Music To My Ears (MTME) Scholarship Program - Instrument Lessons

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

Geographic Scope: Chicagoland area, Illinois

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

Program Overview

As a continuation of the Music To My Ears (MTME) scholarship program, FHSR provides a year of tuition-free instrument lessons for deaf and hard of hearing children ages four and above. This program helps deliver high-quality music education programming through partnerships with leading music schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

Target Population: Children ages four and above (up to 13 years of age)

What This Program Provides

• Tuition-free instrument lessons for one full year
• Access to a wide range of instruments:
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Drums/Percussion instruments
  • String instruments
  • Band instruments
  • Musical theatre programs
• Individual and group lesson options
• Classes at entry level up to expert level
• Age and level-appropriate instruction
• Key supports along the way to ensure student success
• Opportunity to develop music aptitude and skills

Eligibility Requirements

• Child must be deaf or hard of hearing
• Child must be ages four and above (up to 13 years of age)
• Reside in or near Chicagoland area

Program Benefits

• Self-discipline and perseverance development
• Teamwork and empathy enhancement
• Social-emotional learning support
• Skills that serve students throughout their lives
• Placement with age and level-appropriate peers
• Teachers trained to support DHH students
• Multiple partner locations to reduce access barriers

Partner Schools (Instrument Lessons)

• Merit School of Music - 38 South Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607
  • Individual and Group Instrument Lessons (ages 4-14)
  • Instruments: Piano, Guitar, String & Band
• Old Town School of Folk Music - Logan Square and Lincoln Park locations, Chicago
  • Individual & group instrument classes (ages 5-12)
  • Instruments: Piano, drums, guitar, ukulele & fiddle
• Community School of the Arts - Wheaton College - 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187-5501
  • Ages 4-6: Keyboard & strings
  • Additional instrument options available
• Music Makers of Western Springs - 4332 Howard Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558
  • Individual Instrument Classes
  • Instruments: Piano, Strings, Drums, Guitar/Ukulele & Musical Theatre
• School of Rock - Multiple locations (Northbrook and Oak Park, IL)
  • Performance-based music education system
  • Ages 8-16
  • Locations: 3139 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062 and 219 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
  • Includes individual lessons, group rehearsals and live performances
• Prospect Music Therapy - Arlington Heights, IL area
  • Individual Instrument Classes
  • Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice and Percussion
• Encore Music Academy - 87 North Williams Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
  • Music Lessons & Classes
  • Ages birth - 6 years and beyond
• Edge Music Academy - Homer Glen & Naperville
  • Individual Instrument Classes
  • Pedagogically sound music lessons

Funding Information

• Cost to Sponsor: $900 donation will sponsor a year of lessons for one deaf or hard of hearing child
• This allows children who might not otherwise afford music lessons to experience high-quality instruction

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 Instrument Lessons 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)
• Preferred music school location
• 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 from available partner schools
4. Indicate schedule preferences and instrument interests
5. Provide additional information about your child in the open-ended section
6. 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 instrument lessons
• Year of tuition-free instruction will be provided at partner school
• Students receive key supports to ensure success in their musical journey