Clarinet Lessons in Illinois

What clarinet lessons cost across Illinois, and how to find the right teacher.

Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 22 min read

Clarinet lesson prices across Illinois
Meet teachers
How clarinet learning works in Illinois
Auditions and events in Illinois
Starting at any age
Finding the right teacher
Clarinet in Illinois
Area by area
A little clarinet history in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions

Clarinet lesson prices across Illinois

A one-hour clarinet lesson in Illinois typically costs $61 to $97, and a half hour $33 to $53. Most towns sit close to that range. The Chicago area runs highest, up to $102 an hour.

Every town has two guides: a clarinet lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.

Find your town

Town	30 minutes	One hour	Guides
Chicago area
Chicago	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Round Lake Beach	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Aurora	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Naperville	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Joliet	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Elgin	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Waukegan	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Cicero	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Schaumburg	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Evanston	$34–$55	$64–$101	Lessons Costs
Arlington Heights	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Bolingbrook	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
DeKalb	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Palatine	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Skokie	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Des Plaines	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Orland Park	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Oak Lawn	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Berwyn	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Mount Prospect	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Tinley Park	$33–$54	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Wheaton	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Oak Park	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Hoffman Estates	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Downers Grove	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Glenview	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Plainfield	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Elmhurst	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Lombard	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Buffalo Grove	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Romeoville	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Crystal Lake	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Bartlett	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Carol Stream	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Streamwood	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Park Ridge	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Wheeling	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Carpentersville	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Hanover Park	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Oswego	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Addison	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Calumet City	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Northbrook	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Woodridge	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
St. Charles	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Glendale Heights	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Elk Grove Village	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Mundelein	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
North Chicago	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Gurnee	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Highland Park	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Algonquin	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Niles	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Lake in the Hills	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Burbank	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Glen Ellyn	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Lansing	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
McHenry	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
New Lenox	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Huntley	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Wilmette	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Batavia	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Vernon Hills	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Oak Forest	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Chicago Heights	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Lockport	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Woodstock	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
West Chicago	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Morton Grove	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Zion	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Melrose Park	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Homer Glen	$33–$52	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
South Elgin	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Rolling Meadows	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Elmwood Park	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Westmont	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Yorkville	$33–$52	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Lisle	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Maywood	$34–$55	$63–$101	Lessons Costs
Roselle	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Bloomingdale	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Villa Park	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Darien	$33–$54	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Blue Island	$33–$54	$63–$99	Lessons Costs
Montgomery	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Geneva	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Park Forest	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Grayslake	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
South Holland	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Dolton	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Frankfort	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Crest Hill	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Libertyville	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Harvey	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Mokena	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Lake Zurich	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Deerfield	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Evergreen Park	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Lake Forest	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Brookfield	$33–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Homewood	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
North Aurora	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Matteson	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Round Lake	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Bensenville	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Alsip	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Sycamore	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Shorewood	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Bellwood	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Franklin Park	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Palos Hills	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Cary	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Lemont	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Hinsdale	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Bridgeview	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Westchester	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Country Club Hills	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
La Grange	$33–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Prospect Heights	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Norridge	$34–$55	$63–$101	Lessons Costs
Morris	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Antioch	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Warrenville	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Hickory Hills	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Lindenhurst	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Beach Park	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Chicago Ridge	$33–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Wauconda	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Midlothian	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Forest Park	$33–$54	$63–$99	Lessons Costs
Wood Dale	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Channahon	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Hazel Crest	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
La Grange Park	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Western Springs	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Lincolnwood	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Minooka	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Richton Park	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Northlake	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Winnetka	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Justice	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Plano	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Palos Heights	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
River Forest	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Schiller Park	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Markham	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Burr Ridge	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Fox Lake	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Barrington	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Manhattan	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Pingree Grove	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Campton Hills	$32–$51	$60–$92	Lessons Costs
Summit	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Gages Lake	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Worth	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Crestwood	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
River Grove	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Alton area
Alton	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Belleville	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
O'Fallon	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Granite City	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Edwardsville	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Collinsville	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
East St. Louis	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Godfrey	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Cahokia Heights	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Fairview Heights	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Swansea	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Shiloh	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Glen Carbon	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Troy	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Waterloo	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Columbia	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Rockford area
Rockford	$31–$44	$57–$80	Lessons Costs
Belvidere	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Loves Park	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Machesney Park	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Roscoe	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Peoria area
Peoria	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Pekin	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
East Peoria	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Morton	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Washington	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Champaign area
Champaign	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Urbana	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Rantoul	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Bloomington area
Bloomington	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Normal	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Springfield area
Springfield	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Chatham	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Moline area
Moline	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Rock Island	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
East Moline	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Kewanee	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Kankakee area
Kankakee	$32–$46	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Bourbonnais	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Bradley	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Charleston area
Charleston	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Mattoon	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Ottawa area
Ottawa	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Streator	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Marion area
Marion	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Herrin	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Other Illinois towns
Canton	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Carbondale	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Centralia	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Danville	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Decatur	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Dixon	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Effingham	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Freeport	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Galesburg	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Jacksonville	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Lincoln	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Macomb	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Mount Vernon	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Pontiac	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Quincy	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Sterling	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Taylorville	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs

