Merit School of Music

Merit School of Music was founded in 1979 to fill the void left by significant budget cuts to music instruction in the Chicago Public Schools. The school is home to world-class musicians and faculty members who provide music education to students across Chicago. Merit’s off-site Bridges: Partners in Music program reaches 4,200 students in 71 schools, 73% of which are public schools. In addition, the school provides reduced cost tuition and low-cost instrument rental and music supplies, so that motivated students can participate in every program regardless of their economic circumstance. More than 95% of Merit students receive some form of financial aid to supplement the cost of their instruction. Today Merit's programs annually reach more than 7,000 students of all ages and abilities at nearly 90 sites throughout Chicago.