Program Tuition

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras provides world-class orchestra training to students from across the Chicago region. Tuition costs cover approximately 33% of the cost of student programming, with the additional costs covered by donations, grants, and ticket sales. Tuition varies program to program based on the amount of instruction, rehearsal, and performance time provided, and in some cases, also varies based on additional CYSO ensembles a student is enrolled in.

We make our programs accessible to all students, regardless of their financial background. Need-based financial assistance is available for all CYSO programs.

CYSO Program Tuition Rates  2020-2021

Full and String Orchestras
Symphony Orchestra$1,750
Philharmonic Orchestra$1,200
Concert Orchestra$1,050
Accelerando Strings$900
Debut Orchestra$950
Preparatory Strings$950
Overture Strings$600

Jazz
Jazz Orchestra$850

Steel Orchestras
Kaiso Steel Orchestra$700
Junior Steel Orchestra$700
Groove Steel Ensemble$550
Jumbies$300

Supplemental Programs
Chamber Music$700
Composition Seminar$550

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

CYSO believes that a family’s ability to pay should never be a factor in whether or not a student chooses to attend CYSO. Need-based scholarships are awarded each season to students who apply via our Financial Assistance application. Read more about applying for Financial Assistance.

For questions about tuition and financial assistance, contact Martha Nolin at 312-939-2207 x300 or email mnolin@cyso.org