Uniting Voices Chicago

Through its Prelude program, Uniting Voices introduces children ages 6-8 to foundational vocal training, music literacy, and ensemble participation. Over eight-week sessions, singers develop harmony skills, rhythmic awareness, and expressive confidence — while also building independence, discipline, and cultural understanding through diverse repertoire.

Prelude strengthens the earliest link in Uniting Voices’ 6-18 continuum, ensuring young singers enter the broader program with strong musical foundations and a sense of belonging.

At TFO and Let Music Fill My World, we believe early access to music builds confidence, discipline, and lifelong creative capacity.

In 2025, our investment supported Uniting Voices Chicago’s Prelude program, serving children ages 6-8 across Lincoln Park/DePaul and Hyde Park. Across spring and fall sessions, Prelude reached 94 young singers, providing structured, beginning-level vocal instruction in eight-week cycles.

Through weekly rehearsals, students developed:

• Foundational vocal technique, including head and chest voice awareness
• Early music literacy and rhythmic fluency
• Ensemble skills such as harmony, blending, and singing in rounds
• Greater independence and confidence in rehearsal settings

Conductors reported notable growth in singer independence — with students transitioning from parent-supported rehearsals to fully self-directed participation by session’s end.

Mid-year leadership transition was supported by intentional training to ensure program continuity, strengthening Prelude’s long-term sustainability.

What Success Looks Like

In 2026, Prelude will continue serving early elementary singers while exploring expansion into additional Chicago neighborhoods in response to sustained demand.

Success means:

• More 6-8 year olds entering Uniting Voices’ broader 6-18 pipeline with strong foundational skills
• Increased cultural awareness through diverse musical repertoire
• Greater confidence, discipline, and ensemble belonging at an early age
• Expanded neighborhood access to high-quality music education

By investing at the earliest stage of the pipeline, we are strengthening the long-term continuum of opportunity for Chicago youth — ensuring that access to music begins early and grows with them.