Meet a Clarinet Teacher in Illinois Before You Continue Weekly

The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, experience live online clarinet instruction, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Illinois.

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
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Find Your Next Clarinet Teacher in Illinois

Browse clarinet teachers, compare fit and availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Illinois.

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1 clarinet instructor available in the next 5 days

Canon Cochran

Bachelor’s in ClarinetPatient & ThoroughWarm & EncouragingGreat with All Ages

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 4 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Illinois via Zoom

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$0 ~~$35~~ /30 minute trial

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How clarinet learning works in Illinois

How does clarinet fit school music in Illinois?

Illinois clarinetists usually enter through school band, but the starting grade depends on the district. McLean County Unit District No. 5, Community Unit School District 300, Springfield School District 186, and Batavia Public School District 101 begin band in fifth grade; Cicero School District 99, Quincy Public School District #172, and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 offer it in fourth grade. McHenry Community Consolidated School District 15 begins in sixth grade, while some high schools offer a beginning band for students new to the instrument. Schools differ on instruments, too, so check what your district provides before choosing a clarinet.

When school music starts in Illinois districts

McLean County Unit District No. 5Band5

Springfield School District 186Beginning band5

Community Unit School District 300Band5

Community High School District 99Beginning band9–12

Cicero School District 99Elementary band4

Evanston/Skokie School District 65Band4 and 5

Belleville Township High School District 201Belleville west band9

Quincy Public School District #172Band4

Who runs what for Illinois clarinetists?

Illinois has two distinct school-age routes: the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) runs district festivals and All-State programs, while the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) runs high school solo and ensemble contests. ILMEA's district festivals include band, where clarinetists can audition; selected students can be considered for All-State. IHSA contests are for students representing member schools. The distinction matters because eligibility and nomination depend on the school route, so a family should know which organization fits the student's goal before preparing for an event.

Who runs what in Illinois

Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA)

Runs: Runs district festivals and student All-State programs.
For: Elementary through high school students.

Illinois High School Association (IHSA)

Runs: Runs high school Music Solo & Ensemble contests.
For: High school students representing member schools.

Auditions and events in Illinois

How does a clarinetist reach Illinois's top student honors?

For a school-based route, a clarinetist first auditions for an ILMEA district band, generally in a junior division in grades 6–8 or a senior division in grades 9–12, though district grade divisions differ. A student at a participating school is nominated through its music program and takes part in the ensemble; a homeschool family or co-op can register as a participating school. Selected students attend the entire district festival, after which high school students may be considered for All-State. District festivals take place in November, and All-State groups meet at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria in late January. A separate route is the Illinois State Music Teachers Association's MTNA woodwind competition, which advances from state to video division and then national finals.

