Afterschool Arts Programs

Students in grades 4-8 are eligible to join the band! Our Beginner Band is for students who have never played a band instrument, while our Senior Band is for students who have at least one year of band experience. Instrument options include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and snare drum. Beginner Band meets on Fridays before school, and the Senior Band meets on Thursdays before school. 

The band generally has two concerts per year, along with several other out-of-school opportunities, such as Solo Contest, a Chicago Wolves Hockey Game, and our Honor Band (selected by teacher nomination)

Students in K-3 are eligible to sign up for our group piano lessons. Piano students learn a variety of musical concepts, such as note and rhythm reading, performance etiquette, and various fundamental piano skills. We generally host two piano recitals per year for families in the late winter and early spring. Piano classes are on Tuesdays before school. 

All of our signup information and class schedules can be found at bandfortoday.com 

Drama Club is an afterschool group that meets bi-weekly beginning mid December. Open to all 6th through 8th grade students, Drama club teaches students how to tell a story through character development, vocal development, executing choreography, and working with an ensemble. Students also work on painting sets and technical aspects of the stage (lights, sound, backstage management, costumes, and more).

Signup information for Drama Club will be sent out to all 6th through 8th grade students and guardians in early December. 

Chappell Choir is an afterschool ensemble that meets weekly in Fall and again in Spring. All 5th through 8th grade students are welcome to join and no audition is necessary. In choir students learn the fundamentals of vocal technique and harmony while creating music with their peers! Our Spring session will culminate with the Spring Choir Concert on March 21st at 6:00pm.

Students can sign-up for the Chappell Choir using the OST Sign-Up Form

Rock Band is an engaging and electric afterschool program for Fall and Spring open to 5th-8th graders of any experience level. Students will learn not only how to improve their technical ability on their instrument, but also how to listen to one another and develop together. This ensemble will emphasize spontaneity, active listening, and creativity (we will be writing songs!). Though Rock Band is the name of the program, we will be dabbling in a number of genres. This program aims to provide students with a cathartic creative outlet, collaborative skills, and an unshakeable confidence! Students who play guitar or bass are encouraged to bring their own instruments.

Students can sign-up for Rock Band using the OST Sign-Up Form which will be sent out to parents/guardians in the Fall and again in the Spring

Dancing with class is a 10 week afterschool program in the Spring. Students learn 5 styles of Ballroom dance and are exposed to different genres of music. They learn the location and the history of the country where the dance originated from.  Students learn social-emotional skills through movement.  Students work towards preparing for an end of a year competition at Chicago Cultural Center where they compete as a dance team against other schools. 

Students can sign-up for Ballroom Dance using the OST Sign-Up Form which will be sent out to parents/guardians in the Fall and again in the Spring

Yearbook is an afterschool group of selected students who are responsible for taking some photos, choosing the artwork for the cover, and designing the layout of the yearbook. Students also assist with group picture day.

Students can sign-up for Yearbook using the OST Sign-Up Form which will be sent out to parents/guardians in the Fall and again in the Spring.