Partnerships

ChiME loves to partner with local communities in the Chicago area! Our most frequent partners are public and private PreK-12 schools, but we are happy to deliver programming anywhere that music is needed, including community centers, social clubs, park districts, day care facilities, clinics, transitional health facilities, and others. Programs can be offered during the school hours or after-school. 
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All of our programs are inclusive, and we seek to break down barriers to participation by providing appropriate supports and accommodations to make the music-making experience meaningful and successful for all participants. Each partner can choose between ChiME’s educational or therapeutic focus depending on their specific needs.​

All Partnership Programs Offer:

  • Active music-making
  • Joy and engagement
  • Musical skill development
  • Non-musical and SEL skill development 
  • Both formative and summative assessment strategies
  • Diverse, student-centered repertoire
  • Differentiation and accommodation
  • Strong relationships with students
  • Tailoring to each partner to support school-wide goals and community
  • Performance opportunities based on school interests and needs
Based on your school’s and students’ needs, we will deliver your music program via the Music Education or Music Therapy approach. We will guide you in making that decision during our onboarding discussions. Here are some ways in which the two programs differ: ​

Music Education Model

  • Directed by a certified music educator with Illinois licensure and led by teaching artists with performing experience as vocalists and/or instrumentalists
  • Driven by best practices in the field of music education
  • Measurable musical & non-musical objectives based on a scope and sequence and established rubrics
  • Incorporates school's behavior management systems and expectations (when possible)
  • Supports ensemble development

Music Therapy Model

  • Led by licensed, board-certified music therapists (LPMT, MT-BC)
  • Driven by best practices in the field of music therapy
  • Measurable musical & non-musical objectives chosen by the music therapist based on each group's specific needs
  • Explicitly targets non-musical goals through music: communication, attention, social/emotional skills, sensory regulation, motor skills, and more
  • Therapeutic rapport with participants
  • Neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic strategies
  • Accommodation supports: modified instruments, therapeutic delivery and prompting, etc.
See our programs at a glance!

Want to speak further about partnering with Chime? 

Email us at [email protected] to get the conversation started