Chicago Sinfonietta’s educational programming is designed to instill and develop a love of classical music in Chicago-area students from 4th through 12th grade. Through partnerships with more than 12 schools in Chicago and the Western Suburbs, these programs fortify and expand existing music education curricula. Chicago Sinfonietta positions itself as a catalytic “link” in the chain of music education by working with teachers to identify areas of need and invite students to become active participants in the music they love.
Chicago Sinfonietta’s unique position as a seasoned orchestra championing diversity, equity, and inclusion also allows students to interact with and learn from professional musicians whose identities reflect their own. Guided by the principle “if you can see it, you can be it,” and with the knowledge that classical music as a field is overwhelmingly white-dominated and male-led, Chicago Sinfonietta’s educational programs deliberately center students of the global majority and of marginalized genders.
While the specifics of Chicago Sinfonietta’s programming can vary according to each classroom’s unique “gaps” in the educational chain, MakingMUSIC and ENCORE represent the most common ways Chicago Sinfonietta works with schools to support students’ journey.
MakingMUSIC, a three-tiered series of programs designed for 4th through 8th
grade, introduces students to basic classical music concepts and begins to build
composition and performance skills. Through a combination of school visits,
performances, student assessments, and field trips, each of MakingMUSIC’s
season-long programs provides a strong foundation for future music learning
while facilitating music appreciation and curiosity. In addition to classroom
lessons and performances by guest musicians from Chicago Sinfonietta, all
Making MUSIC participants and their families also receive complimentary tickets
to Sinfonietta performances, creating another bridge between the Sinfonietta
orchestra and the communities CS serves.
Whereas MakingMUSIC is geared toward introductory music appreciation and
learning, ENCORE provides mentorship and instruction to high school students
who are interested in continuing their music education at a higher level. Through
a series of workshops and master classes led by Chicago Sinfonietta teacher musicians, ENCORE’s highly individualized small ensemble settings emphasize students’ technical mastery, collaboration skills, and professional growth.
Who we serve
In the classroom
Through experiential exercises, students learn about: the roles of the various sections of the orchestra; the history of classical music and how it relates to art of the same period; how volume and tempo affect the mood of the music; the process involved in composing, conducting, and performing; and other aspects of the musical process.
By bringing music directly into our communities, we are making waves by meeting students where they are at in their musical journey and scafolding myriad learning experiences that will carry through their entire educational journey.
In the audience
Students are then able to apply the critical thinking and listening skills they have learned during performances by Sinfonietta ensembles at their school as well as at field trips to see the orchestra at Symphony Center. In addition, they take part in pre-concert lectures where they are able to interact with Sinfonietta guest artists.