West Point School of Music's mission is to engage urban youth through music instruction and performance; cultivating artistically connected, socially conscious, productive adults. This tuition-free community music school provides instrumental music education in low-income, underserved, and culturally isolated Chicago neighborhoods, including Roseland, Englewood, South Shore, and Chatham, filling the gap left by schools suspending or eliminating arts programs. After-school programs ensure youth have a safe place, improve academic performance, classroom behavior, school attendance, academic aspirations, and reduce the likelihood of dropping out. Participation is also associated with positive health outcomes, including reduced obesity and drug use. The programming is high quality, unique, and culturally diverse, exemplified by the Epic Steel Orchestra which performs Calypso, Latin, Jazz, Classical, and Contemporary music.