DuPage County is brimming with creative outlets for its younger residents. Locally, Naperville is home to organizations including BrightSide Theatre, Kidz Kabaret, Youth Symphony of DuPage, and Naperville Art League that provide access to artistic development in a variety of forms.
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is among the key contributors to youth engagement and will be presenting Young at Heart, its penultimate concert for the 2024 – 2025 Bold and Beautiful season. The production, supported in part by a generous grant from the Arts DuPage Arts and Culture Grant Program, is set for 3PM Sun., March 16, at Wentz Concert Hall and is touted as a dynamic performance showcasing the young, talented musicians of DuPage County.
The concert features DSO’s 2025 Young Artists Audition Winner, a high school-aged professional-level musician, and culminates with a performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a perennial audience favorite known for its vivid musical imagery and skillful use of instrumental colors.
It also includes a gala collaboration with the Young Naperville Singers (YNS), a premier community-based organization dedicated to children’s choral music education. “Through this union, both the DSO and YNS strategically position themselves to introduce classical and choral music to new audiences, particularly those from communities that have traditionally been underserved or are unfamiliar with partner organizations,” said Mari
Ullrick, DSO’s strategic director of operations and engagement. “By uniting diverse talents, we created a rich cultural experience that appeals to a broad audience, introducing new patrons to the arts and providing young performers with invaluable opportunities to grow. Together with YNS, we showcase the power of music to connect people and strengthen our community.”
Ullrick acknowledged the impact of the additional funding from Arts DuPage.
“The grant enables us to spotlight the incredible talent within DuPage and surrounding counties. It supports young musicians by offering them a professional platform to perform alongside the DSO, building confidence and inspiring future artistic endeavors. For audiences, the Young at Heart concert highlights the richness of local artistry while delivering an engaging and memorable cultural experience. The partnership with Arts DuPage also benefits participating organizations, ensuring the arts continue to thrive in our region.”
DuPage Symphony Orchestra presents, Young at Heart / Wentz Concert Hall – 171 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville / 3PM Sunday, March 16 / Tickets: $10 – $43 / dupagesymphonyorchestra.org
