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All-City Performing Arts

All-City Performing Arts (ACPA) is one of CPS' oldest art traditions, going into its 61st year for SY 24-25. All students in grades 3rd–12th, in beginning through advanced levels in their art forms, are eligible to join this districtwide music, theater, and dance program.

Students rehearse every Saturday during the fall semester, receiving diverse and engaging instruction from highly-qualified CPS arts educators and local teaching artists in the Chicago Community. Students go on to perform in a December Winter Showcase, held on-site at Jones College Prep. Students then continue into the second semester, preparing for the May Spring Showcase held. This showcase is hosted at a unique location in downtown Chicago.

ACPA Timeline SY 24-25

ACPA Application Deadline - September 2, 2024

ACPA Fall Auditions - September 14, 2024

ACPA Fall Program Begins - September 21, 2024

ACPA Winter Showcase - December 14, 2024

ACPA Spring Program Begins - January 25, 2025

ACPA Spring Showcase - May 10-11, 2025

All-City Performing Arts 2024-2025

Ensemble Information and Application Forms

Applications are being accepted for the All-City Performing Arts Fall 2024 ensembles and the 2024 - 2025 School Year.

NEW STUDENTS for the Fall 2024 Session must apply via the appropriate application form linked below for the ensemble you want to join. If you are a returning student, please email your directors with more information on rejoining.

Applications will close on Monday, September 2, 2024. Students will be notified if they have progressed to the next stage on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Auditions will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024 (if your ensemble requires an audition).

If you have any questions, please contact us at allcityarts@cps.edu.

All Experience Levels Welcome

Choir I (Grades 3 - 5)
Choir II (Grades 6 -12)

Rehearsal Day & Times: Saturdays
Choir II - 9 AM - 10:50 AM
Choir I - 11 AM - 12:50 PM
Experience Level:
All experience levels are welcome to apply

Students in Choir I and II will develop individual vocal skills while strengthening their ability to perform as part of an ensemble. Students will explore their vocal capacity and receive training in music theory and vocal technique that includes developing good tone quality, vowel uniformity, breathing techniques, and blending. Through exercises, rehearsals, and performances, students will receive exposure to and experience in a variety of choral music.

Dance I (Grades 6 - 8)
Dance II (Grades 9 - 12)

Rehearsal Day & Times: Saturdays
Dance I - 11 AM - 12:50 PM
Dance II - 1 PM - 2:50 PM
Experience Level:
All experience levels welcome to apply

The dance ensembles are designed to benefit dancers of various levels ranging from beginning to advanced dance and build upon Classic and Contemporary Jazz and Ballet Technique’s foundation and vocabulary. Time will be divided into one hour of technical training and one hour of breakout sessions that will offer various styles and choreography to strengthen students’ knowledge of dance and performance skills. This year, there will be two levels of dance.

Music and Media Production (Grades 6th-8th)

Rehearsal Day & Time: Saturdays, 11 AM - 12:50 PM Experience Level: No experience is necessary to apply, but a serious drive to create is a must.

Participants in Music & Media Production will engage in student-driven music creation using electronic music tools and studio production techniques to explore song writing, performance, recording, and music publishing. Synthesizers, sampling, audio mixing and digital music applications will be tools used to explore music production and songwriting. We will dive into song forms, rhythm, arranging, collaboration, artistic identity, lyric writing, visual content and other ideas used in the musical creative process. The program will feature two performance presentations including a Winter Showcase in December and a Spring Showcase in May in collaboration with HAUS at Columbia College Chicago.

Music and Media Production (Grades 9th-12th)

Rehearsal Day & Time: Saturdays, 1PM - 2:50PM Experience Level: No experience is necessary to apply, but a serious drive to create is a must.

Participants in Music & Media Production will engage in student-driven music creation using electronic music tools and studio production techniques to explore song writing, performance, recording, and music publishing. Synthesizers, sampling, audio mixing and digital music applications will be tools used to explore music production and songwriting. We will dive into song forms, rhythm, arranging, collaboration, artistic identity, lyric writing, visual content and other ideas used in the musical creative process. The program will feature two performance presentations including a Winter Showcase in December and a Spring Showcase in May in collaboration with HAUS at Columbia College Chicago.

