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WELCOME
to
ONE CITY 

We can't wait to welcome One City students and families this fall! Get ready for an amazing experience ahead and check out the details about our registration and programs below.

Registration for Fall 2025 is closed.

We are excited to welcome children to One City Jazz, One City Strings, and One City Percussion. Click the boxes below to learn more about each program.
Registration for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in May 2026.

About Us

One City, a community initiative of VanderCook College of Music, provides free, high-quality music education and instruments to elementary and middle school students across the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. Rooted in the belief that access to music can be life-changing, One City offers programs such as Jazz, Strings, and Drumline that honor the city’s cultural legacy while nurturing young musicians in grades K–8. With a focus on excellence, equity, and family involvement, One City supports the development of musical skill, personal growth, and community connection.

 

As part of VanderCook’s lab school model, One City also serves as a hands-on teaching experience for VanderCook undergraduates, who work directly with One City students under the guidance and mentorship of experienced faculty. This unique setting reinforces VanderCook’s mission to develop skilled music educators who embody strong character, professionalism, and a lifelong commitment to enriching lives through music.

Contact Us!

VanderCook College of Music
3140 South Federal Street
Chicago, IL 60616-3731

312-225-6288

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Changing lives one note at a time. 

One City, a community initiative of VanderCook College of Music, provides free, high-quality music education and instruments to elementary and middle school students across the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. Your donations support our lifelong commitment to enriching lives through music education. 

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