Buddy Band

Buddy Band is an inclusive, musical after-school group that aims to break down barriers by bringing children with and without disabilities together to make music and to form friendships. This session’s program is a hybrid format, meaning most meetings with be virtual, while select dates will be available (but not required) to attend 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 paired into “buddies” who are encouraged to learn about each other and support each other through fun, engaging musical activities and small group times. 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!

All participants will receive a ChiME Time Instrument bucket which includes 2 rhythm sticks, 2 egg shakers, 2 wrist bells, and 1 movement scarf, as well as a Glockenspiel with mallets.

Learn more about Buddy Band...

Who is Buddy Band for?

This Buddy Band session is a wonderful option for children ages 5-8.5, with or without diagnoses!

Where do classes take place?

(5-8 remote and 9-13): This Buddy Band is happening virtually via Zoom, with select dates occurring in-person. Attending in-person is not a requirement and Buddies can still join those dates via Zoom. For those attending in-person dates, they will take place at ChiME, 1148 W Chicago Ave. Mask-wearing, social-distancing, and zero object sharing will take place to ensure health and safety of all involved. ChiME’s staff and faculty are fully vaccinated again the COVID-19 virus.

What Happens in Buddy Band?

Buddy Band is an inclusive, musical after-school 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 created by pairing participants together, and they 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 this new, exciting ensemble!
ChiME will be providing each participant with a glockenspiel and a ChiME TiME Instrument Bucket, containing all instruments needed for Buddy Band!
Participants also need access to a device with camera, microphone, speaker, and internet.

how do i sign up?

Reach out to adunn@chimemusic.org to discuss signing up for Buddy Band today!

WHEN DO CLASSES TAKE PLACE?

This session of Buddy Band will meet once a week on Tuesdays, from 4:30 – 5:15 pm. The session begins Tuesday, February 8th and will end with a final performance on Tuesday, May 3rd. There will be no meeting on Tuesday, April 12th.

Buddy Band is funded by the

Ages 5 to 8 1/2 year
Tuesdays from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm
February 8th through May 3rd (No class on April 12th)
via remote learning
$75 per participant for new families
with Ms. Hannah and Ms. Sonia

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