Education

About Sound Tracks & Sound Tracks Plus

Piloted in 2007, Sound Tracks and Sound Tracks Plus are in-school music education programs that serve students at the Chicago Public Schools with little or no music education.

Sound Tracks is designed to introduce 4th and 5th graders to global cultures through world and new music, geography, arts and architecture. Each school receives six workshops comprised of lectures, video presentations, and live performances. Not just a music appreciation program, it provides ideas and tools for the teachers to enhance their schools’ existing social studies programs. The program is evaluated each year by reviewing pre- and post-program quizzes, written essays by the students, comprehensive rubrics provided by the teaching artists, and guidance from our Sound Tracks Advisory Board.

Sound Tracks Plus is an advanced, 100% participatory program for 5th and 6th graders who learn to make music using drums, keyboard, percussion, traditional dance, and song. At the end of their five workshops, the students are required to demonstrate their skills through a final performance with Fulcrum Point musicians.

Quick Facts

Students served: 700

CPS Schools with residencies: 8

Sessions offered: 48 50-minute sessions

CPS teachers involved: 17

Fulcrum Point musician educators: 19

Sound Tracks Advisory Board

• Kate Neisser, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Erikson Institute
• Jane Grant, Educator, Bell Elementary
• Nadine Zelle, Educator, Waters Elementary
• Tazama Sun, Educator, Woodlawn Elementary

The mission of the Sound Tracks Advisory Board is to provide guidance for shaping the development of Fulcrum Point’s music education program through input on curriculum, teaching artists, organizational sustainability, and community support.

For more information about Sound Tracks, please contact Fulcrum Point’s Executive Director at info@fulcrumpoint.org.

Supporting Sound Tracks

Listen to WFMT critic-at-large Andrew Patner share his enthusiasm and admiration for Fulcrum Point after the Fiesta Latina Concert benefiting Sound Tracks!:

Support our fundraising efforts and help Sound Tracks grow! We thank JNL Design and Jason Pickelman for the generous donation of creating the logo for “Sound Tracks” and our awesome t-shirts.

Please purchase a t-shirt directly from our website below.

Sound Tracks shirts!

The net proceeds from these t-shirts sales will benefit the growth of Fulcrum Point’s outreach efforts. All sales are final.