Music Education for Everyone ... Learn to Play Music at MIC!
Whether your goal is learning to play an instrument, finding others who share your love of music, or performing at Carnegie Hall, the Music Institute of Chicago will meet you where you are and help you achieve things you only imagined.
As one of the nation’s largest and finest community music schools, the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) empowers music makers of every age and level by teaching music skills to help them listen, express, and create for a lifetime.
The Music Institute of Chicago is Chicago's Music School
The Music Institute of Chicago is proud to provide the highest-quality music education to thousands of students each year. MIC offers a variety of music programs to help you learn music across a network of conveniently located Chicagoland campuses, from Musikgarten for toddlers and piano lessons for children to adult music lessons and everything in between.
Some students go on to win Grammy awards, some students perform in world-class orchestras, and all MIC adult students and youth students gain a lifelong appreciation for music and an outlet for artistic expression. No matter your skill level, we invite you to become part of a supportive Chicago music community that fosters confidence in students and families and inspires everyone to accomplish big things together, regardless of age or skill level.
Experienced, Dedicated Music Teachers
The breadth and depth of our music faculty is unparalleled. Nearly 200 in number, our music teachers are experienced, dedicated educators and performers who hold degrees from the world’s finest music schools.
Student and Faculty Achievements
Faculty members advise and prepare interested music students for regional, national, and international competitions each year. Please contact your private instructor for more information about local, regional, and national competitions.
What's Happening At MIC
Academic Calendar
Fall 2025
Tuesday, September 2nd
Fall Semester/Private Instruction Begins (17 weeks)
Monday, September 15th
Fall group classes & ensembles begin
All Campuses and Locations
Saturday, November 15th
Musicianship Registration Deadline for 2025- 2026
Tuesday, November 25th
Thanksgiving Recess
Tuesday, November 25 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
Monday, December 22nd
Winter Recess
Monday, December 22, 2025- Sunday, January 4, 2026
Monday, January 5th
Private instruction, group classes and ensembles resume
Fall semester 2025 resumes
Last day of Fall Semester Monday group classes and ensembles
Monday, January 12th
Make-up day for Monday group classes/ensembles, if applicable
Sunday, January 18th
Last day of Fall Semester
Monday, January 19th
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed
No private lessons, classes and ensembles
Tuesday, January 20th
Fall Semester make-up week, if applicable
Tuesday, January 20 through Sunday, January 25, 2026
Spring 2026
Monday, January 26th
Spring Group classes and ensembles begin
Spring Semester Private Instruction begins (17 weeks)
Saturday, March 28th
Spring Recess
Saturday, March 28 - Friday, April 3, 2026
Saturday, April 4th
Private instruction, group classes and ensembles resume
Sunday, May 17th
Last day of Spring group classes and ensembles
Monday, May 25th
Memorial Day Observed
All Campuses and Locations
No private lessons, classes or ensembles
Monday, June 1st
Priority Financial Aid Application Deadline for 2026 - 2027
Last day of Spring Semester
Tuesday, June 2nd
Spring Semester Make-up week (if applicable)
Summer 2026
Tuesday, June 9th
Summer Session Begins
Friday, June 12th
Fall Re-Registration begins
For current MIC students to re-register
Friday, June 19th
Juneteenth Observed
No private lessons, classes or ensembles
Saturday, July 4th
Independence Day (no private lessons, classes or ensembles)
Wednesday, July 15th
Priority Re-registration deadline for school year 2026-2027
Registration fees waived
Monday, July 27th
Last Day of summer Session group classes (Summer 2026)
Sunday, September 6th
Last day of Summer Session private instruction (Summer 2026)