Music Pathways is CYSO’s comprehensive music education program geared toward Chicago Public Elementary Schools. The program reaches over 2500 students and teachers at 20 schools each year through Professional Development for 1st - 4th grade teachers,educational concerts for CPS students and Music Pathways Private Lesson Program for CYSO students who attend CPS, reside in Chicago and show financial need.






Professional Development for CPS Teachers
CYSO partners with 4 CPS Elementary Schools for 3 years to offer 1^st- 4^th grade teachers professional development workshops.

1st and 2nd Grade Teachers

Tailored for CPS classroom teachers, these workshops offer hands on training and mentoring focused on arts integration.  Led by CYSO Teaching Artists, 1st and 2ng grade CPS classroom teachers learn to integrate music into language arts, math and social studies. Between workshops, teaching artists visit each classroom to give teachers hands on demonstrations of arts integration.  Teachers receive instruments, books and access to several other teaching resources. Each year culminuates in a final presentation where teachers showcase creative integration of arts centered activities.  The community is invited to attend the final presentation.

3rd - 4th Grade Teachers

These workshops are focused on two items including educating teachers about the four families of an orchestra and teaching classroom teachers arts-integrated focusing techniques that can be used for test preparation.  Teachers can then prepare their students for CYSO’s educational concerts. Participants receive several teaching aids including CD’s, posters and books.  Between the workshop and concerts, teaching artists attend each classroom to ensure students are familiar with material and concert etiquette.

Educational Concerts

Throughout the year, CYSO hosts 5 educational concerts at each partner school and one concert at the South Shore Cultural Center.  The following ensembles perform each year:

• CYSO Ambassador String Ensemble
• CYSO Ambassador Woodwind Ensemble
• CYSO Ambassador Percussion Ensemble
• CYSO Ambassador Brass Ensemble
• Professional Music Ensemble –decided at the beginning of school year
• CYSO Concert Orchestra

Partners

Current  (2009-2012):

                Ludwig Van Beethoven Elementary School

                Helge  Haugan Elementary School

                Bret Harte Elementary School         

                John Milton Gregory Elementary School       

Alumni: Alexander Graham Elementary School   

            Jean D Lafayette Elementary School       

Pulaski International Academy Elementary School

John H Kinzie Elementary School    

            George Rogers Clark Elementary School

Francis Scott Key Elementary School   

            Thomas Hoyne Elementary School       

Daniel Webster Elementary School            

Music Pathways Private Lesson Program
CYSO understands that musical development is nurtured through consistent study with a dedicated and qualified musician.  Unfortunately, many families cannot make the financial sacrifice for their children to study privately.  By eliminating this burden CYSO has been able to offer subsidized private lessons to over 20 families who meet the following requirements:   

• CYSO Student
• CPS Student
• Chicago Resident
• Exhibit financial need (completion of CYSO financial aid form required)