Bringing the joy and appreciation of music to Evanston schools since 1971
Our Mission
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Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA) is a nonprofit arts and education organization dedicated to inspiring students, supporting local musicians, and connecting the community through professional live music programs. These programs bring the joy and appreciation of diverse musical genres to all Evanston elementary and middle school students.
Each school year, EISMA presents two Concerts for Kids series, one in the fall and one in the spring, featuring live performances in 19 Evanston schools. These ensembles share musical insights, personal inspiration, and explore the historical and cultural connections of the music they perform. Students experience the full range of musical styles—strings, brass, voice, and woodwinds—representing the traditions of many eras and cultures.
Throughout their journey from kindergarten to 8th grade, students are introduced to 18 different genres of music, providing a rich and engaging music education that fosters a lifelong love for the arts.
Each school year, EISMA presents two Concerts for Kids series, one in the fall and one in the spring, featuring live performances in 19 Evanston schools. These ensembles share musical insights, personal inspiration, and explore the historical and cultural connections of the music they perform. Students experience the full range of musical styles—strings, brass, voice, and woodwinds—representing the traditions of many eras and cultures.
Throughout their journey from kindergarten to 8th grade, students are introduced to 18 different genres of music, providing a rich and engaging music education that fosters a lifelong love for the arts.
News & Updates
Piraguas y Piropos: Celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage through Music - Fall 2023 & Evanston Public Library
The Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA) recently showcased Piraguas y Piropos, a vibrant Puerto Rican music trio, at the Evanston Public Library. Specializing in Jíbaro, the traditional music of Puerto Rico’s farmers and country folk, Piraguas y Piropos brought to life a rich blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish musical traditions. Their captivating performance featured iconic instruments such as the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar, güiro, and bongos, seamlessly weaving in jazz elements to create an exciting and dynamic musical experience.
As the highlight of our Fall 2023 concert series, Piraguas y Piropos delighted students from Evanston District 65’s elementary and middle schools, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant culture and joyful rhythms of Puerto Rican music. The final performance at the Evanston Public Library invited families, community members, and music lovers to join in a FREE cultural celebration of music and community.
This event was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage that brought the Evanston community together through the transformative power of live music. The musicians' energy and artistry left a lasting impression on everyone, especially the children, who were absolutely thrilled by the performance.
This unforgettable event not only highlighted the rich traditions of Puerto Rican music but also reflected EISMA’s ongoing commitment to music education, cultural exchange, and connecting the community through shared musical experiences. With a dedication to inspiring students and supporting local musicians, EISMA continues to foster a love for diverse musical genres among young audiences in Evanston.
As the highlight of our Fall 2023 concert series, Piraguas y Piropos delighted students from Evanston District 65’s elementary and middle schools, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant culture and joyful rhythms of Puerto Rican music. The final performance at the Evanston Public Library invited families, community members, and music lovers to join in a FREE cultural celebration of music and community.
This event was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage that brought the Evanston community together through the transformative power of live music. The musicians' energy and artistry left a lasting impression on everyone, especially the children, who were absolutely thrilled by the performance.
This unforgettable event not only highlighted the rich traditions of Puerto Rican music but also reflected EISMA’s ongoing commitment to music education, cultural exchange, and connecting the community through shared musical experiences. With a dedication to inspiring students and supporting local musicians, EISMA continues to foster a love for diverse musical genres among young audiences in Evanston.
Pinqy Ring performs free live concert at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center Memorial Day Weekend 2023
Pinqy Ring is a proud Puerto Rican rapper, author, speaker, and educator, born and raised in Chicago. As a Hip Hop Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Embassy, Pinqy travels internationally, leading Hip Hop diplomacy programs that foster cultural exchange through music. A sought-after professional speaker, she conducts workshops and gives talks with youth and universities worldwide, sharing her knowledge of Hip Hop culture, music entrepreneurship, and creative empowerment.
Pinqy’s heart is in her community, teaching Hip Hop and music entrepreneurship in Humboldt Park, the neighborhood where she grew up. She also plays Rosina in The Rosina Project, a Hip Hop adaptation of the opera The Barber of Seville. Known for her impressive lyrical skill, powerful stage presence, and her ability to rap in both Spanish and English, Pinqy captivates diverse audiences with her bilingual performances.
Off stage, Pinqy Ring takes pride in her courage to share her personal journey, inspiring others to find their voice, live authentically, and tell their stories unapologetically. As a rising Latina artist, Pinqy is determined to make her mark on the world, using her platform to uplift and encourage others to embrace their truth and empower their creativity.
This program was made possible by the generous support of Northwestern University.
Pinqy’s heart is in her community, teaching Hip Hop and music entrepreneurship in Humboldt Park, the neighborhood where she grew up. She also plays Rosina in The Rosina Project, a Hip Hop adaptation of the opera The Barber of Seville. Known for her impressive lyrical skill, powerful stage presence, and her ability to rap in both Spanish and English, Pinqy captivates diverse audiences with her bilingual performances.
Off stage, Pinqy Ring takes pride in her courage to share her personal journey, inspiring others to find their voice, live authentically, and tell their stories unapologetically. As a rising Latina artist, Pinqy is determined to make her mark on the world, using her platform to uplift and encourage others to embrace their truth and empower their creativity.
This program was made possible by the generous support of Northwestern University.
