Merit School of Music serves more than 6,000 Chicagoland students (early childhood--high school) through its community-based approach to high quality music education.  More than 75% of Merit students are low-income and over half of our annual budget is allocated to scholarships and financial aid.

Our national advisory board member, Yo-Yo Ma, has said, "Merit School of Music is one of my favorite places on Earth.  I've seen its work through visiting there, but also through many of their graduates.  What it does is to not let talent escape, because it has the broadest net.  At its most lofty level, to its most basic response to the needs of a community, it is such an incredible organization."