DELETED BY COMPANY. CUZ THEY KNOW IT'S TRUE. This used to be the gold standard for sheet music (I would know--I worked for Carl Fischer back in the day, on Wabash). They were always a bit on the snooty side, but at least they had the goods (such as they were), and a good crowd. Well, today, after years away from Chicago, I walked in to literal radio silence (they used to always have on classical/WFMT) and one girl sitting in the corner so far back I thought she was a disembodied voice. She was pleasant enough at first, but after I asked for 10% off of an anthology with a clearly damaged cover (both ends curled up straight into the air), it went downhill from there. I also had a number of used choral pieces, and when I asked what the price of some of the unmarked ones were, she pointed to the new price and told me, "I didn't understand what she was talking about." I said, "That's the new price," to which she testily told me, "You don't have to buy it." Huh??!! So, at her suggestion, I didn't. Saved me about $50, probably. But it also cost them the same. Not that this girl (who I tried with all my might to engage, with even more radio silence as the result) seemed to care. I was just short of boring her by saying that going through that music made me nostalgic for Fischer. The old days. But that store, like so many things of that nature, are long gone. And judging by their empty store, they soon will be, too. And in this particular case, I say Good Riddance read more

The practice rooms were good! Very convenient. A great selection of sheet music too! Helpful staff too

Interesting selection of sheets for a variety of instruments. Friendly service. I will be coming back to this location, especially for the piano sheet collection. read more

Performers Music - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Service is terrible. Ordered a Advanced Concert Studies for Trumpet for my son who plays and competes for SEMSBA standing on 7/5. Needed for Mid-August tryouts. on 7/8, received Hello, Thank you for your order. This is currently on back order, and will likely take a couple weeks to come in. We'll plan to keep it on order for you, but if you'd prefer to cancel please let us know. Best, Hilary After hearing nothing on 7/23, I wrote kindly provide me with an update for this order and received "This item is back in stock from the publisher and should be with the next box we receive, later this week. We will update you once it has shipped to you!" On 8/2, I wrote "Once again, please provide me with an update on this order." On 8/2, I received "Hello, Your order just arrived at our store yesterday, and it has now been shipped out." On 8/5, i received the response "We apologize for the delay. The book was originally on back order with the publisher, so could not be sent out until last week. Unfortunately the type of mail on your order does not include tracking, but I expect it will arrive sometime this week." It appears this company is a middleman that takes orders and then orders and sends when they receive. I wish I had checked that out; i would have bypassed them and driven to a store 30 mi. from me that carries material for sale. Lesson Learned. If received by wednesday will have been a WHOLE MONTH, with lost practice time for my grandson. read more

We used the piano practice space while on vacation in Chicago. The space was great and affordable, the staff was friendly, and the location is very convenient, close to the L. read more

Performers Music - Piano practice space - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

These guys rock. They sent me some sheet music that I needed and couldn't find it locally and he mailed it to me and I had it in a few days. A+ read more

I had been to this place so long ago but hadn't remembered it was there until I was visiting to get my bow rehaired and walked through the building. I found out they order sheet music for any part you need, so I got the parts for my upcoming concerts, I have a new friend in this store! It is so much better than printing the PDFs from IMSLP. I forgot how much some of these paper workbooks/collections cost, it's quite expensive. I was amused to find a score for 4'33" by Cage in the viola sheet music section (scored for viola of course), also an arrangement of the Rite of Spring for viola and piano. read more

Performers has nearly every piece of sheet music a student classical musician would need (and I'm sure their assortment is well suited to professionals as well). If they do not stock a piece (which is rare for the standard string repertoire), they will order it for you and call you when it is in. Great service and selection, plus it's always fun to visit the historic Fine Arts building and ride the manually operated elevator. read more

I have been a Performers Music customer since it opened in 1981. Performers Music stands superb in knowledge and customer service. Lee Newcomer, the owner and manager, knows virtually everything about classical and sheet music, his expertise will help you find the best publication to meet your needs and budget. Lee and his staff have long-term relationships with the publishing/distribution companies. If music is still in print, Performers Music can find it for you. When you walk into the store, you will be asked if there is anything you need help in finding. If you are just browsing, you will be left to do so at your leisure - you will never feel pressured to buy anything. I browse each time I visit and have found sheet music treasures, such as works by local composers and orchestral study scores. You should stop by and see what you can find for yourself, or place an order at the website. You can also call the store with questions and/or to place an order. Chicago is fortunate to have Performers Music. There is no comparison! read more

I have been patronizing Performers Music for over two decades. Lee and his entire staff consistently outperform my expectations. If you ever need sheet music of any kind, Performers will stop at nothing to get it for you, and as quickly as possible. Great job, Performers!!!! read more

This place is well-hidden! In fact, I had to ask a Chicago Symphony Orchestra musician where to buy music Manuscript Paper and he gave me the tip and the secret password! Just kidding, there is no secret password...but this place seems like it should have one. First off, you ride one of those old timey elevators with the metal gate, and it's got it's own Operator! Fun, secret, old timey! Watch your hands! The building itself is adorned with beautiful iron work, old paintings, and the dust of perhaps Beethoven himself. Opera singers in the distance practice their Carmen, a violinist struggles with a Bach Partita... Upon crossing Performers' threshold I was asked if I needed help finding anything. Wow, that's service! This place is THE place in the City for classical sheet music, etude books, metronomes, piano music. I found my Manuscript paper (that's blank paper with the staves for writing, this will be important later) and I perused the String Bass music section. For those who don't know, I used to play classical music, not just rock, jazz and African. My name is Kyle H., and I used to play Classical Music...I've been free and clear for 5 years (clap, clap, claps)! Perusing the bass music I noticed I had played or owned almost every piece of music there. Bass, light of my life, fire of my loins...I had a primal urge to rosin up the old horsehair and have at a couple of new pieces. I opened a few old faves to remember what they sounded like, to remember the countless hours stuck in a practice room, the audition where I announced my Concerto and the British judge said "Okay, play a few lines, then we'll get on to some REAL music". (True story). My back story aside, Performer's Music can do that to you. It's a place that really is set in a time warp. They even had vocal warm ups on cassette! The kindly man who rang up my order asked me if I was a composer, as he wrote out my order by hand, no computers here! Me: "No, I just write string parts for Rock bands. Glam bands." He said "well, it doesn't matter what you're writing for , you're still a composer." Me: "I used to play in the Civic Orchestra and Rockford Symphony. I'm really missing the Classical being in here." He: "I'm sure you're doing other things. Things that are important to you now." I came in for sheet music, I left feeling like I had been to the mountaintop and was given a Zen lesson on my musical life. Now that, my friends, is Service. read more

I had a really unpleasant experience here. When I entered no one offered to help me find anything or even greeted me. Ok, that's not so strange I've been in stores like that before. Then, another young woman, entered the store, and the owner (worker?) almost immediately asked her if she needed help finding anything. He then proceeded to walk past me silently, not even bothering to offer me assistance. I proceeded to walk out of the store, not buying anything. By the way, I'm a minority. Take that as you will, but I will never go back. read more

Performers Music is a true treasure of Chicagoland So happy you're still going strong! Great customer service, and knowledge of the repertoire Thank you, Performers Music :-) read more

I loved coming here in between orchestra rehearsals back in the day. Thanks for letting all of us annoying little pre-teens and teenagers hang out here; I'm sure we were far from endearing. They have all sorts of goodies: obscure sheet music, etc; if you can't find it they'll order it. read more

Once a year I get the urge to give a gift of rare, foreign and hard-to-find composers' sheet music to a friend. Regular music stores usually do not carry what I look for, and the last few years have been endless searching online, once a year. Well, the search is over. This place carries it all. You name it, they probably have it. I was surprised that they had complete collection of Ravel's piano pieces in Durand edition, because no one else does, especially B&Ms. Staff is friendly, selection is unbelievable, pricing regular. Little hard to find, but the elevator operator is a plus... This place should meet any musician's needs. read more

Performers Music is THE go-to place for professional musicians in Chicago. I often go here just to browse new editions of old favorites. The staff is knowledgable, helpful, and supportive. They have everything, or will order it for you. They also have a big selection of Dover scores, helpful for the economical musician. Performers Music is fantastic! read more

WOW!! AMAZING SERVICE!!! My daughter lost the sheet music for a piece she'll be performing this weekend. I called Performers Music to look for it. Not only did the incredibly friendly woman who handled my call find that it was available at their storage location, she said she would have it brought to the downtown store, and would even fax it to me if it was urgent. I told her that I could pick it up in the evening, on my way home, but that I wasn't sure where to park (they are located on Michigan Avenue). She said that as long as I called 5 minutes before getting to the store, someone would come out and hand it to me!!!! That's exactly what happened. I called, and a young man met me on the sidewalk as I pulled up to the store. read more

Performers is located in the historic fine arts building on Michigan Ave. As a piano and voice teacher I appreciate their excellent collection of classical books and sheet music. This is one of the very last places in Chicago where you can go to purchase sheet music in person. Most things you have to get off the internet these days, which is convenient, but there's something to be said about being able to go find a book of music you like and take it home and play that day. It's a nice way to spend an afternoon. read more

Located in the Fine Arts Building,this is probably the best sheet-music store between the coasts (a guess, having done very little music shopping on said coasts). If they don't have it, they know they don't so ask and they'll order it for you. They keep Vandoren blue box Alto and Clarinet reeds (not Tenor, sadly) in stock and have tuners, metronomes and a small collection of other music supplies. My friends Andrew turned us on to the place 4 years ago and I always make it in to see whats new. read more

This is definitely the best place to get classical sheet music in the city! They have an excellent vocal department, and they also carry solo, chamber, and orchestral scores. You can also find some musical theatre repertoire, as well, although you will do better at Coulson's for Broadway music. Also, they have a nice selection of books on pedagogy, music history, technique, etc... They will order anything for you, as long as it is in print, and they are willing to order from small & international presses, as well. Things don't always come in in a timely manner though, as some publishers are slow to respond, however, they usually call you to let you know if something is going to take a while. They also have some music periodicals, as well as metronomes, recorders, reeds, strings, etc...This place is kind of stuck in a time warp; No computers, handwritten receipts, etc..., and you have to ride a manually operated elevator up to the ninth floor of the Fine Arts Building to get there, but the selection is excellent. The organizational system can be a little weird, so if you don't see what you are looking for, just ask! The staff is pretty knowledgeable. read more

The only good sheet music store I know of in Chicago. It's worth going just to experience the Fine Arts building, with the original man-operated elevators! Perfect place for music students in Chicago to buy music. Save money on shipping and get an amazing cultural experience by going! read more

I love this music store. The owner, Lee, is very kind and so are his music clerks. I've been a repeat customer each and every time I visit the city. If you cannot find something they will help read more

Definitely the best supplier of classical music scores in Chicago proper. Great selection and if they don't have it, they order whatever edition you need promptly. read more