Buddy Band
Summer 2023

Buddy Band is an inclusive, musical group that aims to break down barriers by bringing children with and without disabilities together to make music and to form friendships. The week-to-week summer program is a hybrid format, meaning all weekly meetings can be
attended via Zoom or in-person at ChiME. Please note that the program may be offered completely virtual, dependent upon registered families. The summer camp (July 31-August 1) is all in-person at ChiME. 

During each session, Buddies work not only on learning parts on their instruments, but on relationship-building skills and social skills. Participants are encouraged to learn about each other and support each other through fun, engaging musical activities and diverse repertoire. Each meeting is led by two professionals, at least one of whom is a board-certified music therapist. This co-leadership, combined with consistently small group time, allows for deeper social- and relationship-building skill work, as well as a true sense of community.

Buddy Band members will show off their hard work and relationships through a final performance! No prior experience is needed for participation in this new, exciting ensemble!

Learn more about Buddy Band...

Who is Buddy Band for? 
Buddy Band sessions are a wonderful option for children ages 4.5 - 12, with or without disabilities or musical experience!
Where do classes take place? 
Buddy Band is taking place hybrid, meaning participants can join from home via Zoom or at ChiME.
What Happens in Buddy Band? 
  • Buddy Band is an inclusive, musical program that seeks to encourage relationship-building skills and musical skills for children with and without disabilities, diagnoses, and/or delays.
  • Using fun, age-appropriate repertoire and united instrumentation across participants, individuals will form peer relationships and work toward musical and nonmusical goals. Buddies will be encouraged to learn about each other and support each other through musical activities and small group times. ​
  • This group will be led by two professionals, at least one of whom is a board-certified music therapist. This ensures both musical and nonmusical growth will be targeted, as well as a focus on inclusivity and the unique strengths of all band members.
what REsults should be expected from buddy band? 
  • Buddy Band encourages both musical and nonmusical growth in participants.
  • ChiME’s Band Leaders will develop an individual goal for each participant. This goal might be musical, or reflect nonmusical growth in the following areas:
    • Communication
    • Cognition
    • Behavioral/emotional
    • Fine and gross motor
    • Academic
  • The final result will be a fun performance in which participants will be able to show their family, friends, and community the work of their newly-developed band! 
What do we need to participate? 
  • No prior experience is needed for participation in any session of this fun-focused ensemble!
  • ChiME will be providing each participant with a glockenspiel and a ChiME TiME Instrument Bucket, containing all instruments needed for Buddy Band!
  • Participants joining via Zoom also will need access to a device with camera, microphone, speaker, and internet. 
how do i sign up?
  • Click on the Sign Up button on this page! Or reach out to Alli Dunn, ChiME's Director of Music Therapy Programs, at adunn@chimemusic.org to discuss signing up for Buddy Band today!
​WHEN DO CLASSES TAKE PLACE?
  • Buddy Band Fall will meet once a week on Tuesdays, starting March 7 through May 30. Buddy Band will not meet on April 4.
Buddy Band is funded by the
Buddy Band Summer
Tuesdays from 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
June 20 to August 1 
(Buddy Band will not meet on Tuesday, July 4)
Open to children ages 4 1/2 to 12 years 
Led by therapist Grant Hales
Attend in-person or via Zoom
$75 per participant
(plus $3.25 registration fee)
ChiME Time Bucket and glockenspiel provided.
​Buddy Band t-shirt provided as well!
Buddy Band Camp
July 31 - August 4
2:00-3:30pm
There will be multiple breaks each day
Open to children ages 4 1/2 to 12 years 
Led by therapist Alli Dunn and teaching artist Hannah Bureau
Attend in-person
​$75 per participant
(plus $3.25 registration fee)
ChiME Time Bucket and glockenspiel provided.
​Buddy Band t-shirt provided as well!

Meet our Buddy Band team

Hanner Bureau
​Teaching Artist
Renee Barnett Drew
Music Therapist
Alli Dunn
​Music Therapist
Grant Hales
Music Therapist

Chicago Center for Music Education | 1148 West Chicago Avenue | Chicago, IL 60642 | 312.738.2646   
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