100% tuition-free. 100% life-changing.

Celebrating 50 Years of The People's Music School

Join us on Friday, February 27 for Big Night: 50 Years of Daring to Play. We’ll celebrate five decades of bold dreams, proud accomplishments, and growing impact at The People’s Music School.

We're not just teaching music.

We are teaching young minds how to think, how to problem solve, how to collaborate through music. We set high expectations for all students. We deliver a rigorous curriculum that demands musical and behavioral excellence. We root all of this in a strong culture of support.

A one-of-a-kind music school.

The People’s Music School is the largest completely tuition-free music school serving Chicago metropolitan area children, focusing on removing barriers to access for students who otherwise would not have the opportunity of intensive music instruction.

GET INVOLVED

Get updates on our spring registration!

Fill out an interest form for the 2026-2027 school year.

INTEREST FORM

Volunteer with TPMS!

Get to know The People's Music School's community by volunteering at a performance.

GET IN TOUCH

Join our Associate Board!

Join a community of young professionals advocating for accessible music education.

LEARN MORE

Make a donation today!

Support intensive, accessible music education for students across Chicago.

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OUR IMPACT

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RESEARCH-BASED BENEFITS

Studies show that excellence in music transfers to other parts of life.

Students who receive a music education are:

2x more likely to complete college
5x less likely to drop out of school
20% more likely to have gainful employment
45% more likely to vote

PERFORMANCE SPOTLIGHTS

IN THE NEWS

The People’s Music School Opens A South Side Location

The Citizen Newspaper Group

The People’s Music School: The Largest Tuition-Free Music School Serving Chicago Children

WGN Daytime Chicago

Con clases gratuitas, buscan que más niños en Chicago se interesen por la música

Univision Chicago

“From the students, to the teachers, to the staff, everything you all do is so engaging, well planned, and creative... [The People's Music School] is such an inspiring organization to be around.”

Third Coast Percussion

Grammy Award-winning ensemble

FROM OUR BLOG

Four Ideas to Improve Your Practice

How could you be improving the way you practice? Here are 4 tips from our staff to take your practicing routine at

Meet Miro Hernandez, SLAM Program Manager

Get to know Miro Hernandez, Program Manager of our SLAM Program! A dedicated music educator and a talented percussionist, Miro has been

Meet Ivory Stephenson, Greater South Side Program Manager

Get to know Ivory Stephenson, Program Manager of our Greater South Side (GSS) site! A violist by trade, Ivory comes to The

SOME OF OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS