AMATEUR! – What does that word conjure up for you?
Because it stems from the French aimer meaning "to love", it means to us here at The Shedd "a lover of something". And for as much as we put superb musicians on our concert stages, The Shedd’s Music School is fundamentally designed to create amateurs—lifelong musicians who do it for the fun and love of it.
We are always trying to learn more from the community and very much hope that you will share your experiences and thoughts with us on our
feedback page
at and tell us anything that you think would be helpful, such as:
-- What are your favorite music-related memories?
-- If you took music lessons, do you still play?
-- Why did you stop? And what would get you started again (we don’t believe in the word “quit”!)
-- If you still play what made it work for you? Was there someone or something special that we might be able to emulate?
Your experiences help us create and shape programs and approaches to instruction that capitalize on your good experiences and prevent the bad ones.
Our unique Music Box came out of this research – it’s an affordable, drop-in, weekly class that lets kids try out everything from bagpipes to violins, harmonicas to pianos, from ukulele to trumpet, and more. Then they can try out their favorite with a beginning class or private lessons.
Adults can create your own Music Box! What have you always wanted to try? We have the instruments and the teachers for you – come try cello, accordion, guitar, and even bagpipes!
And please join us on April 14 for our Spring Soiree dinner and music to benefit our steam heat conversion. The special entertainment that evening is by doctors, lawyers, programmers, counselors and teachers – all amateurs who play for the fun of it!