Buddy Band
Fall 2023 at West Town

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 fall program is being offered completely in-person at ChiME for the first time!

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, 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 at ChiME, 1148 W Chicago Ave.  Per CDC guidelines, masking is optional. CHiME will continue to monitor the latest recommendations for safe music-making.

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 board-certified music therapists. 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 for 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!

how do i sign up?

• Reach out to Alli Dunn, ChiME's Director of Music Therapy Programs, at adunn@chimemusic.org, to ask any questions about whether or not Buddy Band is right for you.

​WHEN DO CLASSES TAKE PLACE?

• Buddy Band Fall will meet once a week on Tuesdays, starting October 7 through December 12. Buddy Band will not meet on October 31.

Buddy Band is funded by the

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Buddy Band Fall 2023
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Tuesdays from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm
October 3 through December 12
(Buddy Band will not meet on Tuesday, October 31)

Open to children ages 4 1/2 to 12 years 
Led by therapists Renee Drew and Grant Hales
Attend in-person at ChiME

$75 per participant
(plus $3.25 registration fee)

ChiME Time Bucket and glockenspiel provided.
​Buddy Band t-shirt provided as well!

REGISTER NOW

The deadline to register is Friday, September 22, 2023.

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Click below to learn about how we can incorporate Buddy Band
​at your school or organization

PARTNER PROGRAMS

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Meet our Buddy Band team

Renee Barnett Drew
Music Therapist

BIO

Grant Hales
Music Therapist

Bio