CMC faculty imagine a bright future with creative stimulus funding
CMC faculty members are getting a little boost of inspiration and support courtesy of an anonymous donor. The donor, who is also a CMC student, and CMC have created a grant called “Imagine the Future: A Creative Stimulus and Artist Support Grant for CMC Faculty.” The grant’s intention is to stimulate and support meaningful creative work for CMC faculty. The donor recognized the need for faculty to have not only financial support, but also to nurture creativity and the arts at a time when performing artists are facing devastating losses of income due to cancellations. The intention of the grant was to get musical artists thinking and feeling the spark of creativity during an otherwise dark time for the arts. The awards were announced to faculty earlier this week.
Saying “Thank You” with a little music
One of CMC’s board members and students, Cathi Kwon, hatched a beautiful idea. In appreciation of all the many people who continue to go to jobs and provide services for the many who are staying at home, she wants to say, “Thank you” with music. In the spirit of Italians singing from balconies during their quarantine, her idea is that on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM people can show their appreciation by playing “With a Little Help from my Friends” by the Beatles. People can play music out their windows and/or video themselves playing. CMC will take these videos and share them with the world through our social media.
Celebrating the power of music and community at CMC’s online Gala
On Thursday, April 23, CMC’s Gala will go online with a program featuring sensational faculty performances and community voices. Gala guests can expect to be uplifted with great music and candid moments into the lives of CMC students and faculty during an unparalleled moment in CMC’s history.
Music is a lifeline for older adults
For CMC, the COVID-19 crisis hit early. Senior centers around San Francisco were the first to close their doors in early March and older adults were the first population recommended to socially distance themselves. With these closures the CMC Older Adult Choir Program, which serves nearly 400 older adults in senior centers throughout San Francisco, immediately transitioned to an online format, where choir faculty started making videos.
Taking Lessons Online
With the City of San Francisco’s direction to shelter-in-place, Community Music Center is not holding on-site lessons and classes at its Mission District and Richmond District Branches from March 14–April 7. All CMC concerts and events during this period have also been cancelled. We will miss our cherished community during this time, but the music […]
Violins of Hope at Community Music Center
The moment the musician put her bow on the string, the power of the Violins of Hope was clear. These stringed instruments, which belonged to prisoner-musicians from the camps of the Holocaust, represent what is both the worst and best of humanity: the cruelty of war and the beauty of art, the power of faith. Now, through the devotion of Amnon Weinstein, a renowned violin maker, these instruments have been beautifully restored and are being shared in schools and concert halls around the world.
It takes a village: The Bernal Hill Players and the spirit of collaboration
The 25th Anniversary season of the Shenson Faculty Concert Series at Community Music Center kicks off on Sunday, February 23 with It Takes a Village with the Bernal Hill Players. Their chamber music program emphasizes multiculturalism, women’s empowerment, and celebrates San Francisco’s vibrant local musical community. The concert highlights music by North and South American composers in diverse styles, including classical, folk, tango, contemporary, and experimental. It also features a commission by CMC faculty member and composer Erik Pearson.
Jon Frank: A lasting legacy for CMC young musicians
Jon Frank has a long history at Community Music Center supporting the excellence of young musicians. He spent 26 years of a nearly four decade career as a music teacher nominating his students to audition for the CMC Young Musicians Program. Even though he has retired, his work with young musicians lives on. With the creation of the Sid and Iris Frank Memorial Scholarship, in memory of his parents, CMC students will receive a tuition-free education for generations to come.
Exciting news about the Campus Expansion Project
On Thursday, November 21, CMC’s Campus Expansion Project went before the San Francisco Planning Commission. A robust contingent of students, faculty, and friends of CMC attended the hearing to show their support for the project. After the project was presented to the Commission, 13 people spoke in support of the Campus Expansion Project during the public comment portion. Students, parents, and neighbors of all ages shared personal, heartfelt experiences in support of CMC’s work and of the Campus Expansion Project.
Getting started with improvising: Practice tips from CMC jazz improv and trumpet faculty Max Miller-Loran
Do you want to get started learning how to improvise, but don’t know where to begin? Max Miller-Loran, who teaches trumpet, Jazz Improvisation-Beginning, and Jazz Improvisation Workshop, has great tips to get you going. Winter Quarter is a perfect time to learn a new musical skill. CMC offers an array of opportunities to woodshed your jazz skills. In addition to Max’s classes, try private lessons, Jazz Ensembles, and Djangology. All levels are welcome.