Good for Chicago: Free music school for kids
At our firm, music is a big part of our team's lives. We enjoy concerts and festivals, and always play tunes in the office. Further, we believe there's a strong connection between school achievement and musical aptitude. Our team is quite pleased to support a charity that introduces music to Chicago's underserved kids while potentially building Chicago's music scene.
Since 2014, we’ve been running our Thanks to You program, where our residential clients can direct a portion of our fees to a charity on our curated list. This post is one of a series to tell our readers a little more about these organizations and why we chose them.
The People’s Music School (TPMS) is the first and only completely FREE music school in the country. Their founder, Rita Simo, a Julliard-trained pianist, started TPMS in 1976 with just $625, a donated piano, and the belief that all children should have access to music education—regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Simo’s belief and hard work paid off. Today, TMSP annually serves 700 students from 45 different zip codes. Their students receive intensive instruction and participate in live performances across the city. Since 2015, they’ve more than doubled their student population, and aim to take in more students off their long waiting list.
TPMS students study a wide variety of instruments and voice, and they all perform with an ensemble—everything from a full orchestra or jazz band to new music and choir. Through their studies and the school’s strong culture of support, TPMS students find their voice and develop essential life skills.
TMPS also creates high-impact partnerships with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Public Schools, Bottom Line college prep, Young Chicago Authors and The Obama Foundation. It’s good company to keep.
Not only is TPMS 100% free, it boasts a 100% high school graduation and college attendance rate. No wonder there’s a waiting list! And the best part, the kids get to perform all over the city.
Please check the TMPS site to see a concert or make a donation (or both). Experience the power of music education first hand.
Learn more: The People’s Music School, Thanks to You
Since 2014, we’ve been running our Thanks to You program, where our residential clients can direct a portion of our fees to a charity on our curated list. This post is one of a series to tell our readers a little more about these organizations and why we chose them.
The People’s Music School (TPMS) is the first and only completely FREE music school in the country. Their founder, Rita Simo, a Julliard-trained pianist, started TPMS in 1976 with just $625, a donated piano, and the belief that all children should have access to music education—regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Simo’s belief and hard work paid off. Today, TMSP annually serves 700 students from 45 different zip codes. Their students receive intensive instruction and participate in live performances across the city. Since 2015, they’ve more than doubled their student population, and aim to take in more students off their long waiting list.
TPMS students study a wide variety of instruments and voice, and they all perform with an ensemble—everything from a full orchestra or jazz band to new music and choir. Through their studies and the school’s strong culture of support, TPMS students find their voice and develop essential life skills.
TMPS also creates high-impact partnerships with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Public Schools, Bottom Line college prep, Young Chicago Authors and The Obama Foundation. It’s good company to keep.
Not only is TPMS 100% free, it boasts a 100% high school graduation and college attendance rate. No wonder there’s a waiting list! And the best part, the kids get to perform all over the city.
Please check the TMPS site to see a concert or make a donation (or both). Experience the power of music education first hand.
Learn more: The People’s Music School, Thanks to You
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