PROGRAMS | Bandwithchicago

MUSIC. MOVEMENT. COMMUNITY.

Empowering Chicago’s youth through music, dance, and creative expression.

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Applications are now open for 2026 Fall Programs!

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Band

Titan Band

Monday & Wednesday, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Using the modern band approach, Titan Band teaches students how to play, improvise, and perform on their instruments in a collaborative ensemble setting. Participants explore a variety of musical styles, including rock, pop, Latin, rap, R&B, country, jazz, and more, empowering them to start making music from day one. Designed for students in Grades 4–8, Titan Band provides an engaging, fun, and inspiring environment where young musicians of all backgrounds and experience levels can develop their skills, creativity, and confidence through performance.

Dance

Jazz & Hip Hop I

Wednesday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm & Saturday, 9:00am - 10:00pm

This high-energy dance ensemble builds technique, rhythm, and style while improving flexibility, coordination, body awareness, and overall fitness. Dancers learn foundational jazz and hip hop movements, including turns, jumps, kicks, and basic choreography, while exploring fun and age-appropriate dance combinations. Through engaging classes and performance opportunities, students develop confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation in dance. Open to students in Grades 2–4.

Dance

Jazz & Hip Hop II

Monday & Thursday, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Ready to take your dancing to the next level? Jazz & Hip Hop II builds on foundational dance skills while introducing more challenging combinations, dynamic choreography, powerful leaps, sharp turns, and stylized movement progressions. Dancers strengthen their technique, flexibility, coordination, and musicality while exploring rhythm, isolations, performance quality, and stage presence. Through high-energy rehearsals and performances, students build confidence, creativity, and the skills needed to grow as versatile dancers. Open to students in Grades 5–8.

Drumline

Elementary Drumline

Monday & Tuesday, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Step into the energy and tradition of the drumline! Elementary Drumline introduces students to the fundamentals of drumming through a dynamic, performance-based ensemble experience. Participants develop proper stick control, timing, rhythmic accuracy, and ensemble awareness while learning essential rudiments such as single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles, rolls, and flam patterns. Through engaging rehearsals, students build coordination, discipline, and teamwork while performing on a variety of battery percussion instruments, including snare drum, bass drum, tenor drums, and cymbals. This ensemble provides a strong foundation in drumline technique, musicianship, and performance skills for students in Grades 4–8.

Private Instruction

1-on-1 Music Lessons

Lesson Day - TDB

Private 1-on-1 music lessons offer students personalized instruction in guitar, piano/keyboard, bass guitar, drum set, ukulele, or voice. Students receive focused support tailored to their skill level and musical goals, helping them build strong technical skills, musical understanding, and confidence. Lessons are customized to each learner, making it easy for beginners to start and for developing musicians to grow at their own pace. Students interested in brass, woodwind, or orchestral string instruments must provide their own instrument. Through consistent instruction and practice, students strengthen creativity, self-expression, discipline, and overall musicianship in a supportive one-on-one learning environment.

Musical Experience

Bucket Drumming and More

Wednesday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Discover the excitement of making music through rhythm! Bucket Drumming and More introduces students to the fundamentals of percussion using buckets, hand drums, and a variety of percussion instruments from around the world. Participants develop rhythmic accuracy, coordination, listening skills, and creativity while learning drumming patterns, ensemble techniques, and performance skills. Through hands-on activities and collaborative music-making, students explore different percussion traditions and gain confidence expressing themselves through rhythm in a fun and engaging environment. Open to students in Grades 2–4.

Musical Experience

Guitar Ensemble

Wednesday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Learn, play, and perform with fellow guitarists in a fun and supportive ensemble setting! This class is designed for beginning to intermediate students who want to develop their guitar skills while making music with others. Participants will learn essential techniques, chords, strumming patterns, scales, and basic music reading while exploring a variety of musical styles. Through group rehearsals and performance opportunities, students build confidence, musicianship, listening skills, and ensemble awareness as they work together to create and perform music. Open to students in Grades 4–8.

After School Matters

BandWith Chicago Performing Arts Program

Tuesday to Thursday, 4:00pm - 6:30pm

The BandWith Chicago Performing Arts Program offers teens the opportunity to develop their talents in choir, dance, drumline, or stage band. Participants build technical skills, set personal and ensemble goals, and collaborate in a creative, supportive environment. The program culminates in performances that showcase their growth, creativity, and dedication while fostering confidence, leadership, and teamwork.