The clarinet route in Illinois, step by step

District auditionAudition for an ILMEA district band; dates vary by district, with festivals held in November.
District ensembleStudents selected for a district ensemble attend the entire festival to be considered for All-State.
All-StateSelected high school students meet with All-State groups at the conference in Peoria in late January.
MTNA alternativeThe woodwind competition advances from Illinois state to video division, then national finals.

The Illinois clarinet year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

Illinois State MTNA Performance CompetitionsIllinois State Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece May to Aug

Start the piece May to AugNov 7–8

MTNA East Central Division CompetitionsMusic Teachers National AssociationStart the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan

ILMEA All-State Student ProgramsIllinois Music Education AssociationStart the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan 27–30

IHSA Music Solo & Ensemble ContestIllinois High School AssociationStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar

IESA Music Solo & EnsembleIllinois Elementary School AssociationStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar to Apr

IFMC State Solo and Concerto ContestIllinois Federation of Music ClubsStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

Preparation depends on the event. ILMEA sets audition requirements by division and level, so the student's school music educator is the best guide to the assigned material. For the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) state competition, junior performances have a 15-minute limit and senior performances a 20-minute limit. Solo repertoire needs piano accompaniment unless written for unaccompanied solo instrument, and the student brings their own pianist. For a live state round, bring a legally obtained score for every registered work, with measures numbered at each line's start. A substantial event piece often takes three to six months of weekly lessons to prepare securely.

What else is there to enter?

Illinois offers opportunities beyond the main school honors route. High school students representing IHSA member schools can enter Music Solo & Ensemble contests in March; elementary and middle school students representing eligible schools can enter Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) contests from March into April. Students who earn a superior rating at a local Junior Festival may qualify for the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs State Solo and Concerto Contest in April. These suit players who want a judged solo experience, while ensemble festivals give students a chance to perform as part of a school group.

Clarinet events in Illinois, 2026–27

ILMEA All-State Student Programs

Illinois Music Education Association

When: January 27–30, 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Selected junior high and high school students; ensemble and grade eligibility varies

IFMC State Solo and Concerto Contest

Illinois Federation of Music Clubs

When: April 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Students who qualify by earning a superior rating at a local Junior Festival; advanced repertoire requirements apply

IHSA Music Solo & Ensemble Contest

Illinois High School Association

When: March 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: High school students representing IHSA member schools

IESA Music Solo & Ensemble

Illinois Elementary School Association

When: March–April 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Students representing IESA member schools; elementary and middle school grades

ILMEA District Student Programs and Festivals

Illinois Music Education Association

When: district festivals in November 2026
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Elementary, junior high, and high school students; district offerings and grade divisions vary

MTNA East Central Division Competitions

Music Teachers National Association

When: January 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: State winners in eligible junior, senior, and young artist divisions

Illinois State MTNA Performance Competitions

Illinois State Music Teachers Association

When: Usually early November each year
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Junior, senior, and young artist divisions; exact age or grade cutoffs depend on division

Homeschool and private school students

Homeschool students can enter ILMEA's school-based route through a registered participating school, so they are not limited to private recitals. They can also prepare clarinet repertoire for the state-level MTNA woodwind competition, which moves to a video division round and then national finals for division winners. These routes offer a chance to work toward a judged performance beyond a regular school ensemble.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on clarinet

A child can begin clarinet when they can comfortably manage the instrument and its mouthpiece; school band in Illinois often starts in fourth or fifth grade, though some districts begin later. Starting private lessons beforehand gives your child time to learn a steady breath, a clear tone, and basic reading before ensemble rehearsals move quickly. Lessons also help alongside band, because a teacher can address the individual habits that are harder to work through in a large group. The right pace depends on the child, not a fixed age.

