The October e-String: Celebrate 20 Years With Us!

1998-2018: So Much To Celebrate!

Twenty Years Strong:

In September of 1998, Trenton Community Music Makers opened its doors, announcing its commitment "to the educational, social and intellectual development of its students through musical training." In our early years we provided lessons in piano, strings, saxophone, flute, guitar, voice and more.

In 2000, universal pre-K arrived in Trenton with the landmark Abbott v. Burke decision. Trenton Community Music School had an opportunity to ensure that Trenton's preschoolers received the educational and social benefits implicit in high-quality music education, and in research partnership with Music Together®, we developed Music for the Very Young.

In February of 2015 we realized our dream of creating an orchestra for Trenton children: together with the Trenton Public Schools, we launched our El Sistema-inspired orchestra, Trenton Music Makers, with 30 violinists at Grant Elementary School. No longer giving private lessons but now reaching dozens of children together, and giving life to our goals of effecting social change through music, we changed our name in 2017 to Trenton Music Makers.

Last week, two orchestra sites opened, and next week we'll open two more. About 100 students will play in the Trenton Music Makers Orchestra this year.

Preschoolers have begun their Music for the Very Young classes, and their teachers are learning to infuse their lessons with music that supports all learning. Special-Needs classrooms are opening in Trenton and in Ewing, and we'll again have an Intergenerational class at the South Ward Senior Center, with children from the Mercer CYO Preschool.

With Our Gratitude

The Dr. Louis B. Boxer Memorial Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, which has supported us for the past ten years, has made an exciting announcement: to celebrate Trenton Music Makers' 20th Anniversary, the Fund will make a gift of $20,000 to the Trenton Music Makers Orchestra and Music for the Very Young programs. The trustees of the Fund invite the many generous people who follow our children's progress to join them in supporting Trenton Music Makers.

Celebrate With Us!

Thursday, November 15, 5:30 pm

Trinity Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton

Puerto Rico, You Lovely Island: a concert to support the continued rebuilding effort

In lieu of admission, there will be a collective gift requested, to benefit the ongoing hard work to rebuild homes, businesses, villages, and lives disrupted by Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico is home to many of our players' extended families and friends, and we warmly invite you to hear their first performance of the year, in support of this work.

Monday, January 25, 5:30 pm

Location TBA

We Shall Overcome: a concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King

Continuing our part in a growing tradition in the United States Sistema movement, we will celebrate Martin Luther King Day with a free community concert.

Saturday, March 16, 5:00 pm

Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton

Work of Art: Celebrating Trenton Music Makers' First 20 Years

Dinner, Trenton Music Makers Orchestra with Special Guests, Gala Honorees. Save the Date!

Sunday, April 28, 3:30 pm

Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University

SEMINARIO!

300 young musicians from Sistema-inspired programs from New Jersey to Baltimore will meet for a full-day conference at Princeton University. The closing concert will be open to the public, as part of the town's annual Communiversity celebration.

Welcome to Trenton Music Makers, Second Graders!

Our newest pre-orchestra site opened this week at Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Trenton. 20 second graders will learn the fundamentals of violin, viola or cello, and get ready to join the Trenton Music Makers Orchestra next year. Special thanks to El Sistema USA for the PRESTO grant that makes this new site possible!