DePaul Community Music Division

Calling all young musicians! Sign up now for the DePaul Community Music Division Youth Orchestra and Chamber Music Program to gain invaluable experience developing your musicality and ensemble playing.

Click this link for more information:

Youth Orchestra | Chamber Music Program | Pre-College | Programs | Community Music | School of Music | DePaul University, Chicago Led by top coaches, including Orchestra director Mina Zikri, the OCMP curriculum improves communication, discipline, note-reading and teamwork. Students develop accountability for their own part and the ensemble as a whole. OCMP@CMD is open to students in middle and high school.

It is time for our annual fundraiser at CMD. Support PERFORMATHON on Saturday, May 3 as over 200 students share their musical talents in a full day of performances at the Community Music Division.
Your donation helps us fund scholarships, enrichment programs, and free music instruction for students in under-resourced CPS schools. Every gift makes a difference. Donate at

Performathon 2025 Help DePaul University raise $30,000 for the project: Performathon 2025. Your gift will make a difference!

Join our wonderful CMD faculty members Victoria Moreira, Naomi Culp, Susan Bengtson-Price, and Hope DeCelle for a free recital this Sunday at Brennan Hall in the Holtschneider Performance Center.
They will be performing an exciting program of string quartets celebrating Latin American culture.

We have some exciting events coming up later this month: Piano New Music Fest and String Chamber Fest!
Every year our piano students get to express their creative, unique selves at Piano New Music Fest, while String Chamber Fest gives our string students an opportunity to perform in ensembles with our extraordinary faculty.
Please enjoy these photos from last year as we get ready

We are glad to revisit these moments from our amazing spring recitals. Our students gave beautiful, heartfelt performances and truly shined!
As we get ready for the fall quarter, we’re excited to welcome new and returning students to our vibrant community. Here’s to another season of beautiful music, nurturing our talents, and supporting each other!

What does a viola or cello sound like, anyway? Are you interested in learning more about these beautiful instruments? Come to our C String Spectacular this Sunday from 2-4 PM to meet some of our amazing teachers for hands-on demonstrations, coloring, and more! All ages welcome.

Calling all young musicians:
Registration is now OPEN for the 2025 DePaul CMD National Concerto Competition for Young Performers! Selected applicants will have the unforgettable experience of performing with a full, professional orchestra.
Students in piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone in 12th grade or younger are invited to audition. Violin, viola, and cello students may also enter the new string duo category.

Click the link in the comments to learn more!

Now that we have celebrated Make Music Chicago, summer is officially here! CMD students performed on Friday June 21st on a wonderful program alongside the Pippins, Tyler Kivel and Woodpiper. To our amazing students, gifted guest performers, and lovely audience, thank you for a beautiful afternoon and evening of music.

One week until Make Music Chicago!
CMD is proud to participate in Make Music Chicago . Every June 21st, Make Music Chicago brings together Chicagoans to celebrate their ability to make music, regardless of age, ability or preferred musical style.
This event will be hosted at the Music North Recital Hall, with performances running from 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM, and the Community Music hour is from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM.

We are proud to showcase two ensembles featuring adult musicians in Gannon Concert Hall this June! Mark your calendars and get ready to be captivated by these wonderful groups.

Happy Pride month from our CMD Community! Let us celebrate the power of love and acceptance.

Photo Credit: Sharon Pruitt / EyeEm - Getty Images

An incredible achievement! To celebrate 36 years of Community Music, we have raised $39,000! The dollars raised will fund access to high quality music education across Chicago through scholarships and community partnerships. Your generosity supports our educational programming. Thank you!