Announcing “Field Day at CMC,” a 95th Birthday Extravaganza and Performathon in Honor of its Founder, Gertrude Field

Contact:
Kevin Herglotz
HPA Strategic Communications
415-963-2601
kevin@hpastrategies.com

For Immediate Release

Community Music Center Announces “Field Day at CMC,” a 95th Birthday Extravaganza and Performathon in Honor of its Founder, Gertrude Field

SAN FRANCISCO, August 18, 2016 – Music enthusiasts young and old are invited to help San Francisco’s Community Music Center celebrate its 95th birthday by participating in “Field Day at CMC” – a five-hour Performathon and birthday extravaganza that will feature a “Field Day Choir and Orchestra” of CMC students and alumni, workshops, lesson demonstrations, faculty and student performances, an instrument petting zoo, food, and more.

“It’s not every day you can celebrate making a difference in your community for three generations,” said Christopher Borg, executive director, Community Music Center.  “Field Day at CMC celebrates our founder, Gertrude Field, and 95 years of music for everyone with free performances, workshops, and lessons.”

Field Day at CMC” takes place on Sunday, November 20 from noon to 5:00 p.m. at 544 Capp Street in the heart of the Mission.  The Field Day extravaganza will feature CMC’s first-ever “Performathon” – where students, guest artists and music enthusiasts at all levels can help raise money for CMC scholarships by performing throughout the day. The event will be free and open to the public. For additional information or to support the event with a donation, please visit the “Field Day at CMC” website at sfcmc.rallybound.org or visit www.sfcmc.org .

Beginning today, 95 days before the Field Day extravaganza, CMC is launching a social media campaign of Happy Birthday videos from CMC students, alumni, community leaders, notable performers, music lovers and the general public, in addition to archival photograph social media posts chronicling CMC’s rich history. Happy Birthday videos can be viewed and uploaded on YouTube.

One of the first video birthday wishes comes from 96-year-old CMC violin student Remo del Tredici, who said, “I’m wishing a happy birthday to Community Music Center! It’s been a little over 20 years that I’ve been here. I’m still enjoying it and everyone I’ve been involved with. I love the school and hope to keep going on and on. I wish everyone in the school good luck!”

Gertrude Field, a violinist and nurse, came to San Francisco in 1912 from the Mannes School of Music in New York to become the first director of the music department of the Dolores Street Girls Club settlement house.  In 1921, Field established the music club of the Girls Club as an independent organization, the Community Music School, and moved it into its current home at 544 Capp St. in the Mission District.

Today, CMC offers music instruction to students from ages 2 to 96, not only in classical music but also in jazz, Latin, popular music, and many other styles. CMC enrolls students of all financial backgrounds, and offers one of the most generous tuition assistance programs in the country. Last school year, CMC awarded nearly $1.7M in tuition assistance to its students. For more information about “Field Day at CMC,” CMC’s educational programs, events and activities, visit www.sfcmc.org.

About San Francisco’s Community Music Center:  Founded in 1921, San Francisco’s Community Music Center (CMC), a Bay Area nonprofit, is one of the oldest and largest community arts organizations on the West Coast making high quality music accessible to all people, regardless of financial means. CMC, based in the Mission District, was established to “be a provider of music that is not art for art’s sake, but art for life’s sake.” CMC serves more than 23,000 people each year, including more than 2,400 students of all ages, ethnicities and income levels who enjoy music lessons, programs and concerts at no or low cost.  Learn more about CMC at www.sfcmc.org and follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

 

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