For Educators

CPS Teacher Day, April 9th

Join us for the best professional development day ever! Click here for the details.

Discounted classes

All classroom instructors get a 10% discount on classes and lessons! You must register in person and bring your school ID or pay stub for verification.

School Teachers

Whatever subject or grade you teach, we're sure you'll find something to help you bring the joy of music and the arts into your classroom. From classes you can take that that can earn CPDUs to Field Trips that showcase unique facets of the arts for your students, the Old Town School of Folk Music is your resource for arts education.

Field Trips

The Field Trip Concert Series showcases a wide variety of performances by our talented faculty and visiting artists. The Concert Series offers programs for grades Pre-K through 12th grade and is an excellent way to complement your fine arts and academic curriculum. Your students will have an unforgettable educational and entertaining experience in one of Chicago's most celebrated performance spaces.

Classes

Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) are available for school teachers who attend any of our group class, private lesson, and workshop offerings in music, dance, and theater at our Lincoln Square or Lincoln Park locations.

Different Strummer Music Store

Don't have a guitar or instrument for the class you want? Don't fret (pun intended). You can rent an instrument onsite at the Different Strummer, the Old Town School's acclaimed music store.

Need to buy a drum or two for your classroom? The Different Strummer is also a licensed Chicago Public School vendor able to sell, rent, and repair a wide array of instruments and equipment from around the world to schools and teachers at very competitive prices.

Our CPS Vendor # is 28983.

Musician Referral Service

The Referrals Program connects School faculty to schools for assemblies, teacher workshops, and residency projects. Prices vary depending on the size and scope of the program. For more information, contact Jenna Murfin at 773.751.3326.

The Resource Center

Visit our user-friendly Resource Center and its growing collection of audio-visual recordings, books and other materials. Visit the Visit the Resource Center to find music samples and other resources to supplement your lesson plans.