Summer Programs ONLINE
June 2 - July 22
Kindermusik Summer Music Online
June 1-5
Virtual Flute Camp
June 15-18
Summer Lessons - Online Registration
June 22-26
Virtual Band Camp
July 6-17
Virtual Summer Composition Intensive
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"I, for one, can attest that my daughter has found joy in knowing her voice lessons with Gina were able to continue. She has found comfort and happiness through her singing. We appeciate all you do through CMS."
-- CMS parent
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A positive thing I've noted going online with my middle and high school students is that students have been freed up to explore their own musical interests, since schoolwork doesn't take up the whole day and other activities are mostly cancelled. I've had several students who found sheet music online that they want to work on, and one student is making his own Google Classroom History of Music course (enrollment is capped at 1 student: his younger brother). I've been using Google Slides with animations recently as a fun way to do repetitions to keep my younger students engaged.
-- CMS Faculty
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Director Carol Commerford Retires after 18 years at CMS
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After 18 years serving as Director of the Community Music School of Webster University, Carol Commerford will retire on May 29, 2020.
Carol began her career with the CMS during a period of transition - CMS having just joined with Webster University when she came on board in 2002. When Webster University moved the CMS to the Webster Groves campus, she managed the transition of the CMS programs from University City to their new building and current headquarters on campus at Webster University in 2006. Other major accomplishments at CMS during her tenure include:
- the development of a robust summer camp program
- the creation of the CMS Young Composers Competition with Arden and Harry Fisher
- celebration of the CMS 80th Anniversary commemorated by the Arts and Education Council’s Excellence in the Arts Award, as well as the 90th Anniversary Celebration
- initiation of the Explore Music program
- development of CMS/St. Louis Public Schools partnership for the After School Music Program
- establishment of endowments for piano maintenance (Beiseman) and faculty professional development
- merger of the 2 largest Kindermusik programs in the St. Louis area under the CMS
- establishment of the Ruth Thiel and Margaret Grayson Voice Master Class series
- the completion of two national accreditation processes with the National Association of Schools of Music (2010 and 2020)
Most recently, Carol has worked tirelessly to provide a smooth transition and calm leadership during the Covid-19 crisis.
In truth, Carol's accomplishments are too many to name. Her dedication and commitment to students, faculty and staff and her tenacious advocacy for music education leaves a powerful legacy.
Webster University is conducting a search for the new CMS Director. Assistant Director, Ken Lederle will serve as Interim Director until a new Director is secured.
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Rader Quartet wins Gold and Haydn Prize at St. Paul String Quartet Competition
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CMS Preparatory Program's Rader Quartet won Gold in the Final Round of the 2020 St. Paul String Quartet Competition (SPSQC) and the Haydn Prize for best performance of a Haydn Quartet.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the 2020 SPSQC Final Rounds were moved online and presented on YouTube "Live" on April 25, 2020. Using previously submitted videos from the first round, performances were viewed in real time and adjudicated and scored by the excellent Catalyst Quartet. There were live interviews of each quartet, conversations with renowned chamber music guests/alumni, and then the announcement of the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Haydn Round winners.
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Congratulations to
Alex Cho (cello),
Jacob Sheldon (viola),
Ethan Mayer (violin) and
Theo Bockhorst (violin)
--
Names printed with permission.
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To
specifically see and hear our Rader Quartet:
- Haydn Quartet 1st movement performance –Start at 38:28
- Rader Quartet interview -- Start at 2:30:10
For more information about the nationally-recognized St. Paul String Quartet Competition 15-year history, please visit
www.spsq.org
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Generous to the end, Arden Fisher Gifts New Pianos
Remembering Arden Fisher, Longtime Community Music School Donor
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The Community Music School of Webster University mourns the passing of longtime friend, supporter and benefactor, Arden Fisher on April 10.
Read the obituary here
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Arden and her late husband Harry (d. Nov. 19, 2019) were generous and active supporters of the CMS for decades, beginning in 1994 when the CMS was named the Saint Louis Symphony Community Music School. Both Arden and Harry served on the CMS Advisory Board and Arden remained actively engaged throughout. Originally inspired by their grandson’s participation in a student composition program in Oregon, the Fishers approached the Community Music School about creating a similar program in St. Louis.
In 2004, the Young Composers Competition was established, and in 2010 the Fishers created an endowed fund to ensure it would continue. This open competition now receives submissions from young people ages 12 to 21 from across the United States and around the world.
