Riot Fest Community Spotlight: Chicago West Community Music Center

Our Community Spotlights feature all the wonderful food, nightlife, and local businesses found within Douglass Park, home to Riot Fest. Join us throughout the year as the Riot Fest staff recommends their favorite spots in the neighborhood on a continuing basis—in hopes that you’ll make a stop in Douglass Park before, during, and well after the fest concludes.

Chicago West Community Music Center Chicago West Community Music Center (CWCMC) is a nonprofit organization that is making a significant impact on the lives of Chicago’s youth. Their mission is to enhance families and communities through music, and they achieve this by providing students with opportunities to learn and experience various instruments, styles, and genres. The founders, managing director Darlene Sandifer and executive director Howard Sandifer, have created a welcoming environment where children can develop their musical abilities while building a sense of community.

One of the challenges facing many schools in the South and West sides of Chicago is a lack of music and art programs due to budget constraints. This is where CWCMC steps in, offering a variety of programs that partner with schools to provide consistent music instruction. Besides their three primary music programs, including Berklee Music Initiative, The Business of Music, and W.I.S.H. – Westside Instructional String and Harp. CWCMC not only helps close the music accessibility gap for minorities and non-minorities, but also provides artistic skill development and academic achievement.

During my recent visit to CWCMC, Darlene gave me a tour of the facility, and it was impressive to see how the instructors work with the children. The instructors are patient and knowledgeable, creating a nurturing environment where students can learn and grow. 

Chicago West Community Music Center is an organization that is making a real difference in the lives of Chicago’s youth. By providing consistent music instruction, fostering a sense of community, and promoting academic achievement, they are helping to close the gap in music accessibility and providing students with valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives.

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Nancy Polanco

Nancy loves connecting with people through music. She believes in inspiring people with the ideology that dance music helps spiritual growth. You can spot her in almost any electronic music event in Chicago.