Bringing the joy and appreciation of music to Evanston schools since 1971
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Our Mission
Inspiring Students
Supporting Local Musicians
Strenghtening community
Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA) is a nonprofit arts and education organization dedicated to inspiring students, supporting local musicians, and connecting the community through professional live music programs. These programs bring the joy and appreciation of diverse musical genres to all Evanston elementary and middle school students.
Each school year, EISMA presents two Concerts for Kids series, one in the fall and one in the spring, featuring live performances in 19 Evanston schools. These ensembles share musical insights, personal inspiration, and explore the historical and cultural connections of the music they perform. Students experience the full range of musical styles—strings, brass, voice, and woodwinds—representing the traditions of many eras and cultures.
Throughout their journey from kindergarten to 8th grade, students are introduced to 18 different genres of music, providing a rich and engaging music education that fosters a lifelong love for the arts.
Since 1971, the Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA), a dedicated not-for-profit community organization, has been at the forefront of music education in Evanston. EISMA presents professional live music programs that inspire and cultivate a love for music among elementary and middle school students. By bringing the joy and appreciation of diverse musical genres to young audiences, EISMA plays a vital role in enriching the cultural landscape of Evanston and fostering a lifelong passion for the arts.
Each Year We:
Research, plan and raise funds to sponsor 52 in-school concerts annually for 19 Evanston schools, including special education programs and two parochial schools
Contract top Chicago area musicians from a diversity of genres to share their craft, instruments, historical and cultural connections, and their love of music
Partner with school leaders, music educators, parents, and community members to Reach 8000 Evanston students grades K-8 and over 200 staff members twice a year
Collaborate with musicians and music educators to create education materials accompanying each performance
Provide staff and volunteers to facilitate performances in the schools
Inspire students with the opportunity to participate in 18 different professional music programs representative of the diverse musical genres
Empower students and staff with the knowledge and stories of professional musicians
Ensure students across entire Evanston community, regardless of ability or income, share a common experience listening to and learning about live music
Upcoming
Saxophonist and composer Chris Greene was born in Evanston, IL. He spent his formative years in the award-winning Evanston High School Wind and Jazz Ensembles. As part of the 2025 EISMA Spring Season, Chris Greene and his pianist, Damian Espinosa, will engage students in an interactive exploration of jazz. Through live demonstrations, they will showcase the art of improvisation, discuss the rich history and evolution of jazz music, and highlight the distinct sounds and ranges of various saxophones. This dynamic session will offer students a deeper appreciation of jazz as both a musical tradition and a form of spontaneous creative expression.