A teen in Illinois

A teen who is new to clarinet can start in a high school beginning band where one is offered, or build skills privately and join an available school ensemble. For students aiming at honors, ILMEA auditions lead first to a district ensemble, and selected high school students who attend the full festival can be considered for All-State. District audition and festival timing differs, so weekly lessons give you a steady place to work around school rehearsals and the audition season without treating every teen's route as identical.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults in Illinois have places to play clarinet with other musicians. In Chicago, DePaul New Horizons Ensembles includes an adult concert band and jazz ensemble, while Kishwaukee Concert Band in DeKalb welcomes adult wind players with high school or college band experience. The Southwest Community Concert Band in Orland Park lets prospective players try a rehearsal without an audition, and Spring Valley Concert Band in Schaumburg welcomes new members without auditions. It is not too late to start or return; a teacher can meet you at your current reading and playing level and help you prepare for ensemble music.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good clarinet teacher do?

A good clarinet teacher listens closely to tone, breath, articulation, and how comfortably you or your child handles the instrument, then sets work that fits the student's age and goals. In Illinois, that might mean building a young player's band foundations or coaching an advanced student toward an audition, but the teaching relationship matters just as much as credentials: a shy beginner and an ambitious teen need different kinds of encouragement. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet. You can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one who fits your learner.

How do live online clarinet lessons work?

A live Zoom lesson lets a clarinet teacher hear tone, breathing, articulation, and rhythm in real time, while the camera shows hand position and posture. Set the device where the teacher can see the clarinet and your face, and keep a music stand and quiet practice space ready. A weekly online meeting avoids a commute and gives you access to a teacher who fits, rather than only whoever is closest. A student in Chicago and a student in Bradley have the same choice of teacher and the same one-on-one lesson, with one teacher getting to know how the student learns.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

A teacher with a degree in clarinetEvery Lesson With You clarinet teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet.

CanonBachelor’s in Clarinet

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The same teacher every weekLive, one-on-one lessons with one teacher who knows your goals.

Practice goals every weekEach lesson ends with what to practice before the next one.

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Clarinet in Illinois

Where to hear clarinet

Illinois has several ways to hear live music beyond the regional examples: Chicago listeners can attend Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts, where most student tickets start at $18 with a valid student ID, or take in the free-admission Chicago Jazz Festival in early September. Student musicians ages 9–19 can also play alongside the house band at Chicago’s monthly Jazz Links Jam Sessions. In Urbana, Saturday events before 5 p.m. at the Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival are free, giving families another setting for hearing music together.

Where to play with others

For a clarinetist, school band is the main route into ensemble playing, and the experience can grow from district festivals to audition-based youth orchestras. Those groups differ in emphasis: school ensembles connect students with peers in their district, while youth orchestras place players by audition and playing level. Adults returning to clarinet have community concert bands to consider, including groups in DeKalb, Orland Park, and Schaumburg; some welcome new players without an audition, while others expect prior band experience. Match the ensemble to your age and current playing level.

Clarinet around Illinois, area by area

Chicago area

Chicago offers both student ensemble playing and family listening options. Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras includes wind players and places auditioning students by playing level, while children ages 6–12 can receive a free UChicago Presents ticket when accompanying an adult who bought a ticket. That mix lets a clarinet student hear how wind parts fit into larger ensembles and enjoy a concert together with family.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 11, 39 lesson weeks (Chicago Public Schools)
Town guides: Chicago, Round Lake Beach, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero

Rockford area

Rockford offers live music for both peer listening and community outings. Most Rockford Jams performances are free, while prime concerts cost $5 per person and children 5 and under are free. Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra concerts are also free and feature student musicians, giving a young clarinetist a chance to hear peers perform in an ensemble setting.

Town guides: Rockford, Belvidere, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe

Peoria area

Peoria has a student ensemble route through Youth Music Illinois, which takes musicians through grade 12 by audition. Students can also attend regular Peoria Symphony Orchestra performances for $15 per ticket. The orchestra's student-focused concerts give young clarinetists another way to hear orchestral playing.

