91ֱ�� Community Music School Hosts “Reopening Party” August 15</h1> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� Community Music School Hosts “Reopening Party” August 15</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 13:28:32 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� Community Music School Hosts “Reopening Party” August 15</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-08-05T09:28:32-04:00" title="Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 09:28">Thu, 08/05/2021 - 09:28</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Since opening in 2003, the <a href="/community-music-school">Community Music School</a> of 91ֱ�� Conservatory has delivered top-notch instruction and fostered a love of music with area families and students of all ages. This September, they hope to being doing all of that in person once again.</p> <p>Like arts institutions around the globe, CMS operations quickly transitioned to virtual delivery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its typical lineup of in-person lessons and classes replaced by Zoom rooms.</p> <p>The school is now celebrating its return to a full slate of in-person programming for fall 2021 with a reopening party scheduled for Sunday, August 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. The school is located in the historic Burrell-King House, at 315 East College Street in 91ֱ��. The free celebration will take place on the grounds rain or shine.</p> <p>“We are so happy that things are opening up again and that we hopefully will be able to continue in person this fall,” says <a href="/node/6826">Louise Zeitlin</a>, director of the Community Music School and associate professor of community engagement at the conservatory. Despite the online transition of the past year, she notes, some 85 percent of enrolled students continued to take lessons during the pandemic—and their artistic growth was evident in their monthly (virtual) recitals.</p> <p>“We work hard at the CMS to develop not only a musical community, but also a social one,” Zeitlin says. “We hold lots of events to allow for sharing of music and relationship-building. As we know, the social isolation of the pandemic was difficult for everyone, and so we hope that coming together as a community through music will allow us all to learn about music and celebrate life together!”</p> <p>Festivities begin with a student recital featuring CMS musicians from 1 to 1:45 p.m., followed at 2 p.m. by opportunities to view a lesson and try out new instruments. At 3, guests are invited to experience a class for early childhood and elementary school students. Visitors will also be treated to arts and craft stations, face painting, and more.</p> <p>A potluck meal and free ice cream will be available throughout the afternoon.</p> <p>In accordance with <a href="/obiesafe">91ֱ�� campus policy</a>, all guests are required to wear face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are advised at all times for unvaccinated guests.</p> <p>A pillar of the 91ֱ�� community, the Community Music School is operated by the conservatory and provides invaluable teaching opportunities for conservatory students through the <a href="/node/42011">Division of Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement</a>. Prior to the pandemic, the school’s enrollment had quintupled over the previous 15 years—a welcome development that also strains its ability to provide scholarship support to those in need.</p> <p>Like the conservatory, the CMS is committed to ensuring the affordability of music education. In past years, the school has earned generous support from the Nord Family Foundation, the Nordson Corporation, and the Bill Long Foundation, and it depends upon the generosity of individual supporters. (To make a contribution, please visit the <a href="https://advance.oberlin.edu/donate">giving page</a> at 91ֱ��.edu.)</p> <p>CMS scholarship applications and registrations for private lessons and classes for fall 2021 are now being accepted. Visit the <a href="/community-music-school">Community Music School page</a> at 91ֱ��.edu to learn more.</p> <p>All CMS activities for fall 2021 will be held in person, barring any changes mandated by area health officials.</p> <p><em> 91ֱ�� recommends attendance for vaccinated people. Everyone is required to wear a mask indoors at all times. Anyone with symptoms should refrain from attending campus events. 91ֱ�� policies are subject to change based on evolving public health recommendations.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Free, family-friendly celebration features performances, sample lessons, and activities.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-08-05T12:00:00Z">Thu, 08/05/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Erich Burnett</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3452">Community Music School</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/louise-zeitlin" hreflang="und">Louise Zeitlin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/pace" hreflang="und">Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy CMS</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Community Music School Student Appears on NPR’s "From the Top"</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 17:07:56 +0000</p> <span>Community Music School Student Appears on NPR’s "From the Top"</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-06-29T13:07:56-04:00" title="Monday, June 29, 2020 - 13:07">Mon, 06/29/2020 - 13:07</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><span id="cke_bm_235S" style="display: none;"> </span>For 17 years, 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s <a href="/node/3936">Community Music School</a> (CMS) has shared the Conservatory’s mission of supporting the teaching, creating, and performance of music at the highest level. This year, one of the school’s standout musicians, 18-year-old violist Natalie Brennecke, demonstrated the power of that mission.