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

Download our 2011 Summer Newsletter (pdf).

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

2011-2012 is Chris Ramaekers’ 4th 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

January 5th, 2012 by appointment only
January 12th and 19th, 2012 - limited times available by appointment only
Please call 248-935-6694 or email auditions@hpys.org to schedule a time.

Upcoming Season

Please view the 2011-2012 Season Schedule (pdf).

Concert Dates to Remember:
Holiday Concert, Sunday, Dec. 4th, 2011, 3:00 PM, at HP Union
Winter Concert, Sunday, March 4th, 2012, 3:00 PM, at DuSable Museum
Spring Concert, Sunday, May 20th, 2012, 3:00 PM, at HP Union

Special Performance:
Hyde Park Union Church, TBA

Mission