Band

The Windy City Ramblers Brass Band Workshop

Saturday, 9:00am - 10:00am

Play, learn, and perform in a dynamic, multi-generational brass band experience! Participants build instrumental technique, ensemble skills, and musical confidence while exploring traditional and contemporary brass band repertoire. Musicians will develop tone production, rhythm, improvisation, and group listening skills through engaging rehearsals and performance-based learning. The workshop emphasizes collaboration, musical expression, and the joy of making music together across generations and experience levels. Open to participants ages 12 and up.

Band

The Windy City Ramblers Brass Band Ensemble

Monday, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Play, refine, and perform in a high-level adult brass band ensemble! This group is designed for experienced adult musicians ready to deepen their instrumental technique, strengthen ensemble performance skills, and expand their musical artistry. Participants will engage with traditional and contemporary brass band repertoire while focusing on tone production, rhythmic precision, stylistic interpretation, and improvisation. Through rigorous rehearsals and performance-based experiences, musicians will sharpen their listening, blend, and overall ensemble cohesion. The ensemble emphasizes collaboration, musicianship, and the shared joy of making powerful music together at an advanced level. Open to adult participants.

Choir

BandWith Voices

Saturday, 10:00–11:00am

Sing, learn, and perform in a welcoming, multi-generational choir experience! Participants build vocal skills, explore music from a variety of styles and cultures, and develop confidence through engaging rehearsals and performances. Choir members strengthen their musicianship, learn the value of collaboration, and experience the joy of making music alongside singers of different ages and backgrounds. Open to participants ages 12 and up.

Choir

The Chicago Community Chorus in partnership with BandWith Chicago

Tuesday, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Join Chicago Community Chorus and BandWith Chicago Performing Arts for a welcoming, multi-generational choir where singers of all experience levels can grow, perform, and make music together. Build vocal skills, strengthen your musicianship, explore diverse musical styles, and experience the joy of singing in a supportive community. Open to participants ages 14 and up.

Dance

Line Dance with Keema

Wednesday, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Line Dance with Keema is a welcoming, high-energy adult dance class focused on line dancing, stepping, and other coordinated group movement styles. Participants will learn foundational footwork, rhythm patterns, and synchronized choreography while building confidence, coordination, and musicality. Set to upbeat music, the class emphasizes timing, teamwork, and style as dancers master both classic and contemporary steps. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to move, learn, and have fun in a supportive community setting.

FINAL POSTCARD_BandWith Chicago_Spring 2026 Program Schedule (11 x 8.5 in) (7 x 5 in) (4).

FINAL POSTCARD_BandWith Chicago_Spring 2026 Program Schedule (11 x 8.5 in) (7 x 5 in) (7).

BandWith Chicago Performing Arts

Teens: Ages 14-17

After School Matters Program

BandWith Chicago Performing Arts After School Matters Program offers a dynamic dual experience in the performing arts, giving teens the chance to shine in choir, dance, drumline, or stage band. Whether you're a vocalist, a dancer, a drummer, or an instrumentalist, there's a place for you here! Teens will select and participate in two activities that best fit their talents and interests:

01. Choir or Stage Band

02. Dance or Drumline

Additionally, teens will set and achieve personal and group goals and prepare for exciting end-of-session performances. Ready to grow as an artist and connect with others who share your passion? Join us and be part of something powerful!

AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS

hear it from our students

What BandWith does goes beyond music.

These are the voices of parents, students, and supporters who’ve felt the difference firsthand.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC

"BandWith feels like family. It’s helped me express myself through dance and become

more confident in who I am."

Jaliyah, Choir & Dance

“BandWith’s after school program takes me back to when I was young and we had programs and people who cared about the well-being of the kids. With programs like BandWith, youth throughout Chicago can see their
potential and value.”

Bernetta Smith, BandWith parent

“I can be having the worst day of my life and when I start dancing, I can feel a weight being lifted...

I feel dancing gives me the freedom to be happy."

Mario, Dance Team

"Music used to be just a hobby , now I see it as my future. BandWith gave me purpose and a path."

Kristian, Drums & Piano

“When I dance with BandWith, I feel free.

It’s like all the stress of the day just melts away.”

Angel, Dance

“Performing at Arts in the Dark was unforgettable — the energy, the crowd,

the pride. I’ll never forget it.”

Nylah, Drumline

JOIN BANDWITH CHICAGO

Registration is now open for 2026 Spring youth & adult programs!