Music Makers Officially Acquires 4332 Howard, Construction Starting Soon

Local music school Music Makers of Western Springs has officially secured the lot at 4332 Howard Ave. for its new building, construction of which is now slated to take place in the spring of 2013.

Plans for the building were over a year ago after a traffic study and traffic-law changes to alleviate some controversy over vehicle congestion, but have been continually revamped over the past year and are still being finalized.

“It’s been a long process for us, but we’re so happy that we worked through all of this with the community,” said Music Makers owner Jeremy Michor. “We’re all very excited to make the move and have this be a long-lasting part of the community and a great addition to Western Springs.”

The vision for the new building has always been to resemble a residential home (though the lot has been ). But the new plans approaching completion call for a smaller construct, without the rent-out dance studio from the original concept.

Still, the building will represent a big step forward for Music Makers, who have operated out of the for the past two decades while continually growing. The structure will house their offices, private and group lessons, and they will retain a studio or two at the Community Center as well.

A new building should also be a marked visual improvement from the dilapidated tear-down house currently occupying 4332 Howard, which is slated to be demolished in about a month. (The lot is across from and just south of .) Music Makers plans to add a friendly exterior with a private drive and an outdoor patio space for parents.

“For us, it’ll be really nice to have a little more presence in the community,” Michor said. “We’ll have a sign; all the facilities will be new; the rooms will be as soundproof as we can get them. We love being in this community.”

While the dance studio is out—at least for now; there will be room for the potential of later expansion, perhaps a recital hall, Michor said—discussions are ongoing about the new school also offering much-needed space for Field Park Elementary School’s band, choir and orchestra programs, including a dedicated room.

After 34 years of serving Western Springs and the neighboring suburbs, Music Makers may well be long overdue for its own dedicated headquarters.

“We’ll be able to really provide a better environment for our private lessons, and I think that’ll be nice for the students and the families,” Michor said.