Rehearsals

Wednesday, May 27, 2026  6:30-9:30 pm Lakeside High School

Thursday, May 28, 2026     6:30-9:30 pm Lakeside High School

Monday, June 1, 2026        6:30-9:30 pm Lakeside High School

Repertoire

SKYLINES IN SOUND - Music from Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

8:00 am EST:

10:00 am EST:

11:00 am CST:

11:45 am:

1:00 pm:

1:30 pm:

4:00 pm:

5:00 pm:

6:45 pm:

7:30 pm:

9:30 pm:

11:00 pm:

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

3:45 pm:

4:00 pm:

5:00 pm:

6:15 pm:

7:00 pm:

7:30 pm:

9:30 pm:

10:00 pm:

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

Best of Second City 8:00 pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

7:00 am CST:

9:10 am CST:

12:05 pm EST:

12:40 pm EST:

Q&A

How does it work if parents and families are joining the Chicago trip?

Families are welcome to join the Chicago tour! However, AYWS only books for student musicians, so all hotel, transportation, meal, and cultural event bookings and payment must be done by the family. Parents are welcome to “join” as shadow tourists—including rehearsals, meals, cultural events, etc., but would not be included on AYWS student bookings.

How are we getting around?CTA “L” Map

All students will receive a Ventra card for the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) train, called the “L” (for “elevated”). All of our travel is within or close to the Chicago “Loop,” and the Palmer House Hilton is positioned on the Adams/Wabash station (east toward Lake Michigan) and State Street station (west toward Iowa). We will travel all together or in small groups (Adventure pods).

CTA “L” Map

What are the adventure pods?CTA “L” Map

AYWS has a tradition of allowing students to choose-their-own-adventure for a portion of the tour. Saturday afternoon offers a four-hour block to explore one of Chicago’s fabulous institutions (Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, etc.). Students will select their choice on a survey and the admission fee is included in their tour payment. All Adventure Pods will have a staff chaperone present.

How does rooming work?

Students may select same-sex roommates or be placed by the staff in quads (4 per room, 2 per bed). Roommates need to work out a schedule and bathroom plan for showers and changing. We spend very little time in the hotel, and this is a great time to make new friends. The standing rule is that only members of the room may be in the room at any time. This solves all problems.

”Room check” is a staff member checking to make sure the correct four bodies are in the correct room. We do not enforce “lights out”—just be sure that you receive adequate sleep, just like you do during the school year.

What about instruments?

Small and medium-sized instruments (up to alto saxophone/trumpet) may be carried on the plane as “personal items.” Large instruments should be placed on the equipment truck in a travel-appropriate case (not soft gig bag). (Small instruments may also be placed on the equipment truck.)

What about percussion?

We are borrowing large percussion from Deerfield High School and will facilitate pick up and drop off in Chicago. Small percussion will be packed in the equipment truck.

Baggage

Southwest charges $35 for checked baggage, so we would prefer that everyone carry on their small suitcase and a personal item. The personal item may by your instrument or a backpack (which could include your instrument IN your backpack.

Double Reed Players

Put any murderous, sharp reed-carving apparatus in a storage crate on the Equipment truck. DO NOT attempt to bring these items through TSA/on the plane.