Owner

Carol’s activities in the field of music encompass a broad range of performing, educating, recording, composing and arranging.  She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado where she received a double major in voice and woodwinds.  After college, Carol began a teaching career which included teaching elementary general music and band, high school choral and vocal jazz music, and private instruction in piano, woodwinds and voice.  She has also written, produced and performed several children’s musical theater productions. 

In 1994 Carol opened her own business, The Music Room, located in downtown Palatine.  The Music Room is a hub of resources, activities and educational opportunities for musicians, teachers and performers of all ages and levels of experience.  It hosts an extensive selection of sheet music, music books, musical instruments and accessories and is home to 500 music students from surrounding communities.  In 2007, The Music Room was one of five music stores in the nation to receive the Retail Excellence Award from Music Inc. Magazine. In addition to being a business owner, Carol is a freelance singer in Chicago.  She performs regularly with The Lakeside Singers, a group of 24 professional singers from the Chicagoland area, celebrating all styles of music from classical to rock. 

Carol has served on several community organizations including the District 15 Educational Foundation.  She is a past president of the Downtown Palatine Business Association, a group dedicated to promoting and enhancing businesses in the downtown Palatine area.

Name: Carol Cook

College: University of Northern Colorado

Major: Music Education (Voice/Bassoon)

At The Music Room since:  1994

First piece of music that had a profound effect on me: Grand Canyon Suite by Grofé - my mom used to tell a big story about donkeys running down the canyon while we listened to the piece together at full volume.  I think I was in my thirties before I realized she made the whole thing up just to help illustrate the brilliant color of the music to me.  What a gift!

Music teacher who inspired me the most: All three of my high school music teachers:  band, orchestra and choir.

Favorite quote about music:  “I stole everything I ever heard, but mostly I stole from the horns” ~ Ella Fitzgerald

My best gig:  Being accompanied on stage by Chick Corea when I was in college.

Favorite classical piece:  Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto #5”

Favorite rock band:  Chicago

Favorite jazz artist:  Ella Fitzgerald

Favorite classical singer: Diana Damrau

How I am making the world a better place: By acting upon the belief that what I put out into the world comes back to me tenfold. 

My email address:

• ccook@the-music-room.net

My website:

• www.the-music-room.net