Support ChiME

Did you have music in your life while growing up? If so, take a moment to think about all the benefits it provided for you. Now imagine that thousands of kids in the Chicago area do not have access to meaningful music experiences. No general music class, no band or orchestra, no choir, or instrument lessons. In fact, in the Chicago Public Schools, music is NOT a mandated part of the curriculum. Kids can go through their 12 years of schooling without ever touching an instrument or singing a note together with others. In addition, there are thousands of children with disabilities in Chicago schools who don’t have access to music programs catered to their specific needs. 

ChiME fills this void by providing meaningful musical experiences to kids regardless of their social-economic status or learning abilities. We believe that everyone should have access to the many benefits of arts education - especially music. Two of the benefits we focus on the most are the joy of active music making and the development of life skills through music. Our goal is to provide everyone opportunities to tap into their creativity, express themselves musically, and grow their skills and character through music. 

The funds we raise will enable us to continue delivering our music programs to students across the city. Your financial gift will help us offer continued tuition assistance to existing recipients and grow the pool of new ones. It will make it possible for us to deliver music programs to more schools, more classrooms, and more students. It will support us in hiring, developing, and preparing teaching artists and therapists for their assignments in the classrooms. It will provide instruments for students and classroom materials.