The Suzuki-Orff School of Music

Description

Over two decades after our founding in 1981, The Suzuki-Orff School of Music continues its mission to provide exceptional music education and education through music to all of Chicago's children and families with a strong focus on those who face significant economic and environmental challenges. Suzuki-Orff maintains a strong commitment to filling a void in our education system since launching its inaugural classes in the shadows of the Cabrini-Green Housing Project, teaching fifteen diverse families. Within two years of our founding, Suzuki-Orff developed partnerships with local public schools and the Chicago Public Schools requested our assistance to bring programming directly into their classrooms. Our outreach programs were subsequently developed and include Project IMAGE for grades 1 through 8 and Music LEAPS for pre-k students. Our signature literacy through music outreach program, Clap, Sing and READ! for grades k-2, teaches children to read through the power of music. Each child learns to read 6 books per year and then receives a gift of that book to begin developing their own home library. We reach over 1,500 children through our outreach programs.

Our on-site program at our West Town school begins with our early childhood program BabySTEPS (ages 6-months to 4-1/2 years) and continues with Orff and instrumental instruction including violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar and voice. Suzuki-Orff has the only Suzuki voice program in Illinois, one of only 4 in North America. Our faculty is currently comprised of over 25 trained, professional musicians and educators. We have over 270 students in all disciplines at our West Town school.