</p> <p>Brennecke won the opportunity to perform on the NPR-distributed radio program <em><a href="https://fromthetop.org/">From the Top</a></em>, a weekly showcase of exceptional young classical musicians from across America. Her February appearance on the program was recorded at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fromthetopphotos/albums/72157713916414842">George Mason University’s Center for the Arts</a> in Fairfax, Virginia. She played the second movement from Miklós Rózsa’s Viola Concerto. A national broadcast is slated for release on September 7, 2020. <em>(Check your local station listings for the broadcast in your area.)</em> </p> <p>Brennecke was also one of just 20 students nationwide named a 2020 <a href="https://fromthetop.org/about-us/scholarships/2020-jack-kent-cooke-young-artists/">Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist</a>, which includes a $10,000 award—presented by <em>From the Top</em> and sponsored by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation—that she plans to put toward the purchase of a viola.</p> <p>Brennecke began her studies at the Community Music School when she was 5 years old, working with Christiana Reader on Suzuki violin. She converted to the viola and started studying with <a href="/node/6826">Louise Zeitlin</a> 10 years ago.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>photo courtesy Natalie Brennecke</figcaption> </figure> <p>"I just loved the sound of the viola," recalls Brennecke. "I still love it. But now, I also really appreciate the versatile mid-range of the instrument."</p> <p>Zeitlin, also director of the Community Music School and an associate professor in the Conservatory’s <a href="/node/42011">Division of Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement</a>, "noticed a spark from the very beginning."</p> <p>"Natalie has demonstrated steady growth, and her parents have been an important part of her support system," Zeitlin says. "They are very devoted to CMS, and I couldn't ask for better parents of my students." Brennecke's younger brother is also a violist at CMS.</p> <p>In addition to classes and lessons at CMS, Brennecke supplements her studies with periodic lessons with violist Jeffrey Irvine and takes advantage of the young artist chamber program—a new initiative with CMS students who receive coachings with 91ֱ�� Conservatory faculty. She is also a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO). Earlier this year, Brennecke won the COYO Concerto Competition.</p> <p>It’s a busy schedule, but Brennecke juggles it wonderfully. "Natalie's pretty organized," says Zeitlin, "and performing has always been a regular part of her diet."</p> <p>When asked about the role of competitions in music study, Zeitlin offers that "everyone is different. For Natalie, competitions are just an extension of performing."</p> <p>"Competitions push you. And the adrenaline helps me focus to play my best," says Brennecke enthusiastically.</p> <p>All this would probably be overwhelming except for the benefit of home-schooling, which has allowed her to manage days that include several hours of practice. "This allows me flexibility I really need," Brennecke says. "I can practice when it's most beneficial for me, and get to rehearsals and music classes.</p> <p>"CMS does a great job of supporting students who want to go for music," she adds. "I would be nowhere if I didn't have the support of the people at CMS. They provide so many ways for you to grow as a musician." In the fall, she’ll be attending the Cleveland Institute of Music.</p> <p>"The social element of CMS is just as important, and it's provided community for Natalie,” says Zeitlin. “It's an important balance to strike. I always say, 'Unless they're having fun, you might as well not do it.'"</p> <p><em>The 91ֱ�� Community Music School provides instruction to musicians of all ages regardless of socioeconomic background, with the goal of training the next generation to love music. The school’s enrollment has more than quintupled since 2005—an outstanding development that also increases the strain on its available resources to support scholarships for students in need. Contributions to the Community Music School can be made at <a href="https://advance.oberlin.edu/donate">https://advance.oberlin.edu/donate</a>.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-06-29T12:00:00Z">Mon, 06/29/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Raised in 91ֱ��, 18-year-old violist Natalie Brennecke named a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3452">Community Music School</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/louise-zeitlin" hreflang="und">Louise Zeitlin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/pace" hreflang="und">Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Natalie Brennecke, an 18-year-old viola student at 91ֱ��'s Community Music School, performed on NPR's From the Top in February. The program is scheduled to air on NPR stations in September.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cameron Whitfield</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>