This is the first in a series of profiles of Chicago's community music schools
According to Bob Fiedler, Executive Director of the People's Music School, "there are nearly half a million students enrolled in the Chicago Public Schools who don't have access to significant musical training at school. This is our role, to address that need." People's Music School, one of about a dozen community music schools in the Chicago area, approaches this need in an amazing way, by offering free instruction in a community of predominantly low-income immigrants and ethnic minorities.
I had a chance to speak with Fiedler and Vincent Centeno, the school's Director of Music and Programs, last week. According to Centeno, many of school's students are realizing a dream that their parents deferred. Centeno is himself an example, having emigrated from the Philippines to Uptown when he was nine. Although he had studied piano as a child, his family could not afford a piano in the United States.
At that time, People's Music School had not yet been founded; however, after a short stint at a Chicago Park District music program where he was asked to play trumpet, Vincent continued to study piano with an aunt and, later, with a music student from Northwestern University. In college-Centeno studied piano at DePaul University with the late Melody Lord and long-time CSO member Mary Sauer-he began to hear about People's from friends who were hired as faculty. After meeting founder Rita Simo, Vincent was attracted to the school's philosophy (students are required to take one full term of music theory classes before beginning instrumental instruction) and the amazing sense of community. People's Music School offered him a great opportunity to give back.
Centeno's story is beautiful, but NOT unique in such a wonderful place as People's Music School. In exchange for free access to music instruction, students and parents are expected to contribute time doing a variety of administrative tasks. In addition to providing vital logistical support, this involvement gives every child and parent a feeling of ownership and belonging. They commit their time (traveling to and from classes or lessons, practicing, volunteering) and invest their energy in the school because they benefit immensely from the support it offers them and their community. Each student and parent understands that their community is stronger because they work together.
A true People's Music School success story is Victor Marin. As a child, Victor was drawn to the guitar, yet his family could not afford the cost of the instrument or instruction. After learning about Peoples' Music School in his church bulletin, he began a journey that would change his life. He began taking guitar lessons in 1982. After four years at People's Music School, Victor attended Roosevelt University to continue his training. In 1989, Victor was invited by Simo to return to the school to teach guitar.
After 25 years at People's Music School, Victor hopes to inspire in his students a lasting enjoyment of music and encourage the development of discipline. Just as the people were incredibly influential and motivating during his study at People's, Vincent is himself a great role model for the benefits of music education and community involvement.
When asked what means the most, Marin offered the following: "giving back what was given to me makes me very proud."
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I always enjoy asking what people consider are the benefits of music education. Inevitably, I hear something new, colored by each person's own experience and the challenges that he or she faces every day. Of course, Fiedler mentioned the connections between music, creativity and analytical learning. But what I've held onto most is his idea that music offers an opportunity to tap into joy and self-confidence, natural byproducts of an ongoing musical experience.
After study and individual practice, students are encouraged to perform. At People's Music School the annual Performathon offers a chance to show off what the student has learned; it gives friends, family, and peers the opportunity to celebrate the year's accomplishments and share in the joy of hearing live music. The student can't help but feel proud and motivated to continue; the audience can't help but feel inspired to listen again or to participate themselves!
Another related benefit, although much larger scale, was described in a 1999 PBS program titled Seeking Solutions. Citing a 1995 study of Chicago neighborhoods, the program revealed that despite the circumstance of the neighborhood, Uptown had half the crime rate of other city communities. Credit was given to the strengths of the cultural, social service, and neighborhood institutions-including People's Music School.
(More recent statistics, obtained from the 2005 City of Chicago Police Department Murder Analysis, states that the murder rate in the district surrounding People's Music School (23rd District) is the second lowest in the entire city at 2.1 victims per 100,000 residents!)
During a time when there is serious concern about the continued, long-term viability of classical music in our culture, when school music programs are hanging by a thread, the story of People's Music School offers hope to those who lack access to a meaningful, musical experience in their community. 350 students at a time, People's is nurturing the next generation of musicians and audience members. Their stories are beautiful examples of what is possible anywhere.
For those who are conscious of a need to build stronger communities and nurture positive values and skills among the youth in our city (discipline, hard work, respect, self-pride, critical thinking, active listening, poise), an easy way to begin is by playing an instrument! People's Music School is nurturing the development of strong citizens, 350 at a time.
People's offers instruction on 13 instruments and voice, music theory, and opportunities to perform in ensembles or solo. Enrollment is open to anyone over the age of four, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please visit the school website. For a listing of other Chicago-area community music schools, visit here.
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