About Our Director
OUR MISSION
We believe all children are naturally musical and have the potential to sing in tune, move rhythmically and appreciate the beauty of music.
Our goals for the CHILD are
- to experience music making modeled by those he or she loves most.
- to grow in the music skills of singing, moving, listening, playing and creating.
- to be exposed to fundamental music concepts such as pitch, rhythm, timbre, expression and form.
- to arouse natural musical curiosity so that music becomes a continuing and significant part of his or her life.
Our goals for the CAREGIVER are
- to increase ideas for ways to spend quality time with your child.
- to acquire a repertoire of songs, dances, fingerplays, books and listening ideas.
- to gain confidence in simple music making skills.
About Us
OUR HISTORY
Initially supported by a grant from the Ralla Klepak Foundation through Illinois Wesleyan University, Music Explorers classes were first introduced to the Schaumburg, Illinois community in June 2022. Although the intention was to offer these classes for two summers only, families enthusiastically requested we continue through the school year. Partnering with the Schaumburg Township District Library, we have since been offering three sessions each year. When our funding ended, because we so strongly believe in our goals, we have volunteered our time to continue offering classes while pursuing our nonprofit status. We hope to increase our reach by training additional teachers and offering Music Explorers classes at additional locations in the future.
Make Joyful Sound
Life Begins with Music
Want to know more?
Interesting Information
Make Joyful Sound is an Illinois 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2025 to provide
free formal and informal music education experiences for families in order to enable young children to become tune-ful, beat-ful and art-ful and in doing so, enhance their quality of life.
Judy Meyer Hays has been working with music and children in various capacities for 40+ years! She has presented on a variety of topics at state music conferences in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin as well as at the MENC (now NAfME) National Conference. Ms. Hays is a National Board Certified Teacher and actively involved in the Illinois Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance Project. She retired from Schaumburg School District 54 in 2017 where she taught K-6 general and vocal music for 25 years and is founder of the Palatine Children’s Chorus. She has taught elementary music methods classes at Carthage College and Illinois Wesleyan University. When not playing with her eight grandchildren, Judy volunteers as a docent for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as writing curriculum for the Negaunee Music Institute, plans and leads Music Explorers, volunteer teaches general music at a local Montessori school and substitutes at weekend worship services. Judy passionately believes in the power of music to make the world a better place!
Make Joyful Sound 2017
contact Judy@makejoyfulsound.org