Outreach Programs ...
Music and Reading Programs for Schools and Community Centers
The Suzuki-Orff School of Music delivers outreach music programs and literacy-through-music to more than 2,500 Chicago children in Chicago Public Schools and community centers. Since 1986, Suzuki-Orff has delivered quality music education directly to school classrooms where, in partnership with the classroom teacher, teaches year-round sequential music programming. We began our outreach with Project IMAGE (Integrating Music/Movement Arts into General Education), an Orff-based music program for grades first through eighth, surpassing traditional performances and short-term residencies.
Our signature literacy-through-music program, Clap, Sing and READ!™ was launched in 1996 for grades kindergarten through second grade. In 2000 we initiated Music LEAPS™ (Learning Explorers At the Public Schools) designed for pre-k students to facilitate cognitive development and kindergarten readiness.
Free Demonstration Classes are available to schools interested in our outreach programs. To schedule a demo class, please contact Courtney Giles (x28) or Troy Anderson (x22) at 312-738-2646.
Music LEAPS™ (a pre-school program)
Music LEAPS™ is designed for pre-k children to build a foundation of kindergarten readiness through experiences that facilitate self-expression and creativity. Through rhythms, song, and movement Music LEAPS draws from creative repetiion and progressive skill-developing activities to facilitate cognitive learning. Children learn the ability to anticipate and master classroom activities. For more information, please contact Courtney Giles at cgiles@suzukiorff.org.
Clap, Sing, and READ!™ (for K-2)
Clap, Sing and READ!™ harnesses the power of music to advance literacy for children in kindergarten through second grade. Initially developed in response to reports of low reading test scores in Chicago Public Schools, Clap, Sing and READ is a proven stimulus for unlocking the potential in each child. Students learn the rhythm of words through music and build vocabulary through creative repetition and employing multiple senses, making the curriculum effective for all children regardless of their learning style. Taught in 6-week units, children learn to read 6 books per year. At the conclusion of each unit, children are presented with a copy of the book to keep and begin building a library of their own. Key to the success of Clap, Sing and READ are the partnerships developed between Suzuki-Orff CSR instructors and classroom teachers. Clap, SIng and READ! provides a supplementary learning tool for public school teachers to use within their own established curricula. Since its inception, thousands of children have learned to read through the power of music.
Clap, Sing, and READ!™ has proven to be especially effective for children with special needs, including autism, and families where English is a learned language. To learn more about Clap, Sing and READ! in the community, please contact Courtney Giles at cgiles@suzukiorff.org.
Project IMAGE™ (for grades 1st through 8th)
Project IMAGE™ provides ongoing arts education and skill acquisition rather than a fleeting taste for the arts. Suzuki-Orff's music specialists provide in-service training for classroom teachers, collaborating for 15 to 20 days throughout the year to effectively integrate our program with the school's academic curricula. Through our support, classroom teachers are empowered to use music as a tool to actively engage students, particularly those who are more responsive to the arts. For more information, please contact our Project IMAGE Program Coordinator Courtney Giles at cgiles@suzukiorff.org
Professional Development for Classroom Teachers
Suzuki-Orff instructors include classroom teachers as an integral resource of our outreach program delivery, helping integrate our programs into their established curricula. Our certified music specialists engage classroom teachers in lesson participation and collaboration every week, helping them acquire new methods and tools. By using music learning, our programs help teachers meet local and state teaching mandates.
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