School year: Aug 5 to Jun 3, 38 lesson weeks (Peoria Public Schools District 150)
Town guides: Peoria, Pekin, East Peoria, Morton, Washington

Champaign area

In Urbana, C4A ensembles give student musicians a group option alongside private clarinet study. The Champaign County Arts Council's Sounds of Summer series brings free concerts across the county, beginning June 5 at Melvin Miller Park in Urbana. Mahomet also has a free summer concert featuring Candy Foster and Shades of Blue, so families can make live music part of a student's listening routine.

Town guides: Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul

Bloomington area

Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony offers a student ensemble path for clarinetists ready to play with others. Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music events in Bloomington are open to the public and free. In Streator, Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra concerts are free for students through 12th grade, giving young players another way to hear orchestral repertoire beyond their own school band.

School year: Aug 20 to Jun 2, 39 lesson weeks (McLean County Unit District No. 5)
Town guides: Bloomington, Normal

Springfield area

Springfield offers a range of public music events for families. Most University of Illinois Springfield music events, including concerts and recitals, are free and open to the public, so a clarinet student can hear live performance without needing to make it a formal occasion.

Town guides: Springfield, Chatham

Kankakee area

Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra gives student clarinetists an audition-based ensemble option. Kankakee Municipal Band performs free outdoor concerts on Thursdays during its summer season at Bird Park, and the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra and Riverview Historic District offer a free summer series at Cobb Park. Students can hear wind and orchestral music in community settings as they build their own playing.

Town guides: Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley

Decatur area

Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra offers an audition-based route for area students in grades 6–12 with at least one year of instrumental experience. The Decatur Municipal Band presents free public concerts and family events through summer and fall, with its summer series including Fairview Park, Central Park, and The Devon. A young clarinetist can hear community band repertoire and work toward playing in a youth orchestra.

School year: Aug 12 to May 24, 38 lesson weeks (Decatur School District 61)
Town guides: Decatur

A little clarinet history in Illinois

Chicago has a direct connection to clarinet performance: Chicago-born Ted Johnson studied with Chicago Symphony clarinetist Jerome Stowell and began playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Ravinia Festival Orchestra at 18. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra traces its beginnings to an 1889 invitation to conductor Theodore Thomas, and its long presence gives young players a local example of orchestral work. Clarinetists can hear the instrument in classical chamber music and orchestral settings in the city, which helps connect daily practice to the sound and musicianship they are developing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a good clarinet teacher in Illinois?

Choose a teacher who listens to tone, breath, articulation, and your specific goals, whether those are school band foundations or an ILMEA audition. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet, and you can select a teacher or ask us to recommend one.

Do live video clarinet lessons really work?

Yes, a teacher can hear tone, articulation, and rhythm in real time and see posture and hand position over Zoom. There is no commute, and you can work with a teacher who fits rather than only whoever is closest.

When do Illinois schools start teaching clarinet?

Many Illinois districts begin band in fourth or fifth grade, though some start later. For example, Cicero School District 99 starts elementary band in fourth grade, while McLean County Unit District No. 5 begins in fifth grade.

How does a clarinetist reach Illinois's top student honors?

A school clarinetist auditions for an ILMEA district band, and students selected for the district ensemble who attend the full festival may be considered for All-State. The MTNA woodwind competition is another route, advancing from state to division and national rounds.

Can homeschool students enter Illinois music contests?

Yes, a homeschool family or co-op can register as an ILMEA Participating School and nominate the student for auditions. High school students selected for a district ensemble can be considered for All-State after attending the full district festival.

What age should a child start clarinet lessons?

A child is ready when they can comfortably manage the clarinet and mouthpiece and follow basic directions. Starting before or alongside school band can help them build tone, breath, and reading skills at a pace suited to them.

Is it too late to learn clarinet as an adult in Illinois?

No, adults can start or return to clarinet at any age. Groups such as DePaul New Horizons in Chicago and Kishwaukee Concert Band in DeKalb offer adult ensemble routes, while a teacher can tailor lessons to your current level.

How much are clarinet lessons in Illinois?

Clarinet lessons in Illinois typically cost about $72 an hour, or $33 to $53 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.

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Clarinet in Illinois

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A little clarinet history in Illinois

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