Register Now for Summer Classes & Camps!

Click here to register online. To find out more about registration or to find a paper application, click here.

Mid-year registration dates:

MARCH 1
OPEN REGISTRATION begins for:
• Camps
• Early Childhood
• Beginning Level Instrumental Music
• Piano as a Second Instrument

APRIL 15
Registration opens for continuing Instrumental Music and Private Lesson families

MAY 1
Early Bird Registration deadline for 2-week camps (Jazz, Chamber, Band, Strings)

JUNE 18
Summer Camps, Early Childhood, Instrumental Music, and Piano as a 2nd Instrument classes begin for the summer. Please check your class or camp information for exact start dates.

**Continuing Families
Recommendations will be sent out by email this year. Please to be sure your email address is on file with Student Services, or please call (312) 786-9428.

Music Programs

Since our founding in 1979, Merit School of Music has motivated and inspired more than 50,000 young people through high-quality music instruction. Our sequential curriculum, our sense of community and the standard of excellence set forth by our faculty and students are major components of our success. Our commitment to providing broad access to music education is unwavering. Each year Merit provides nearly $2.5 million in support so that motivated students can participate regardless of personal circumstance.

Merit is one of the largest community music schools in the nation with more than 6,000 students taking classes and private lessons each week. We have been locally and nationally recognized for our comprehensive training and for the access provided to a diverse population of students. Our multi-leveled, highly structured curriculum is offered in a college preparatory environment, and our dedicated and talented faculty members hold degrees from the finest conservatories and perform regularly with Chicago's professional ensembles.

On-site Programs at the Joy Faith Knapp
Music Center

At our 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the art Joy Faith Knapp Music Center in Chicago's West Loop, we offer a sequential continuum of instrumental and vocal instruction for students of all ages and all levels of musical ability.

• Early Childhood Classes (newborn to 5 years)
• Instrumental Music Classes (beginner through intermediate)
• Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory (high intermediate)
• Private Lessons (all levels)
• Summer Camps
• In Schools Program

In-Schools Program

Through our Bridges: Partners in Music program, we provide off-site instruction to over 4,000 students at dozens of schools, community centers and other sites. Learn more about our In-Schools Program.