Class meets once a week for 45 minutes; classes are available Mon-Sat. $90 for 8 consecutive weeks. Monday 9:30am opening soon

Tuesday 10:30am Debbie Parks

Wednesday 9:30am Jennifer Collins

Thursday 9:30am Jennifer Collins

Originally posted 2009-07-20 18:21:58.

Rita Fields- Director of Finance

Lea Giblin- Student Coordinator, Store Manager, Graphic Designer

Originally posted 2009-07-22 00:45:32.

By Kris Cullum

Music can be a motivating and fun way to teach all children and in particular children who have special learning needs. It is unquestionable that through the medium of music many essential and enabling life skills can be learned and the benefits that playing and learning music can have on a child’s growth and development are immeasurable.

All children have the same need to express themselves and playing a musical instrument can provide an outlet for creative and emotional expression. When we think of music we don’t often think of it as therapy. But it can be.

The playing of good quality percussion instruments during music therapy sessions can be of inestimable value for children who have difficulties in hearing, seeing, moving, thinking or responding; each can experience the music in their own unique way. The music is not the goal of music therapy. Cognitive stimulation, self-expression, self-awareness, or increased motor movements are some of the goals that music therapy can focus on and the music itself is simply a tool to achieve these goals.

Listening to music for enjoyment is very beneficial but active participation is even better. For children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, playing music may be an effective way to stimulate speech development and communication skills, express emotions, develop a sense of rhythm and provide opportunity for physical, cognitive and motor development whilst creating an environment for socialisation and fun.

Every child can be helped to learn to enjoy and to become involved in music to some degree and instruments tuned to a harmonic pentatonic scale which produce a soothing sound straightaway, makes playing them an instantly gratifying experience.

Playing music and music therapy has proven to be a very effective method in dealing with autism and aspergers syndrome. Most children diagnosed with Autism or Asperger’s lack the social skills that enable them to participate fully in play and other social situations. Interestingly, many children with autism show a heightened interest in music. While they may be unable to easily communicate verbally with others, music is an avenue for many autistic people to express themselves and communicate in a non-verbal, non-threatening manner. Playing music puts the individual at ease, allowing for strides in social interactions to follow.

Easy access to musical instruments may provide an outlet that encourages children to use music to deal with emotional issues, especially when they are unable to express them through speech. Where words fail, music may be a medium through which to explore one’s inner world and experiences. Often people with developmental delays and learning disabilities such as Down’s syndrome will respond to music. The easy, non-challenging way in which pentatonic instruments can be played offers opportunities for response and expression to children and adults with such developmental delays.

Musical instruments in the classroom or playground offer blind or partially sighted children the opportunity to explore and musical sound and awareness. Instruments, which are simple to play and enable creative experimentation and tactile exploration, encourage the use of motor skills, thus developing coordination whilst stimulating the imagination.

Music is a tool that is used in pain management and healing for children undergoing medical procedures and as a comfort for those who have suffered a traumatic experience. Music can be a powerful distraction, turning the patient’s attention away from pain and promoting relaxation as well as to help ward off depression, promote movement and ease muscle tension.

The use of music in group therapy has long been advocated and practiced in the music therapy profession, in addition to the purely musical benefits, playing in an ensemble is useful for working on concepts such as cooperation with others, coordination, and a sense of accomplishment. Making music and singing songs together in a group can build a harmonious cooperative spirit of support and encouragement for everyone. Children who experience severe obstacles in forming relationships with other children, adults and their environment can achieve security and joy in making music. Music making involves many of the fundamental elements of social interaction; turn taking, listening and responding to another person can all be augmented in music therapy.

To see, hear and play musical instruments at school or in community programs is an important cultural experience for every child. While music therapy is an important discipline, you can also achieve benefits from making music on your own. Successful projects include sensory or music gardens where musical instruments have been installed outdoors, making them accessible at break times as well as for use with the curriculum. Playgrounds and outdoor spaces should be viewed as therapeutic settings and an outdoor music centre or garden could enhance learning and development for both children with and without special needs.

