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School Directory
Peterson
Smiling Strings has been operating at Peterson for 16 years! It is one of the "original" schools Ms. Grimes opened up with when the program came into existence. A large, strong program is in place here. In addition to the regular small group lessons that meet twice a week before/after school , there is also an orchestra. This ensemble competes every year at the Chicago Public Schools Elementary Music Festival and usually receives a "Superior" rating. Only 2 blocks away from Northside College Prep HS, it is easy to also participate in the Northside Youth Symphony which Ms. Grimes directs.
Thorp
Smiling Strings celebrated its 10th anniversary last year at Thorp Academy! A strong program is in place. In addition to the regular small group lessons that meet twice a week right after school, there is also an orchestra. This ensemble competes every year at the Chicago Public Schools Elementary Music Festival and usually receives a "Superior" rating. Thorp Smiling Strings students are heavily represented in the Northside Youth Symphony as well which Ms. Grimes directs.
Hitch
Smiling Strings is beginning its 6th year at Hitch and the program is still building. It is small but very successful as several students also participate in the Northside Youth Symphony which Ms. Grimes directs. Building a performing orchestra at Hitch is a top priority during the next two school years. Lessons are held before the start of the school day.
Belding
Smiling Strings is beginning its 5th year at Belding. There are lots of openings for beginners. Building a performing orchestra at Belding is a top priority during the next two school years. Lessons are held twice a week before the start of the school day.
Mount Carmel
Smiling Strings has been operating at Mount Carmel for 16 years! It is one of the "original" schools Ms. Grimes opened up with when the program came into existence. Lessons have always been held during the lunch hour/recess time so as not to disrupt any academic instruction. New this year is a 3-5 year old Pre-K class for those who attend half days! Lessons for this age group are rare in a school setting! Parent/Nanny attendance will be required and the class will be held right at dismissal. We are proud that one of our recent graduates went on to be a music major at Lincoln Park HS! Every year, several of the Smiling Strings Catholic schools get together for a joint orchestra concert. This is always a popular and fun event. Advanced students are also given the opportunity to play in the Archdiocese Honor Orchestra which Ms. Grimes has conducted in the past.
St. Hilary
Smiling Strings has been operating at St. Hilary for 14 years now. This year lessons will be held before and after school rather than during the school day. Several students participate in the Northside Youth Symphony which Ms. Grimes directs. Every year, several of the Smiling Strings Catholic schools get together for a joint orchestra concert. This is always a popular and fun event. Advanced students are also given the opportunity to play in the Archdiocese Honor Orchestra which Ms. Grimes has conducted in the past.
Queen of Angels
Smiling Strings has been at Queen of Angels for 8 years. Lessons are held during the school day at times that are approved by your child's classroom teacher. We have had good representation in the Northside Youth Symphony and every year, several of the Smiling Strings Catholic schools get together for a joint orchestra concert. This is always a popular and fun event. Advanced students are also given the opportunity to play in the Archdiocese Honor Orchestra which Ms. Grimes has conducted in the past. Lessons are held usually once a week during school and once after school so as to minimize disruption to academic instruction.
Northside Catholic Academy
Smiling Strings has been at NCA for 7 years and a very young but strong group of musicians is emerging at this particular school. Last year we were able to form an orchestra and several students have participated in the Northside Youth Symphony (out of Northside College Prep HS) which Ms. Grimes also directs. Advanced students are also given the opportunity to play in the Archdiocese Honor Orchestra which Ms. Grimes has conducted in the past. Lessons are held right after school so as to minimize disruption to academic instruction.
St. Matthias/Transfiguration
Smiling Strings begins its 5th year here. There are lots of openings for beginners as well as the students who used to participate in the former string program which ended at the close of the 2004/05 school year! Building a performing orchestra at St. Matthias/Transfiguration is a top priority during the next two school years. Lessons are held twice a week during the school day.
Solomon School
This is Solomon's 4th year for Smiling Strings. Lessons are provided before and after school. The program is steadily growing and the students here enjoy playing in several assemblies a year for their classmates!
Burley
Burley is entering its 3rd year with Smiling Strings. We hope to boost enrollment now that the word is out about this relatively new program! Lessons are held before school and we have a strong class of returning students. Building an orchestra is a top priority the next couple of years.
St. Benedict
Smiling Strings returned to St. Ben's in 2007 after a couple of years in which another music provider was operating. We are thrilled to be back and had a great sign-up last year and hope for an even better one this year. Lessons are presently held during the school day with some flexibility for before and after school slots being worked on right now. Come and join this fast-growing group of young musicians!
St. Paul of the Cross
We were extremely excited to welcome St. Paul of the Cross to our music family last year! Located just over the city line in Park Ridge, we are happy to have the opportunity to branch out and get to know this new community! Lessons are held before school for most returning students and after school for this year's beginners. We had a huge sign-up last year and anticipate a strong turnout in 2009 as well!
Chicago International Charter School
Congratulations to CICS Irving Park Campus...you are the first charter school to invite Smiling Strings to your campus and we are happy to begin our 2nd year with you. Lessons are held in the afternoons and were very popular last year!
Our Lady of Victory
A huge welcome to one of our new schools this year! We are happy to be part of the Activities Period choices your child can select on Tuesdays & Thursdays. We hope to have a good turnout for our first year! Great music is on the way!
Edison Park
We started in the middle of last school year at Edison Park and now that the word is out we hope to have a good sign-up for 2009! Lessons are held either during the lunchtime recess or right after school.