Theatre (Grades 6th-12th)

Rehearsal Day & Time: Saturdays, 9 AM - 10:50 AM Experience Level: All experience levels welcome to apply

The Theatre ensemble includes 6-12 grade theater artists focused on creating original content that resonates with young audiences. Students will create their own original plays to perform in both semesters of the school year.

Beginning Band (Grades 3rd-12th)

Rehearsal Day & Times: Saturdays, 11 AM - 12:50 PM
Experience Level:
No prior musical experience is necessary.

Beginning Band is designed for students who are interested in, but new to band. No prior musical experience is necessary. The instruments offered are Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion. Students can try the different instruments before choosing one to focus on. Instruments will be provided for Beginning Band students to learn on.

Some Experience Necessary

Jazz Band (Grades 6th-12th)

Rehearsal Day & Times: Saturdays, 1 PM - 2:50 PM
Experience Level:
1-2 years of experience necessary to apply

Students in the Jazz Band will rehearse and perform a varied music repertoire in combo and big-band formats by playing, listening, and improvising in various jazz styles. Instruments include trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass, piano, and drums.

Symphonic Band I and II (Grades 4th-12th)

Symphonic Band I Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 11 AM - 12:50 PM
Symphonic Band II Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 9 AM - 10:50 AM
Experience Level: 1-2 years of experience necessary to apply

In Symphonic Band, beginning/intermediate wind-instrumental musicians will rehearse various wind band repertoire ranging in difficulty, style, and time. There will be a focus on developing fundamental ensemble skills, including tone, balance, blend, musical expression, phrasing, intonation, and rhythm. Students will work in collaboration with directors and fellow musicians.

High School Modern Band (Grades 9th-12th)

Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 11 AM - 12:50 PM
Experience Level:
1 year of experience necessary to apply

Elementary and High School Modern Band students select rock repertoire and related genres to play as an ensemble. Students play guitars, basses, keyboards, drums, and they sing. High School Modern Band is intended for students interested in learning and further developing the skills necessary to perform in a rock band setting. Our goals as an ensemble are to collaborate, develop skills on our chosen instrument, and find ways to create and share music.

Elementary Modern Band (Grades 5th-8th)

Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 9 AM - 10:50 AM
Experience Level:
1 year of experience necessary to apply

Elementary and High School Modern Band students select rock repertoire and related genres to play as an ensemble. Students play guitars, basses, keyboards, and drums, and sing. High School Modern Band is intended for students interested in learning and further developing the skills necessary to perform in a rock band setting. Our goals as an ensemble are to collaborate, develop skills on our chosen instrument, and find ways to create and share music.

Orchestra (Grades 6th-12th)

Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 1 PM - 2:50 PM
Experience Level:
1 year of experience necessary to apply

Violin, viola, cello, and string bass musicians will come together in the Orchestra to rehearse and perform various music. Orchestra members will be able to perform in a full orchestra, a string orchestra, and a chamber orchestra for advanced players. Ensemble members will show superior leadership by consistent rehearsal attendance and at-home practice.

Percussion (Grades 6th-12th)

Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 1 PM - 2:50 PM
Experience Level:
1 year of experience necessary to apply

Percussion students will rehearse a variety of pieces written for a range of percussion instruments. Students will have a direct focus on their instrument in a setting that allows them to play familiar instrumentation and take a more unconventional approach to percussion instruments.

Mariachi (Grades 5th-12th)

Rehearsal Time: Saturdays, 11 AM - 12:50 PM
Experience Level:
Minimum of 3 months experience to apply

Mariachi ensemble will comprise students who play the violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, guitarrón, harp, and guitarra de golpe; however, other instrumentalists or vocalists will be considered. This performance-driven ensemble will focus on traditional mariachi song styles and techniques and explore how the mariachi culture has evolved through the present day.

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