Kris Cullum represents Outdoor Musical Instrument suppliers Freenotes, instruments that create enchanting music that anyone can play and are also proven to contribute to Music Therapy.

Call us at 773.779.7059 or read more about our special needs music classes.

Originally posted 2009-09-05 14:45:27.

Suzanne O'Shea teaches Children with Special Needs

Saturday Mornings at 11:00am

There is no charge for the class. Donations are graciously accepted.

Please support our programs. Donate today.
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Originally posted 2009-07-22 19:39:36.

GUITAR , PIANO, and ALL FRETTED INSTRUMENTS

Ed McGrath, a graduate of St. Ignatius High and DePaul University School of Music. Ed specializes in Classical and Jazz and teaches all fretted instruments. He has taught for the City Colleges of Chicago, IIT, Loyola, and World Music Company since its inception.

As a performer, he has played with Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, Richard Pick, John McGreedey, and lots of jobbing bands around this country.

He takes beginning students because “they haven’t learned anything wrong yet.”

Originally posted 2009-07-22 18:49:02.

Originally posted 2009-07-01 21:25:56.

$90 for 8 Consecutive Weeks. Start your 8-week session whenever you want!

This class is led by Professor Becker, a long time musician and primary level school teacher. Professor Becker leads the kids in playing various rhythm instruments such as maracas, tambourines, egg shakers, long drums, djembes (from Africa), triangles, chimes, and more. The growing musicians also sing, clap, stamp, dance march, make up song verses, and “jam” while Professor Becker plays his guitar.

Originally posted 2009-07-20 18:32:02.

For 21 years, Steve Flowers has taught jazz, band, and music to 5thgraders on up to adults. Along with World Music Company, he currently teaches in the Chicago Public School System. He has a Masters Degree in Woodwinds, Musical Education, and Performance. His love for music carried him through his studies, “As a high school junior, I had to make the choice of taking Spanish or Band,” he said, “I chose band and picked up the flute. I wasn’t really interested at the time, but I started to enjoy it.”

After College and learning woodwinds at a higher technical level, he went on to perform live throughout the Midwest. Steve has had the pleasure of playing with and opening for B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Regina Bell, Take 6, Alex Bugnon, Vickie Winans, comedian Bernie Mack, and the late Phyllis Hyman. He’s played the National Anthem for the Indiana Pacers, at the Taste of Chicago and headlined in the Bolingbrook Jazz Fest.

Originally posted 2009-07-17 17:31:06.

TeachingPhilosophy Every voice is a unique instrument! In my studio I provide a relaxed, positive environment where students feel comfortable to sing without inhibitions. This makes progress easy and enjoyable. Lessons are catered to each student’s individual talents and goals. My students sing only what they enjoy and feel passionate about.

Vocal Technique
I am a classically trained vocalist with a degree in Jazz Performance. I’ve performed in rock, funk, R&B, Blues, Country and Folk bands and have found that classical technique can be applied to any genre. I teach with a focus on healthy singing, breath control and vocal strength and flexibility.

The Educated Vocalist
I arm my students with knowledge on how to read music, choose keys and write their own lead sheets. Music theory is not drudgery because it is worked into the vocal exercises and repertoire study. A student can choose to learn as much or as little theory as he/she likes.

Originally posted 2009-07-22 18:57:07.

 Joe Arteaga has studied Percussion Performance at St. Xavier University Jazz Studies and Percussion Studies at Northern Illinois University.

“Joe Arteaga is clearly one of the most phenomenal drummers there is,” his band members say. He can  play any style of music. Joe holds the most crucial thread in all of his bands- ryhthm. He has been a part of many bands such as: The Soup, Blimp, Sugar and the Raw, Leadfoot, Frequency Doctor, Treologic, Foibles, Mike Gallagher Group, Aborigine, Dyed in the Wool, Baba Jaga, Southwest Symphony Orchestra, NIU University Big Band, Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band.

Joe’s incredible talent and years of playing have really helped him in passing down the priceless knowledge and technique to his students.

Aside from being such an amazing musician, Joe is one of our favorites here!

Originally posted 2009-07-17 16:45:08.