For more than 40 years, Merit School of Music has been engaging Chicagoland youth through equal access to deep, meaningful, and high-quality music education.
From Merit’s group classes and private lessons with some of Chicago’s finest instructors, to our Early Childhood classes for babies and toddlers, and our tuition-free Conservatory program, students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels have the opportunity to learn and grow through music.
We’re nationally accredited with 125 passionate and highly experienced faculty members. Merit achieves excellence through these expert teachers who create a deep, inspiring, and motivating learning experience for a diverse student body. Merit’s teachers come from top conservatories and universities and go through meticulous background and reference checks.
We’ve created a distinctive music education pathway, which students can join at any stage:
Merit offers programming for:
Band instruments include bassoon, clarinet, euphonium, flute, french horn, oboe, percussion, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and tuba. Strings instruments include bass, cello, viola, and violin. Vocal styles include classical, musical theater, pop, and jazz.
We provide financial support through payment plans, need-based tuition relief, and low-cost instrument rental and music supplies, so that motivated students can participate in our programs regardless of economic circumstances.
Merit students range from newborns through adults, though most of our students fall between the ages of 0 and 18. The skills and experience of students vary, and we welcome beginners through advanced musicians to join the Merit community.
We engage a diverse student body that reflects the city of Chicago. Our students come from every background and every corner of Chicagoland. As we bring together students from 135+ zip codes through music, we are proud to foster a community that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.
View up-to-date statistics on Merit’s student body in our latest annual report.
Music classes give kids and teens a creative outlet, and the opportunity to forge friendships with music-loving peers from across Chicagoland. This is just one of the many benefits of music education!
At Merit, students love being part of a community and making friendships. Watch this video of students sharing what Merit means to them.
Click here to register online. If you have a question or need assistance with registration, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We are here to help!
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