Upcoming Events
August 2
High School Jazz Ensemble Audition Applications due
August 3 - 8
Fall Individual Lessons Registration
August 6
Open House at Leon Strauss Center for Music in Faust Park
August 10-17
Kindermusik Demo Days
August 13
Kindermusik Early Bird Registration Deadline
August 16th
String Ensemble and String Orchestra Audition Applications due
August 23rd
Preparatory Program Audition Applications due
|
|
YPSO to Perform at 2020 MMEA Conference in January
|
The Community Music School's Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO) has been selected to perform at the annual Missouri Music Educator Association (MMEA) conference at Tan-Tar-A in January 2020.
This is the first time the CMS will be represented as a performing ensemble at this highly attended conference of Missouri music educators. Not only is it an honor, but a wonderful opportunity to share with band and orchestra directors the amazing experience their students are receiving or could be receiving by participating in a full orchestra at the CMS. Last year YPSO included young musicians from 24 different public and private schools and home educated students.
Established over 40 years ago, the YPSO is the most advanced of the CMS orchestras. Conducted by Patrick Jackson, the YPSO performs a wide range of orchestral literature and gives high-level middle and high school musicians the opportunity to play on a weekly basis with equally motivated and talented peers from throughout the region.
|
|
Join us for an Open House at the Leon Strauss Center in Faust Park
|
|
CMS invites you to come in and take a look around our Chesterfield location - the Leon Strauss Center for Music on
August 4th from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
just prior to the concert sponsored by the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce Faust Park Summer Concert Series.
Originally the Faust family home, Leicester Faust built the Pueblo Revivalist-style building in 1921. In the late 1990's the home was donated to the CMS through the work of Mrs. Faust and Leon Strauss who were on the board of the St. Louis Symphony. Renovations were completed in 1999 to include space for teaching studios but many of the home's original features are intact. Music has been ringing in the halls of this historic home ever since!
Stop by the CMS table at the Faust Park Concert grounds and we'll point the way through the woods. Local historian, Elizabeth Terry, has written a book about the Faust family and home and she will be available in the lobby for questions.
Stay for the Faust Summer Concert Series concert with
Scott Laytham & Karl Holmes
in the field below at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Welcome New Faculty and Staff
|
|
Graham Woodland
Suzuki Faculty - Violin
Graham Woodland is thrilled to be joining the CMS Suzuki Violin Faculty! Graham recently completed his Master’s Degree in Violin Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy Emphasis at The Hartt School, where he was a student of Katie Lansdale and completed his Suzuki training with Christie Felsing. During his studies, he maintained a large violin studio and was active as a performer. As a soloist, he has performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, University of Missouri Philharmonic, Hartt Contemporary Players, and the MU Chamber Orchestra. He is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and was previously Principal Second Violin of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, and Assistant Concertmaster of the Keene Chamber Orchestra in New Hampshire. Prior to his time in New England, Graham received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Missouri, where he was a student of Eva Szekely. He is a St. Louis native and proud alum of the Community Music School, having played in both Young People’s Orchestras and is a graduate of the Preparatory Program. He is excited to begin working with the inspiring faculty and wonderful students at CMS!
|
|
|
|
Michelle Martin -
Ensembles Representative
Michelle has spent a lifetime in music. A pianist, she has studied at both Brigham Young University and UMSL. She has many great memories of Community Music School beginning with her own training at age 11 with Sister Alice at CASA. Three of her children played strings in YPSO for several years. She currently has another child in the orchestra program. Michelle is thrilled to be here encouraging young people and those who guide them. She believes that although math and science make the world go around, it is the arts that give life meaning!
|
|
|
|
Rare Openings in the CMS Suzuki String Program
|
|
For the first time in recent history the esteemed CMS Suzuki String Program has multiple openings in violin, viola and cello, particularly with the addition of a new full-time violin instructor, Graham Woodland. For many years, the Suzuki String program operated at-capacity and was only able take a few new students every semester.
