Historic Achievement Night Took Place...

5/13/2016 - Funston Elementary School hosted the Chicago Cuatro Orchestra Project as they celebrated their annual "Achievement Night."  This event showcases and acknowledges the progress of students from CCOP’s multi-tiered music instruction program. Students are awarded certificates for the completion of their instructional program and  perform several musical pieces for the family, friends and neighbors who are present. 
 
CCOP is very proud to see its music program growing and thriving in our community as it continues to have a positive impact on our students. What makes CCOP even more special is the fact that students come from diverse backgrounds, including varying ethnic groups such as Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Hondurans, and several others. Our student body consist of children, teenagers and adults, ranging anywhere between 7 - 70 years old. These factors demonstrate how CCOP is bringing our community together and together we hope to keep flourishing.
 
On behalf of The Chicago Cuatro Orchestra Project, “Thank you” to all the parents, teachers, Russell Lowell Principal and staff members, Frederick Funston Principal and staff members and all volunteers who helped us make this night a memorable one.

Introducing Frederick Funston Elementary School and their Music Program

May 9, 2016 - As the Chicago Cuatro Orchestra continues to celebrate it's 20 year anniversary, we want to introduce you to a gem of a school found on the Northwest Side of Chicago, in the heart of the Logan Square area, Frederick Funston Elementary School. What makes this school stand out from the rest is that one of their thriving curriculum is their music program. Students at Funston receive enrichment classes which includes a cultural music class featuring Puerto Rico's national instrument, The Cuatro.

This music class is part of the Multi-tiered music educational programs provided by Chicago's very own, The Chicago Cuatro Orchestra.
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Principal Julie Hallums

Funston Music Teacher

        The Funston music class is headed by long time music teacher, and co-founder of the Chicago Cuatro Orchestra, Orlando Rivera. The Funston music class is very diverse as the students ethnic backgrounds range from Puerto Rico, Honduras, African-American, Colombia and Venezuela. The Cuatro music program is geared toward transforming the lives of students and positively impacts our community through music.

​The Chicago Cuatro Orchestra is a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit community music program serving directly the city of Chicago. The Chicago Cuatro Orchestra was founded in 1996 with the purpose of creating a cultural program to preserve Puerto Rico’s national instrument, the Cuatro, and to begin the tradition of a Cuatro festival in Chicago.
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Funston Music Teacher, Orlando Rivera
A Rising Young Star...
This is José Angulo, one of the bright students who enrolled into Orlando Rivera's Cuatro Class in Funston Elementary's program this year.
Jose said "Truly the Cuatro transformed my life. It gives me the challenge I was looking for. It does gives me the opportunity to help and motivate other kids in my school and definitely is making my life happier"

​Truly our Cuatro is a blessing from heaven.

A Brief Testimony

Funston Achievement Night Recital

Did You Know a Funston School Teacher was in the News

Funston's 'Parents Meet & Greet Day'

On Friday, April 29 of 2016, Funston Elementary's music program held a very special 'Parents Meet & Greet' event. On hand were board members of the Chicago Cuatro Orchestra. 
The purpose of the event was to express our gratitude towards the parents for allowing their children to participate in the music program and to encourage them to continue to inspire their children in hopes that they can stay involved in the Cuatro Music program for many years to come.
We wanted for parents and students to be made aware of the fact that the Cuatro music program will always be available beyond elementary school. Their children can still take Cuatro classes during their high school and college years.  Our main goal is for each and any individual to grow in our system in hopes of someday, they too can become great music teachers and community leaders.