The Irish Music School of Chicago

The Irish Music School of Chicago is a vibrant living musical community dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional Irish music, dance, and cultural arts. The school offers comprehensive instruction in Irish traditional music through kids classes, adult classes, and private lessons, along with special events throughout the year.

The flagship program is the Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week Kids Day Camp, presented at the Irish American Heritage Center. This annual summer day camp runs for one week in July (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and immerses children ages 4-11 in Irish cultural traditions. The camp is named in honor of Captain Francis O’Neill, Chief of Chicago Police from 1901-1905, who was the primary preservationist of traditional Irish music through his prolific annotation of tunes.

Campers enjoy a comprehensive curriculum that includes learning traditional Irish music on their choice of fiddle or tin whistle, playing rhythms on the bodhrán (Irish drum), Irish songs, Lilting (vocal music), Sean-nós Dancing (traditional Irish dance), Body Percussion, Irish Language (Gaeilge), and Celtic Arts and Crafts. The camp provides instruments and all materials needed, with scholarships available for families who need financial assistance.

Beyond the summer camp, the Irish Music School offers year-round programming including regular kids and adult classes, private lessons for various Irish instruments, concert performances featuring traditional Irish musicians, informal music sessions where students and community members gather to play together, and master workshops with renowned Irish musicians visiting from Ireland and around the world.

The school maintains strong partnerships with the Irish American Heritage Center and local Irish cultural organizations. Classes follow established policies and rates, with scholarship opportunities available to ensure access for all interested students. The school also offers a hire musicians service for those seeking traditional Irish music performances for events.

Through its programs, The Irish Music School of Chicago cements the city’s historic position as a stronghold of traditional Irish music in America, creating a welcoming space where students of all ages can connect with Irish heritage, develop musical skills, and become part of a thriving cultural community.