Mission
Christopher Ramaekers conducting the Hyde Park Youth Symphony
The Hyde Park Youth Symphony is a community-based organization dedicated to providing a high-quality arts experience to youth on the south side of Chicago and nurturing in them a love for music that will last a lifetime. The Symphony serves a broad range of young people and families, from a variety of public, private, and home school programs, and from a diversity of racial, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds.
Download the latest version of the HPYS Handbook (pdf).
News & Announcements
Opportunities for Involvement
Parents: We operate, succeed and prosper with your help. Please download the Opportunities for Involvement form (PDF) and choose which area(s) would best benefit from your enthusiasm and talent(s).
Handbook Agreement
You may now download the HPYS Handbook agreement form (pdf). Please return a copy, signed by you and your parents or guardians, to Joyce Norman at rehearsal.
Christopher Ramaekers, Music Director, director@hpys.org
Chris Ramaekers. Photo by John Lacko
2009-2010 is Chris Ramaekers’ 2nd season with the HPYS. A conductor with wide-ranging interests and experiences, Chris is conductor of the Orchestra of St. Vincents’s in Chicago and is Music Director at the Community Christian Church in Lincolnshire, IL and the New Music Project, a contemporary music ensemble in Kalamazoo, MI. He was Director of Bands at the Gagie School, in Kalamazoo, MI and has appeared as guest conductor with a variety of ensembles and organizations.
Chris holds a Masters Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University and a Bachelors Degree in Trumpet Performance from Western Michigan University.
Upcoming Events
Auditions
Auditions will be held on Thursdays by special appointment through October 1, 2009 and again in January, 2010. Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Please email auditions@hpys.org to schedule a time. ALL AUDITIONS MUST BE PRE-SCHEDULED.
Upcoming Season
Please view the 2009-2010 Season Schedule (pdf).
Concert Dates to Remember:
Holiday Concert, Sunday, 12/6/09, 7:00 PM
Winter Concert, Sunday, 3/7/10, 3:00 PM
Spring Concert, Sunday, 5/23/10, 3:00 PM