Orquestra de Samba's (formerly Evanston Escola de Samba) first performances were in the Chicago Public Schools through the Music Integration Project of the Music Institute of Chicago in 2002. Since then, the ensemble has reached over 15,000 children in the greater Chicago area through in-school concerts, workshops, clutural arts festivals, and community events.

An article written about the ensemble's in-school concert at Burroughs Elementary in Chicago was published in the multi-cultural children's magazine, Skipping Stones, for their January '05 edition.
Click here to download.

Educational materials integrated into Illinois state learning standards are available for early and late elementary, middle school, and high school. Click here to download. They are designed to provide classroom teachers with pre and post-concert activities for an in-depth cultural enrichment experience.

Funding for ODS programs is available through the IL Arts Council's Artstour Roster. Click here to find out how to apply. For more information about ODS programs, or to scheudle an event, call EES/ODS director, Chris Hasselbring at (847)570-0895. samba@evanstonescola.com

Members of Orquestra de Samba with Wendy Raven, former director of the Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA) 3/31/05