Music To My Ears (MTME) Scholarship Program - Early Childhood Classes

Funder: Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR), Illinois, US

Geographic Scope: Chicagoland area, Illinois

Focus Areas: Music education for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children

Program Overview

FHSR honors its 60th Anniversary with the creation of the Music To My Ears Scholarship Program (MTME). The organization provides a year of tuition-free music classes for deaf and hard of hearing children through partnerships with leading music schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

Target Population: Children up to four years of age

What This Program Provides

• Tuition-free music enrichment classes for the child and their primary caregiver
• Small-group early childhood music enrichment programs
• Classes feature song, chant, movement exercises, and instrument play
• Development of child's imagination, musical awareness, and expressiveness
• Teaching childhood classics and new songs in both Spanish and English
• Building sensory awareness and gross motor skills
• Interaction with hearing peers to encourage socialization
• Bonding time with primary caregiver

Eligibility Requirements

• Child must be deaf or hard of hearing
• Child must be up to four years of age
• Reside in or near Chicagoland area

Program Benefits

• Experience with movement, rhythm, and percussion instruments
• Classes are accessible for DHH children (single voice, percussive, repetitive with movement-to-song connections)
• All teachers versed on hearing needs of deaf/hard of hearing children
• Placement with hearing peers in age-appropriate classes
• Multiple partner school locations throughout Chicagoland to reduce attendance barriers
• Started in 2019 and continues to expand

Partner Schools (Early Childhood)

• Old Town School of Music - Logan Square and Lincoln Park locations, Chicago (Ages 0-4 Wiggleworms classes)
• Joy Faith Knapp Music Center/Merit School of Music - 38 South Peoria St., Chicago, IL 60607 (Ages 0-5)
• Encore Music Academy - Crystal Lake, Illinois
• Music & Movement - 1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL 60025 (Ages 9 mo - 4 yrs)
• Community School of the Arts - Wheaton College - 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187-5501 (Ages 0-4)
• Tiny Toes Music - Locations in Downers Grove, Hinsdale, La Grange, Burr Ridge, and Clarendon Hills
• Miss Angie's Music - Locations in Frankfort, Homewood, Lagrange Park, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Worth
• School of Rock - Northbrook, Glenview locations

Funding Information

• Cost to Sponsor: $900 donation will sponsor a year of classes for one deaf or hard of hearing child
• This allows children who might not otherwise afford music classes to experience music with hearing peers

Contact & More Information

• Website: fhsr.org
• Organization: Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR)
• Tax ID: 36-6082810 (501(c)(3) tax exempt organization)

How to Apply for MTME Early Childhood Scholarship

Application Method: Online application form

1. Candidate Information

• Full name (First and Last)
• Birthday (Month, Day, Year)
• How you heard about the scholarship program (options: FHSR event, Service provider, Website, Social media)
• If applicable: Name of service provider or name of referring institution/school

2. Parent/Guardian Information

• Full name (First and Last)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Relationship to applicant
• Complete residence address (Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City, State, Zip Code)

3. Information Regarding the Applicant

• Hearing loss level
• Device used (if any)
• Music class location preference
• Schedule preference
• Open-ended prompt: "Please tell us anything else you'd like to share"

Application Process

1. Access the online application form at fhsr.org
2. Complete all required fields marked with asterisks (*)
3. Select preferred music school location
4. Indicate schedule preferences
5. Submit completed application

Note: Application form requires JavaScript to be enabled in browser.

Next Steps After Application

• FHSR will review your application
• Selected families will be notified
• Students will be placed in age and level-appropriate classes with their hearing peers
• Year of tuition-free instruction will be provided at partner school