Buddy Band

​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. This summer’s week-to-week program is a hybrid format, meaning all weekly meetings can be attended via Zoom or in-person at ChiME.
 
Each week, 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, 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? 
​Summer 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 Summer Session 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 breakout-room group times.
  • This group will be led by a music therapist and a teaching artist, ensuring both musical and nonmusical growth, as well as a focus on inclusivity and the unique strengths of all band members. 
what Are the objectives for buddy band? 
  • Buddy Band encourages both musical and nonmusical growth in participants.
  • ChiME’s music therapist and teaching artist 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?
​WHEN DO CLASSES TAKE PLACE?
  • Buddy Band Summer Session will meet once a week on Tuesdays, 4:00 – 4:45 pm, from July 12 through August 16. 
Buddy Band is funded by the
Ages 4 1/2 to 12 years
Tuesdays from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
July 12 to August 16
At ChiME or remote 
​$50 per participant
​with Ms. Alli

Meet our Buddy Band team

Sonia Bourdaghs
​Music Therapist
Hanner Bureau
​Teaching Artist
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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