The youngest beginning ages for violin and viola is 4-6 years and for cello, 5-7 years.
The Suzuki method of instruction is based on the philosophy and teaching of the late Japanese educator Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, in which young children learn to play the violin, viola and cello the same way they learn to speak – by listening, imitating and repeating sounds.
The teacher, parent and child form a partnership in which the parent attends lessons and group classes with the child, learns to play the instrument and becomes the “home teacher” reinforcing the lessons and skills built with the Suzuki instructor.
"The Suzuki program has given my daughter a new skill that gives her confidence and joy. She is learning that hard work and practice produces beautiful results. Her teacher is so patient and meets her at her level to help her learn in a way that is most effective for her. We are so fortunate to have found a program where we can bond together and make lasting memories." - CMS parent
Please call 314-968-5939 to sign up for the upcoming Fall Orientation. For more information about the Suzuki String Program, please visit www.webster.edu/cms-suzuki
|
|
CMS Student Selected for the National Flute Association High School Flute Choir
Colleen McCracken
,
flute
(YPSO) is one of twenty high school flutists to be selected for the National Flute Association (NFA) High School Flute Choir. Colleen has played in the flute section of the CMS Young People's Symphonic Orchestra for the past two years and will be a Senior at Edwardsville High School this year. The NFA High School Flute Choir will perform at the National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah July 31 - August 4, 2019.
The National Flute Association, a not for profit institution, is the largest flute organization in the world. Its mission is "To enrich the musical lives of flutists." It was founded to encourage a higher standard of artistic excellence for the flute, its performers, and its literature. Members include leading soloists, orchestral players, college and university professors, adult amateurs, and students of all ages. NFA annual conventions are held in major cities in the U.S
.
|
|
20 Questions for Matt Pickart
Matt Pickart, assistant professor in the Department of Music and CMS faculty member (violin/viola), was a recent subject of "20Q," a feature that introduces readers to people involved in the area’s arts and entertainment community in The Gazette, a Wisconsin publication.
Pickart, a Beloit, Wisconsin native, returned to his hometown area for two performances in June. He discussed his career as a violinist/violist/jazz musician and performing in such iconic venues as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as the music entrepreneurship class he instructs at Webster.
"Musicians need to know how to survive in the real world," said Pickart. "It’s tough. A huge part of what I teach in the classes is how to have the right mindset, how to create your own opportunities, and how to reach your goals.
"
|
|
|
|
Kyu Butler presents at National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy
Congratulations to CMS faculty member
Kyu Butler
,
piano
, on the presentation of her poster "Measuring up to Prevent Injuries: Handspan, Repertoire, and Alternatively-Sized Piano Keyboards" at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.
Ms. Butler also recently became a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in piano.
|
|
The Landolfi Quartet, including CMS faculty member
Gary Lee
,
cello
, was on KTVI channel 2 as part of Make Music Day on June 21st.
|
|
Arianna String Quartet
Bach Society
Cathedral Concerts
Chamber Music Society
Chamber Project St. Louis
CHARIS Women's Chorus
Forte Chamber Orchestra St. Louis
|
|
Gateway Festival Orchestra
Jazz St. Louis
The Kingsbury Ensemble
Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis
New Music Circle
Sheldon Concert Hall
St. Louis Chamber Chorus
|
|
St. Louis Classical Guitar
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Town & Country Symphony
UMSL Touhill Performing Arts Center
Washington University Department of Music
Webster University Department of Music
|
|
Community Music School of Webster University | 314-968-5939
Our Locations:
CMS Center (headquarters), 535 Garden Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119
Strauss Center (in Faust Park), 14941 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO 63017
Holy Communion (University City), 7401 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130
The Community Music School is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and is a certified member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education. The Community Music School receives assistance from the Arts and Education Council of Greater Saint Louis.
Thank you to the many individual donors, alumni, and parents who support the Community Music School programs through annual gifts.
|
|
Community Music School of Webster University | 314-968-5939 | cms@webster.edu| webster.edu/cms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
