required scales below. Scales should be played at 80 to 120 per quarter note with separate bows.
Midwest String Orchestra
(Two scales of choice)
Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra & Chamber Orchestra
(One scale of choice, one required)
SOLO REPERTOIRE
[Winds and Brass] Two contrasting solos, movements or etudes. No accompaniment needed.
[Strings] A solo piece that shows the candidate’s techniques, musical interpretation and musicianship. No accompaniment needed. Please see guidelines below:
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Midwest String Orchestra (For all strings): One solo piece of choice.
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Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra (For all strings): Two contrasting solo pieces that include up to 3rd (or higher) position.
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Midwest Chamber Orchestra:
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Violin: Mozart Concerto No. 4 or 5, or something equivalent
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Viola: Stamitz Concerto in D, or something equivalent
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Cello: Haydn Concerto in C or D, or something equivalent
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Bass: A standard concert piece
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There is NO sight-reading required.
Please contact the office (info@midphil.org) for percussion auditions.
Participation in school orchestra and band programs are required for all candidates.
2026 Audition Deadline:
July 1st, 2026, 11:59pm CT
(extended)
Please contact the office to be considered after the deadline.
RECENT REPERTOIRE
Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"
George Walker - Lyric for Strings
Samuel Sharp - Optimism of the Will, Pessimism of the Intellect (MPO Commission)
Pamela Sklar - Green Awakening (Chicago Premiere)
Jean Sibelius - Symphony No. 2
Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No. 8
Joel Hoo - Will'o the Wisp (MPO Commission)
Maurice Ravel - Mother Goose Suite
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5
Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No. 7
Ludwig Van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5
TUITION INFORMATION
The MPO believes financial circumstances should not discourage students from pursuing music education and works to support accessibility whenever possible.
2026-27 SEASON TUITION RATES
Midwest String Orchestra: $610
Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra: $700
Midwest Chamber Orchestra: $760
+ Annual Experience Fee: $280
(For the 2026/27 season only, this fee replaces the Annual Retreat Fee to support costs associated with the 20th Anniversary Symphony Center performance in March 2027)
Payment Methods
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Zelle (default)
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Check
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Cash
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Credit/Debit Card (3% fee)
Financial Aid
Performance-based scholarships are awarded to families based on financial need. Scholarships may cover 10-100% of the tuition. Please contact the office to be considered. Funds are limited.
Flexible Payment Plans
Please contact the office to be considered for a payment plan.
One time payments are highly encouraged.
However, financing is available:
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Two equal installments +$10 fee on each payment
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Ex. MSO: $432.50 per payment, owing $865 in total
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Installments due dates are as follows:
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1st Payment: Originally invoiced due date
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2nd Payment: Original + 4 weeks
Financing Policies:
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Financing is only available to students who join from the first rehearsal of the fall cycle
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Refunds:
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In the case of withdrawal from the program before the third rehearsal, 30% of the total invoiced amount (incl. financing fees) will be non-refundable, resulting in the following refund amounts:
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Midwest String Orchestra
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$179 refundable
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Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra
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$196 refundable
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Midwest Chamber Orchestra
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$208 refundable
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In the case of withdrawal from the program after the third rehearsal, no refunds will be given.
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How To Pay
Please send Zelle payments to info@midphil.org with the student's name in the memo.
We recommend cash payments to be handed directly to an MPO staff member.
Instructions for paying by check:
1. Make payable to "Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra"
2. Include student's name on memo.
3. [IMPORTANT] Address to:
Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra
C/o Elmhurst University Music Department
190 S. Prospect Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Please contact the office for credit/debit card payments.
Refund Policy
Seventy percent of the full tuition will be refunded for withdrawals before the third rehearsal.
There are no refunds past the third rehearsal.
Please see refund policy for financing, above.
There are no make-up sessions, credits, or refunds for missed rehearsals.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Rehearsal Locations
Rehearsals take place in Irion Hall or Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, both on the campus of Elmhurst University.
190 S. Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Rehearsal Schedule
There are approximately 10 rehearsals per concert. Rehearsals are held on Sundays, with some exceptions adjusting to holidays.
Midwest String Orchestra: 1:15-2:45 PM
Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra: 3:00-5:30 PM
Midwest Chamber Orchestra: 5:45-6:30 PM
Rehearsal times are subject to change throughout the season and will be communicated with all members.
Concerts
There are 3 annual concerts in mid-November, mid-February, and late-May in addition to special events, runouts, and tours throughout the year.
Attendance Policy
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Attendance will be taken upon arrival at each rehearsal via sign-in. It is the student's responsibility to sign-in at every rehearsal.
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Students should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the posted rehearsal time.
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Students are required to attend all rehearsals with the exception of 1 excused absence with a minimum 12 hour advanced notice per semester.
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A second excused absence will be based on the music director's discretion. Any other excused absences may result in termination of membership for the rest of the season.
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All unexcused absences will be investigated and may result in termination of membership for the rest of the season.
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Attendance for all dress rehearsals, soundchecks, and concerts are absolutely mandatory for all members. An unexcused absence from a concert will result in termination for all succeeding seasons and may result in being billed for the cost of a substitute musician. (~$300)
Concert Tours
The MPO tours nationally or internationally every few years in the summer.
2015- Detroit
2017- Vienna and Salzburg, Austria
2018- Carnegie Hall, New York
2020- Prague, Bratislava and Budapest (cancelled due to COVID-19)
2023- Los Angeles International Music Festival at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Concert Dress Code
Black tuxedo/suit with white dress shirt, black bow tie. Black dress shoes with black socks.
OR
All-black concert attire. Black dress shoes and black socks. (gender neutral)
Musician’s Photographs
Occasionally, photographs of students are used in publications and other media by the MPO and Elmhurst University. Through enrollment in the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra, the musician accepts the use of their photographs in these materials unless otherwise stated.
