Mission Statement
Merit School of Music provides high-quality music education to students in metropolitan Chicago. Its primary goals are to help young people achieve their full musical potential, to remove economic barriers to participation, and to stimulate personal and educational growth through music. Merit’s programs are provided without regard to national origin, race, religious belief, gender or physical handicap.

History
When the Chicago Public Schools eliminated music from the elementary school curriculum in 1979, Alice Pfaelzer and Emma Endres Kountz took action and founded Merit School of Music.

In 1984, Merit created Bridges: Partners in Music, a community outreach effort offering in-school music instruction. In 1990, Merit instituted the Regenstein Windows Program to provide children living in Chicago’s public housing communities with instruments, full scholarships to Merit programs, transportation to and from classes, and mentoring opportunities. In 1995, Merit introduced its Preparatory Program, designed to train Bridges students for entrance into the Tuition-free Conservatory. Merit began its Early Childhood Program in 1999, and in 2000, Merit introduced Dynamic Starts, beginning group instruction for families who lacked access to its Bridges program and could not afford the high cost of private music instruction.

Today, Merit’s programs annually reach over 6,500 students at nearly 70 sites throughout Chicago.

THE MERIT ASSOCIATES

The Merit Associates is a group of young Chicago-area professionals who:

* are committed to supporting Merit School of Music and its mission.
* work together to develop new resources for and to increase public awareness of Merit’s programs and services.
* play an integral role in the Merit community, volunteering their time and energy in support of Merit’s mission.
* strive to develop themselves as model philanthropic leaders and next-generation advocates for the musical arts.