Lafayette and the Merit School of Music partnership:

Ten years ago, the Merit School of Music began an afterschool program at Lafayette Elementary.  Today, that program has grown to be one of the largest string orchestra programs in Chicago.  Four days a week, 85 students, ranging from 3rd to 8th grade, practice from 2:45 to 5:00 p.m.  The students study violin, viola, cello and double bass all school year long.  The program is further enriched by opportunities to continue studying at the Merit School of Music in the West Loop neighborhood on weeknights and weekends. 

While studying at Lafayette, students prepare to perform concerts at Lafayette and at Orchestra Hall downtown.   Advanced students have performed during the annual Looptopia festival, at the Union League Club, DCFS of Illinois and at have been invited to play at the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield.  These experiences are unique to Lafayette and teach our students not only public performance skills, but self confidence and responsibility. 

Our students have gone on to attend numerous selective enrollment high schools in Chicago as well as private school in the Chicago area as well as around the United States.  Lafayette alumni have attended Lane Tech, Lakeview, Northside, Lincoln Park, Whitney Young, Notre Dame H.S., and St. Ignatius as well as Putney Academy in Vermont. 

The music program at Lafayette offers students a unique opportunity to grow as students as well as musicians.  These skills will be developed at Lafayette, but will be useful for a lifetime. 

The Lafayette School Orchestra 2007
		Rigaudon
		The C-Sharp Rock
		Full Moon
		En Mi Viejo San Juan
		Overature from William Tell
		The Water id Wide
		Theme From Symphony No. 1
		Mango Walk
		I Wanna Hold Your Hand

The Lafayette School Orchestra 2004
		Blue School Daze
		Ashokan Farewell
		Frailach
		C Jam Blues
		Rondeau
		The Water is Wide
		The Ash Grove
		Indicatif...Under18
		Bringer of Joy
		Ode to Joy
		Folk Dance
		Symphony Theme
		Yellow Bird
		Allegro
		Study No. 1