community Outreach for Developing Artists (coda)

Serving the less privileged in our own community

One of the primary ways in which Community School of the Arts (CSA) serves the local community is through our Community Outreach for Developing Artists (CODA) program. Launched in 2006, the mission of the CODA program is to seek out and give access to young African American, Hispanic and artistically underexposed talents in our community who might not otherwise have an opportunity to grow. CODA provides weekly music classes to over 340 pre-school and kindergarten students. We view this outreach as one of the most exciting developments at our school and as an important element of who we are. This program is generously supported by the Tyndale House Foundation, the DuPage Community Foundation, and the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation.

Goals of the CODA program:

1. Provide a window of opportunity for young, underserved students to experience music and become more culturally aware.
2. Assist students with limited-English proficiency through music.
3. Make available high-quality music lessons to students with demonstrated ability
4. Contribute to improved student academic achievement through disciplined musical training.
5. Play a strong role in character building and enhanced emotional well being for at-risk children.
6. Support area school orchestras by offering long-term instrument training for low-income students.

Partners in Outreach

CSA provides weekly music instruction at two sites. The population demographics vary widely, but here is a snapshot of each:

World Relief DuPage

November 2006–present

Demographics:
100% African, Arabic, Asian, Hispanic refugee and immigrant
All students and their parents are English language learners.

Enrollment:

85 students

Weekly classes:
Semi-private recorder lessons (45 min) - select students
Five sections of preschoolers music – 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s
Two sections of Toddlers – 2’s, one section of “Walkers”–1’s

“I believe that a music program in an ESL setting for preschool students is extremely beneficial to the student's development of speaking and social skills. Although our students come to us with a range of language skills, by and large, all of our students seem to enjoy some success in increasing their English-speaking skills and classroom social skills, as a result of the appropriately-graded music instruction taught by your teachers.”
- Nancy Hensley, World Relief DuPage Preschool, Student Enrichment Teacher ESL

West Chicago District 33

September 2008–present

Demographics:
88.5% Hispanic, 2.7% Multi-racial, 8.8% other
68.4% of students low-income
74.1% limited-English proficient

Enrollment:
240 students
30 students in private/semi-private Suzuki violin lessons

Weekly music classes:
Suzuki Private Violin - 2 Grade 2 students
Semi-Private Violin – 20 Pre-K through Grade 2 students
Early Childhood Music – 8 sections Kg (15 each); 6 sections pre-K (20 each)

“The music classes from CODA have become a popular activity for my class. The use of instruments, animal sounds, and different genres of music are an integral part in
teaching auditory discrimination to children. This is a vital part of the literacy and pre-
reading.”
- Carol Grippando, Teacher, District 33, West Chicago

Learn more about CSA programs:

• Check out all of CSA’s programs and classes
• Contact us or call our office at 630.752.5567 to learn more on how you can support this program.