Bridges: Partners in Music (formerly Project BEGIN) has succeeded in bringing the highest-caliber music instruction to approximately 5,000 students in grades pre-K through 12 since the program began over two decades ago. Bridges’ extensive site list is comprised of more than 84 sites, offering weekly instruction, throughout Metropolitan Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Sites include:

Chicago Public Schools Tuition Paying Programs Parochial Schools

Charter & Private Schools Community Centers Homeless Shelters

*Many of these sites are secured through ongoing partnerships with different organizations.

Curriculum

Bridges’ programs are designed in collaboration between the Principal/Site Director and Merit’s Director of Bridges: Partners in Music to meet the unique needs of each site. The number of students served depends on the class being offered and on the average class length (30-45 minutes). For more detailed information on each of our programs, please click on the 'Courses' link on the right side of this page.

General Music (up to 35 students) Early Childhood (up to 20 students) String Sectionals (8-12 students) – violin, viola, cello, bass String Ensemble/Orchestra (up to 80 students) Band Sectionals (8-12 students) – woodwind, brass, percussion

Band (up to 100 students) Guitar (8-12 students) Piano (8-12 students) Chorus (up to 50 students) Ethnic Drumming (10-15 students) Musical Theater (up to 30 students)

Performance Opportunities

Bridges students are showcased in school concerts and assemblies, as well as exciting community collaborations.

• MeritFest – All students are invited to attend/participate in an annual concert at Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This event is sponsored by Merit and boasts a performance group of over 1,000 instrumentalists.

Benefits to Music Education

Merit’s faculty works to meet Illinois State Guidelines and school improvement goals.

Arts Integration and Awareness Academic Improvement Discipline and Commitment

School Attendance and Achievement Social Skills Development