EISMA Performances Return to Evanston Elementary
& Middle Schools After a 2.5 Year Hiatus Due to
COVID-19
In the summer of 2022, EISMA was once again the primary sponsor of the Evanston Starlight Concerts in the Parks, as we originally were during the summer of 2021, and we were thrilled and proud to be able to play a part in presenting live music in outdoor spaces to Evanston students and many other residents. Our goal is to continue to sponsor that concert series into future summer seasons.
However, EISMA's mission is still to bring live music performances presenting diverse genres into the Evanston schools, and after a two-and-a-half year forced hiatus of in-school concerts due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to at last be able to return our concert series to schools this year!
At our last concerts in 2019 prior to the closing of schools, we presented the Chicago-based blues singer and harmonica player Omar Coleman in the Omar Coleman Blues Band and contemporary woodwind Ensemble Dal Niente. This year’s performers will be the quintet Gaudete Brass in the fall, and the Wild Rose Collective Irish music group of Marta Cook (harp), Devin Shepherd (fiddle), and Seán Gavin (pipes) in the spring.
Check out the Concerts page to see when performances are scheduled at your school.
As in the past, we thank everyone for their continued support of these concerts, as we seek to enrich the artistic experience of Evanston children with exemplary performances from a great variety of musical cultures and genres. Thanks to gifts from individuals and grants from both private and public entities, we are proud to have been able to hold our fees to PTAs at the same level, with no increase now in nearly a decade.
Thank you for your support and your patience as we all try to keep our community’s best interests and well-being at the forefront and plan for a return of live music! Please enjoy our education guides and performance clips from our recent past performances (and more to come!) for an uplifting musical reminder of positive past experiences!
Ellen Frolichstein
Co-President
[email protected]
Jen Martensen
Co-President
[email protected]
However, EISMA's mission is still to bring live music performances presenting diverse genres into the Evanston schools, and after a two-and-a-half year forced hiatus of in-school concerts due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to at last be able to return our concert series to schools this year!
At our last concerts in 2019 prior to the closing of schools, we presented the Chicago-based blues singer and harmonica player Omar Coleman in the Omar Coleman Blues Band and contemporary woodwind Ensemble Dal Niente. This year’s performers will be the quintet Gaudete Brass in the fall, and the Wild Rose Collective Irish music group of Marta Cook (harp), Devin Shepherd (fiddle), and Seán Gavin (pipes) in the spring.
Check out the Concerts page to see when performances are scheduled at your school.
As in the past, we thank everyone for their continued support of these concerts, as we seek to enrich the artistic experience of Evanston children with exemplary performances from a great variety of musical cultures and genres. Thanks to gifts from individuals and grants from both private and public entities, we are proud to have been able to hold our fees to PTAs at the same level, with no increase now in nearly a decade.
Thank you for your support and your patience as we all try to keep our community’s best interests and well-being at the forefront and plan for a return of live music! Please enjoy our education guides and performance clips from our recent past performances (and more to come!) for an uplifting musical reminder of positive past experiences!
Ellen Frolichstein
Co-President
[email protected]
Jen Martensen
Co-President
[email protected]
EISMA Welcomes New Executive Director Daniel Crane
After leading EISMA through a wonderful and very successful 8-year period, Executive Director Annalee Letchinger has retired from her role as a masterful concert coordinator, unfailingly joyful community liaison, and someone who brightened every room and conversation into which she entered. Everyone on our board, in the schools and PTAs, and among the many performers who had the great fortune to collaborate with Annalee is extremely grateful for her talents and passion.
Filling Annalee's formidable shoes was no easy task. EISMA is extremely proud and excited to introduce our new Executive Director, Daniel Crane.
Daniel began his career as a full time musician, and has over 20 years of experience in the creative industries, performing, teaching and curating. He has spent fifteen years performing with a variety of groups and teaching private drum lessons and group classes in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, and has built legacy programs at the Midwest’s largest tourist destination Navy Pier, won international grants with his company Story7 Inc., and is currently building digital tools and infrastructure for creative entrepreneurs as Program Director for the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship. Daniel loves to design programs that elevate culture and help sustain creative careers, while supporting artistic expression and facilitating the chance for people to connect, learn and get in touch with their own humanity. Born and raised in Evanston, he is passionate about continuing to build culturally rich communities that help push society into equitable and diverse spaces while supporting the creative sector.
We are so fortunate to have Daniel on board, and he has jumped right in to steer the Fall season concerts into place in Evanston Schools.
Ellen Frolichstein
Co-President
[email protected]
Jen Martensen
Co-President
[email protected]
Filling Annalee's formidable shoes was no easy task. EISMA is extremely proud and excited to introduce our new Executive Director, Daniel Crane.
Daniel began his career as a full time musician, and has over 20 years of experience in the creative industries, performing, teaching and curating. He has spent fifteen years performing with a variety of groups and teaching private drum lessons and group classes in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, and has built legacy programs at the Midwest’s largest tourist destination Navy Pier, won international grants with his company Story7 Inc., and is currently building digital tools and infrastructure for creative entrepreneurs as Program Director for the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship. Daniel loves to design programs that elevate culture and help sustain creative careers, while supporting artistic expression and facilitating the chance for people to connect, learn and get in touch with their own humanity. Born and raised in Evanston, he is passionate about continuing to build culturally rich communities that help push society into equitable and diverse spaces while supporting the creative sector.
We are so fortunate to have Daniel on board, and he has jumped right in to steer the Fall season concerts into place in Evanston Schools.
Ellen Frolichstein
Co-President
[email protected]
Jen Martensen
Co-President
[email protected]
Your donation to EISMA is music to your child's ears.
Support EISMA today!
Support EISMA today!