The Schools founder, Dr. Rita Simo, first taught classical music to a handful of students in 1976. She began in a converted hair salon with $625 and a donated piano. A Julliard-trained pianist, Dr. Simo wanted to make music education available to anyone, especially those with little access to formal training, as is the case in her native country, the Dominican Republic. Chicagos diverse Uptown neighborhood was chosen for the Schools center of operations because of its high concentration of low-income, minority and immigrant families. In 1995, the Peoples Music School moved from rented premises to its permanent home. The music building is acoustically designed and in the heart of Uptown. In 2001, Dr. Simo stepped into her current position on the Board of Directors. Bob Fiedler assumed leadership in 2005 as the Schools Executive Director. Today, the Schools thirty qualified teachers offer instruction in thirteen instruments, music theory and voice to nearly 450 different students in about 15,000 free individual and group lessons each year. Dr. Simo believes that all aspiring musicians should be taught regardless of their ability to pay. Nor should perceived barriers indirectly discourage participation. With this in mind, the Schools Board managed the 2008-09 economic downturn by temporarily freezing new enrolment in early 2009 rather than impose tuition on a sliding scale or otherwise. New enrolment re-opened for the fall 2009 session.

The Peoples Music School creates a world of harmony, creativity, and passion by fostering the universal language of music through free instruction and performance. Our target beneficiaries are disadvantaged youth with limited access to formal training.

The Peoples Music School offers programming in three areas: 1. Music instruction at the School; 2. Community-centered activities with CPS outreach and 3. YOURS, the El Sistema-modeled youth orchestra and subject of this proposal. *Music Instruction The Schools foundational program is a well-rounded and accessible classical music education. While learners of all ages are welcome, we primarily serve disadvantaged youth between the ages of 5 and 18. Private and group lessons are after-school Monday through Friday and during the summer. The adult program, by contrast, meets only in Saturday group lessons. Music theory is the backbone of instruction with required co-enrolment in one of eleven levels. Instructors schedule a weekly private lesson lasting from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the pupils age. Piano, violin, guitar, percussion and voice are most commonly taught. All instructors hold a music education or performance college degree and include professional musicians. Students gain entry into weekly string, guitar, drum and voice ensembles via teacher recommendation after reaching relative proficiency. Jazz and African rhythm drumming ensembles compliment the classical experience. Performance skills develop through bi-annual jury reviews, rehearsals and concerts. New students enroll on a first come, first served basis. We accept applications until all spaces are full in each age group. Returning students may re-enroll indefinitely if they show progress and adhere to attendance rules. Parents and guardians contribute by volunteering at the School two hours a month. *Community Service The School uses multiple strategies to positively impact the community. Not surprisingly, Uptown residents make up the largest group of instructional students by location. Free concerts at the School and community centers (i.e. senior centers) are open to the public. Moreover, our facilities contribute to the surrounding aesthetic beauty and stability. The summer street festival stages multi-ethnic performances and kids activities on the Schools block of W. Eastwood Ave. It offers constructive use of open space in gang territory where there are no other block parties. Diverse vendors set up their wares and local businesses give in-kind donations for auction. Outreach in seventeen Chicago Public School locations includes performances, lectures and eight-week residencies through our long-standing partnership with the International Music Foundation. *YOURS Orchestra Our exciting new YOURS Orchestra (Youth Orchestra Uptown Rita Simo) is based out of CPSs Hibbard Elementary. Modeled on the Venezuelan pedagogy commonly called El Sistema, its target beneficiaries are low-income and minority students. Details about the YOURS program are in the following proposal. In sum, El Sistema is social action through music. Teaching practices help kids build trust in collective process and feel that excellence is in their own hands.