Alegre Strings is an all-violin performing ensemble with rigorous weekly rehearsal classes. Students are instructed using the Suzuki method. As the students progress in their studies, they continue with traditional classical pieces and also incorporate the forgotten folk songs of Latin America.

Students begin their training in either one of our Bridges: Partners in Music off-site programs or on-site through Dynamic Starts. By audition only, they continue through Merit’s comprehensive curriculum into the Preparatory Program and eventually into the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory.

Parents enrolling their child in the Alegre Strings program are asked to play an active role in and out of the classroom. Parents are required to attend classes for the first three years and must participate in at-home practice with the student.

Performances are a central component of Alegre Strings. Students in the Alegre Strings program have performed for Presidente Fox of Mexico, NBC News, Fox News, WGN News, and have been featured in a number of articles in Chicago Parent, The Chicago Tribune, Exito and Ladies Home Journal.

All Alegre Strings students perform in the Alegre String-Tacular – part of an all-day festival sponsored by Univision. Held in June at Harrison Park, this concert features all 150+ Alegre Strings students from around the city performing 35 pieces in unison from memory. Students are also asked to perform for the Alegre Carnaval – the Alegre Strings’ annual fundraising event.