Young musicians take center stage at the Prairie Center for the Arts

The stage will come alive with the sound of music Sunday, May 3, as the village of Schaumburg’s acclaimed Schaumburg Youth Orchestra Program presents a vibrant series of concerts at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts (soon to be the Al Larson Cultural Center). The Schaumburg Youth Orchestra will conclude their 2025-26 seasons with three dynamic performances showcasing the exceptional talent of local student musicians. In addition, the Prairie Center Arts Foundation will be presenting three $1,000 college scholarships to seniors in the program who were awarded through an application and jury process. Those winners are:

• Jiho Park; The Leo Chan Alumni Award sponsored by SYO Alumni Leo Chan

• Abraham Thomas; The Ruth Park Senior Music Scholarship in memory of Ruth Park

• Aaron Trenery; The Kelliher-Miller Scholarship sponsored by former Schaumburg Village Trustee George Dunham

Concert Schedule:

Schaumburg Youth Orchestra Spring Concerts

Sunday, May 3

• 1 p.m.: Schaumburg Youth String Ensemble & Sinfonia Strings. SYO’s beginner and intermediate musicians take the stage in a strings-only performance highlighting their growth and artistry.

• 3 p.m.: Schaumburg Youth Jazz Orchestra. Enjoy an afternoon of swinging selections performed by SYO’s high school (and high-energy) jazz ensemble.

• 7 p.m.: Schaumburg Youth Concert Orchestra & Symphony Orchestra. The program culminates with a powerful performance from SYO’s advanced ensembles. This concert also marks the retirement of Symphony Orchestra Director Kevan Kosobayashi, who concludes a distinguished tenure with the SYO. In addition to the performance, the Illinois Council of Orchestras will honor former Cultural Department Assistant Director Rob Pileckis, who will be presented with the ICO’s 2025 Executive Director of the Year Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership in the field.

Tickets are $9 in advance, $11 at the door; $5/$7 for ages 18 and younger.

The Young Artists programs continue to provide high-quality performing arts education and performance opportunities for students throughout the region. Families interested in getting involved can learn more at prairiecenter.org/youngartists.

For tickets and additional information, visit prairiecenter.org or contact the box office at (847) 895-3600.