About Us

The Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities. Founded in 1957, the Old Town School of Folk Music provides a wide range of music, dance, theater, and visual arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, the Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 accredited class offerings, private lessons, and workshops that span an array of artistic genres.

The Old Town School experienced tremendous growth since opening its Lincoln Square facility in 1998. With an accessible education model, an array of diverse arts offerings, a dedicated and talented faculty, and an entrepreneurial spirit, the Old Town School has been able to fulfill its mission for tens of thousands more people -- students, concert audiences, school children and working artists.

The School's critically acclaimed concerts showcase some of the finest and most diverse local and touring artists in our intimate and acoustically superb hall. Ticket prices remain among the most affordable in the city and special events such as the Square Roots Festival and World Music Wednesdays make music accessible to all with free and reduced-priced programs.

The Old Town School owns and operates three facilities situated in Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park that include 425-seat and two 150-seat concert halls, 64 classrooms, two music stores, café and a resource center. Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations.

Locations

We have two main locations in Chicago - our Lincoln Square campus at 4544 & 4545 North Lincoln Avenue and 909 West Armitage. But we also offer our Wiggleworms classes at several branch locations.

Teachers, Staff and Board of Directors

Click for the full list of all the folks who make us, us.

Directions to the Old Town School

We have two main locations in Chicago - our Lincoln Square campus at 4544 & 4545 North Lincoln Avenue and 909 West Armitage. But we also offer our Wiggleworms classes at several branch locations.

Click here for directions and maps to the Old Town School.

Contacting the Old Town School

We're here to answer your call at 773.728.6000 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday & Sunday and 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM on Saturday (the box office is also open for calls during concerts). This number goes to our Lincoln Square campus. To reach 909 West Armitage directly, call 773.525.FOLK (3655).

Click for direct phone extensions, email addresses, and our contact form.

School Calendar

Click for the full School calendar.

Accessibility

Our Lincoln Avenue location is accessible to students and concertgoers with disabilities. We have a ramp at our back door, located at 4527 N. Oakley Ave. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility, or if you want to know if we can meet your needs or the needs of another student. Send us a note at: accessibility@oldtownschool.org

Financial Aid

The Old Town School of Folk Music awards financial aid to both children and adults for private lessons and group classes based on financial need. Financial aid applications and renewal forms can be obtained at either of the School's main locations or can be downloaded here.

National Recognition

The Old Town School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). ACCPAS is a division of the Council for Arts Accreditation Agencies (CAAA), the primary accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Gift Certificates from Old Town School

CLASS DATES 2012

  • January 9th - March 4th
  • March 5th - April 29th
  • April 30th - June 24th
  • June 25th - August 19th
  • September 3rd - October 28th
  • October 29th - December 23rd
HOLIDAYS 2012
  • May 28th - Memorial Day - Closed
  • July 4th - Independence Day - Closed
  • September 3rd - Labor Day - Closed
  • November 22nd & 23rd - Thanksgiving - Closed
  • December 24th & 25th - Christmas - Closed

For more class dates, including registration deadlines, check the School calendar.