Community School of the Arts

Why Choose CSA

The Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College provides music lessons and classes to over 1,000 students from Chicagoland, including Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago, Lombard, Lisle, Downers Grove, Aurora, the city of Chicago, and beyond. Nearly 600 students attend classes and lessons at Armerding Center for Music and the Arts on the campus of Wheaton College, while an additional 400 students receive weekly, tuition-free music classes from CSA Instructors teaching in our Community Outreach for Developing Artists (CODA) program in West Chicago.

Comprehensive Programming

The Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College (CSA) annually serves over 1,000 students – birth to adult – through a variety of comprehensive music programs. Since its inception, the school has provided a stimulating and nurturing Christian environment for learning and performing.

Accomplished Instructors

Our long-standing and accomplished instructors hold advanced degrees in their respective disciplines and are experienced in working with students of all ages and ability levels. Regular feedback requested from both students and parents expresses appreciation for the genuine dedication, commitment, and expertise demonstrated by our teachers.

Accreditation

Wheaton College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and CSA is a licensed member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Musikgarten, and the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Facilities

At CSA, you will find a college campus environment with first-rate performance venues and teaching studios with Conservatory-quality instruments and equipment. Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, which opened in 2020, is the home of the Community School of the Arts. Campus parking is free for all CSA families and visitors.

Financial Assistance

Thanks to generous donations to our Annual Campaign, need-based scholarships are available for all classes and lesson types. We do not want financial concerns to keep any child from access to music and are so grateful to the generosity of our community for providing these funds year after year.

Performance & Enrichment

CSA music students participate in annual large-scale concerts and festivals. Additionally, all students enrolled in individual lessons take part in at least two studio recitals per year. Numerous enrichment opportunities are available to CSA students, including a chamber music program, workshops with professional clinicians, performances at community events, and summer programs.

A man in a spacesuit stands in front and an orchestra performs behind him

Conservatory Connections

CSA students and their families have close proximity to Wheaton College Conservatory events, including concerts by the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Choirs, as well as the Percussion and Jazz Ensembles. Many college-sponsored events also take place on campus, and discounted or free tickets are often made available especially to CSA families. Additionally, CSA students have regular interaction with Wheaton College Conservatory undergraduate music majors who serve as student teachers, accompanists, and teaching assistants under CSA Instructor mentors.

A boy smiles, holding hands with an older woman

Commitment to Service and Outreach

We prioritize service and outreach for all CSA Instructors, Staff, and students. Serving each other and our community is a vital element of our mission. Instructors are passionate about imparting the value of service, knowing that it develops character in our students and benefits our community at large.

A female teacher sitting with four young children

Community Outreach for Developing Artists (CODA)

Since its inception in 2006, CODA’s mission has been to seek out and give artistic access to underexposed talents in our community who might not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their creative abilities. CODA currently provides no-cost weekly music instruction to over 400 students in DuPage County.

Community School of the Arts