About the role
The Chicago Philharmonic’s Community Engagement Programs aim to make classical music accessible to all Chicagoans by bridging the gap between the musicians in their orchestra and the local community. Their programs involve bringing music into public schools, hosting free concerts in public spaces, providing young musicians with performance opportunities, and offering mentoring programs for exceptional young musicians. One of their programs, Side by Side with the Chicago Philharmonic, brings free symphonic concerts to Chicago parks in local communities on the South and West sides. The AMP program brings Chicago Philharmonic musicians to schools for a six-week period to teach music lessons, play alongside students in side-by-side rehearsals and concerts, and improve students’ music technique. The Families to the Phil program underwrites symphonic concert tickets for students and their families from Chicago-area public schools, community music schools, and youth orchestras. Additionally, the program hosts the Spotlight program, which gives professional symphonic performance opportunities to exceptional young musicians, and the NEXT! initiative, which showcases emerging musicians to Chicago Philharmonic patrons, musicians, and conductors. Finally, the Chicago Philharmonic Paid Summer Internship is offered to four high school students each summer and includes mentorship and training in areas of arts administration such as marketing, development, operations, and community engagement, as well as a musical performance element guided by Chicago Philharmonic musicians.