Music Classes & Instrument Scholarship Program
Our MTME Early Childhood Scholarship Program focuses on children up to four years of age by focuses on engaging them in a music enrichment class both for the child and their primary caregiver. These classes provide all the benefits of music class participation such as experiencing movement, rhythm, and percussion instruments; building sensory awareness and gross motor skills while interacting with other children their age through song and play; and bonding with their caregiver.
Continuing a deaf or hard of hearing child’s music education, our MTME Instrument Scholarship Program helps provide music instrument lessons for children ages four and above. From ukulele to piano and percussive instruments the Foundation’s goal is to deliver high quality music education programming.
Music classes present a space where students can find magical transitions; from shy to confident, lonely to part of a group, the softest spoken become heard. We see children who were afraid to participate becoming the leader of the song, march, band!
Music class helps kids become creative, confident, life-long learners!
MTME SCHOLARSHIP PARTNER SCHOOLS
The MTME Scholarship Program provides a year of tuition-free instruction.
Parents can apply for either early education classes or instrument instruction.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES
Our Music to My Ears (MTME) scholarship children are placed in classes with their hearing peers to encourage socialization. All of the teachers have been versed on the hearing needs of a deaf or hard of hearing child. Start your child on their music journey and connect sound to movement.
Early childhood classes feature unique small group early childhood music enrichment programs, where the focus is on creating a musical experience for the child. Their top level Early Childhood specialists incorporate song, chant, movement exercises, and instrument play to develop a child’s imagination, musical awareness, and expressiveness teaching our little ones childhood classics and new songs in both Spanish and English allows for learning the essential musical building blocks and taking their first steps on a lifetime journey of musical appreciation.
INSTRUMENT LESSONS
The next step in the Music to My Ears (MTME) program is instrument lessons for children ages four and above. If your deaf or hard of hearing child would like to take piano, guitar or drums lessons; be a part of a band or musical theatre, our partner schools have classes at the entry level up to expert for a wide range of instruments.
For every student that discovers an aptitude for music, scores of others develop habits of mind and behavior. Music education facilitates self-discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and empathy that enhance our students’ social-emotional learning and serve them throughout their lives.
Each of our partner schools offer unique instruction for ages 4 and up. The MTME students will be placed in the age and level appropriate group with key supports along the way to give them every opportunity to be successful in their musical journey.
Merit School of Music offers:
Early Childhood Music Classes – Ages 0 – 5
Individual and Group Instrument Classes – ages 4-14
Piano, Guitar, String & Band
38 South Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Old Town School of Folk Music Offers:
Early Childhood Wiggleworms classes – ages 0-4
individual & group instrument classes – ages 5-12
in piano, drums, guitar, ukulele & fiddle.
In-person classes are available at their Logan Square and Lincoln Park locations in Chicago.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL of THE ARTS – WHEATON COLLEGE offers:
Early Childhood Music Classes – Ages 0-4
Music Makers & Suzuki Little Stars – Ages 4-6
in keyboard & strings
501 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187-5501
MUSIC MAKERS OF WESTERN SPRINGS offers:
Individual Instrument Classes
in Piano, Strings, Drums, Guitar/Ukulele
& Musical Theatre
4332 HOWARD AVENUE
WESTERN SPRINGS, IL, 60558
SCHOOL OF ROCK offers:
Performance-based music education system, and includes individual lessons, group rehearsals and live performances – ages 8-16
3139 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062
and
219 LAKE STREET
OAK PARK, IL 60302
Music & Movement offers:
Early Childhood Music & Movement Classes – ages 9 mo – 4 yrs
1000 Elm Street
Glenview, IL 60025
Tiny Toes Music
Our playful music classes for Babies, toddlers & preschoolers support every child, no matter their age, learning style, or stage of development.
Locations in Hinsdale, La Grange & Burr Ridge.
Encore Music Academy
Individual Instrument Classes
MTME INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASS SCHOLARSHIPS
The Music To My Ears Program allows all children, regardless of financial need, to attend Early Childhood Music Classes, or Small group instrument lessons along with a weekly private lesson on the instrument of their choice.
The scholarship provides one year of tuition-free music classes to (up to 12 years of age) who are deaf or hard of hearing and living in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
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