The People's Music School

The People's Music School The People's Music School is Chicago's oldest and largest completely free music school!
⭐ Celebrating 50 Years ⭐ Come see what we are about!

The People's Music School is the only completely tuition-free music school, and we have delivered access to the benefits of music to thousands of children for almost 40 years. Our founder Rita Simo, a Julliard-trained pianist from the Dominican Republic, believes that all children should have access to music education, regardless of their family's socioeconomic status. With just $625, a donated pi

ano and a few students, she started The People's Music School in 1976. From these small beginnings we've grown to serve over 350 students every year through intensive instruction and performance. Our objective is not just to teach music, but to teach our students how to think, how to problem solve, how to collaborate, how to achieve excellence THROUGH music. They grow socially, emotionally and intellectually, and develop a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem and purpose. We believe music is transformative and empowers the lives of youth, families and communities. Our students come from 45 different zip codes in the city, from Rogers Park to Bronzeville to West Lawn.

☀️ Summer memories loading...It's been a fun and musical summer at TPMS, filled with music intensives, spectacular conc...
08/21/2026

☀️ Summer memories loading...

It's been a fun and musical summer at TPMS, filled with music intensives, spectacular concerts, and special performance opportunities. We can't wait to see what the new school year brings! 🎵

📸 More moments from last week's concert at Grant Park Music Festival! Our SLAM Wind Ensemble and our Albany Park Percus...
08/19/2026

📸 More moments from last week's concert at Grant Park Music Festival! Our SLAM Wind Ensemble and our Albany Park Percussion Ensemble performed some TPMS fan favorites: Solamente una Vez, Tico Tico, and Cariñito 🥁 🎷 🎶 Thanks to our families, friends, and community who were able to join us!

08/13/2026

Bravo to our percussion and wind ensembles who performed Grant Park Music Festival yesterday! 🎶 🏙️ These talented students took the stage at Pritzker Pavilion and showcased their hard work and musicianship at one of Chicago's most iconic venues. The performances were made extra special by our alumni José and Emely who performed alongside our wind students ❤️

Enjoy some highlights featuring the SLAM wind ensemble's performance of Solamente una Vez by Agustín Lara, conducted by TPMS Teaching Artist and Ensemble Conductor Allison Rye.

08/11/2026

Ever wonder how our students choose what instrument they want to play, out of the 21 instruments we offer? 🎷🎸🎻🎹🎤

Instrument "petting-zoos" allow incoming students to test out different instruments with guidance from staff, teaching artists, and older students. Many different factors are taken into account to see if strings, winds, or percussion fit best. But most importantly, it's about what resonates most with our newest music students 🎵

👉 Which instrument would YOU choose?

Happy Birthday, Rita! 🎶 🎁 On this day, we honor the memory and legacy of our late founder, Dr. Rita Simó. In 1976, Rita...
08/05/2026

Happy Birthday, Rita! 🎶 🎁 On this day, we honor the memory and legacy of our late founder, Dr. Rita Simó. In 1976, Rita founded The People's Music School, driven by a vision to share the gift of free music education—one she herself received growing up in the Dominican Republic—with the young people of Chicago. As a musician, educator, and tireless advocate for access, her impact continues to be felt throughout our city and far beyond it.

Share this post to celebrate our founder's birthday, and leave a comment with your memory of Rita! 🎼

Our students and families recently enjoyed concerts at Ravinia Festival! The programs featured captivating performances ...
08/05/2026

Our students and families recently enjoyed concerts at Ravinia Festival! The programs featured captivating performances by María Dueñas · violinist Emanuel Ax, and Marin Alsop with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra 🎶 Thank you to Ravinia Reach Teach Play for providing our students & families with this opportunity! 🎼 🎻

📸 The Reznikova Family, The Misurac Family, and the Rauch Family

08/01/2026

Our SLAM Wind Ensemble gave a brilliant performance of a West Side Story medley back in June for Performapaloozathon! 🌇 🎶

👉 Share this post to cheer on our talented students!

💡 Did you know? You can give your old instrument a new home at The People's Music School! Learn more about the kind of i...
07/29/2026

💡 Did you know? You can give your old instrument a new home at The People's Music School! Learn more about the kind of instruments we accept and donation guidelines. ❤️ 🎻 🎺

👉 Share this post to help provide more instruments for our students!

07/25/2026

"Cariñito" brought to you by the Albany Park Percussion Ensemble! 🥁 🪇 The group performed the Peruvian cumbia song made popular by Los Hijos del Sol at the Albany Park Performapaloozathon concert at .

Bravo to Angely M., Shimshone H., Dylan Q., Luis M., Noah R., Saul V., Malachi P., and Santiago M. for the outstanding performance!

➡️ Share this video to cheer on our percussion ensemble! 👏

🤔 What exactly goes into learning music at The People's Music School?Our curriculum is built around four instructional ...
07/24/2026

🤔 What exactly goes into learning music at The People's Music School?

Our curriculum is built around four instructional pillars: lessons, music theory, ensembles, and performance. Every week, students receive an average of four hours of high-quality music instruction led by professional teaching artists. Through music, they develop a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience and purpose.

That's the power of music education. 🎼 ❤️

➡️ See how you can sign your child up for 100% tuition-free music education at peoplesmusicschool.org!

Address

931 W Eastwood Avenue
Chicago, IL
60640

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 8pm
Tuesday 12pm - 8pm
Wednesday 12pm - 8pm
Thursday 12pm - 8pm
Friday 12pm - 8pm

Telephone

+17737847032

Website

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