In addition to initiating and sponsoring the Young Composers Competition, their contributions also include the Arden and Harry Fisher Endowed Piano Scholarship; the Arden and Harry Fisher Endowed Woodwind Scholarship; providing the funding for hand rails leading up the stairs to the stage; and other CMS programs including Explore Music!, the Summer Composition Intensive, and the Chamber Music Encounter.
“Not only was Arden Fisher generous, she was an idea-factory,” says CMS Director Carol Commerford. “Her devotion to music education and love for the Community Music School was demonstrated by her enthusiastic generation of ideas for program improvements and new programs. And she was always there to bring those initiatives to fruition, celebrating the Young Composers, helping with Explore Music events and supporting whenever she saw a need."
Commerford further notes, “One of the needs Arden recognized is the CMS piano inventory. As a result of her love for our CMS students and faculty, Arden is leaving a legacy of new pianos for the CMS. Her generous donation will allow the CMS to acquire a new concert grand piano and 4-5 new studio pianos allowing student to play on instruments worthy of their talents. Thank you, Arden!”
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Robin Trio and Rader Quartet Compete at Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition
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Despite the many cancellations of arts events due to COVID19, another major competition has moved forward with an online format. The 47th annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition will be streamed
May 7-9
. A complete schedule is available at
Fischoff.org
.
Two CMS Prep groups have advanced to the quarter-final round: The Rader Quartet (JS10 Junior String division) and the Robin Trio (JW10 Junior Winds). The Robin Trio represents the first ever wind entry from St. Louis. The competition will post the competitors' videos to a worldwide audience. Judges will watch in real time and advance 12 to the semi-finals, then 3 to finals.
The Robin Trio was also asked to create a short educational video for schools in South Bend, IN, home to Fischoff. This is the Rader Quartet's second appearance as Fischoff quarter-finalists.
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Robin Trio: Rafi Brent (horn), Ben Weppler (bassoon),
Roshen Chatwal (horn)
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Rader Quartet:
Alex Cho (cello),
Jacob Sheldon (viola),
Ethan Mayer (violin) and
Theo Bockhorst (violin)
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Names printed with permission.
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Meet Our New CMS Receptionist - Laura Stoessel
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My name is Laura Stoessel and I am excited to be the new CMS Receptionist! I grew up taking piano and voice lessons, and after high school went on to pursue a degree in music. I graduated from Webster University in 2012 with a BA in music with an emphasis in vocal performance. On the weekend, I serve as the Music Director for Ste. Genevieve du Bois church in Warson Woods, Missouri. When at home, my favorite thing to do is spend time with my basset hound, Brünnhilde. I look forward to meeting you soon!
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A "son" is a kind of Mexican mariachi song. The translation of the title of this video is "With Love from Mexico."
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"With Love From Mexico"
posted by Manuel Zogbi
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This video was posted to YouTube by Manuel Zogbi and shows just what is possible creating music online!
CMS Connection:
Manuel is Cathie Lehr Ramos' nephew and was known as Manuelito when he spent two years with Cathie and her husband (
Manuel Ramos
) in St. Louis in elementary school. During Manuel Zogbi's time with the CMS, Rosie Martin was his Suzuki violin teacher, and he was in Mary Lou Gotman's String Orchestra.
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Keep the Music Playing this Summer - ONLINE!
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CMS has converted our summer programs to online! Registration deadline is
May 20th
for June camps and June 15 for July camp.
weekly classes
June 2 - July 22
June 1 - 5
(Middle School level grades 6-8/High School level grades 9-12)
June 22 - 26
July 6 - 17
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Safe Online Lesson Practices
When CMS is required to use a virtual learning platform to deliver lessons CMS will strive to utilize internet-based platforms that ensure student safety and confidentiality. Here are some tips for parents to ensure the safety and confidentiality of your students:
- Online lesson appointments will come directly from the instructor to the parent's email. CMS faculty members will not set up lessons through a student email account.
- If setting up a profile up on a video conferencing platform, do not use student personal details in the profile.
- Set up a student to have a lesson in a common space in the house, a living room, dining room, kitchen or family room.
- If possible on your video platform, and if it is not distracting to the lesson, blur your background or use an alternate background.
- Parents must give permission to the instructor to record the lesson.
- Any recordings of lessons should remain private between the student and the instructor. DO NOT post lesson recordings on social media (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc).
- Parents should supervise their students while in a virtual lesson. Parents do not need to “attend” a virtual lesson but should be with in earshot or in the background while the lessons is going on.
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Student Kudos are based primarily on information received by the Community Relations Coordinator from instructors or parents. If you'd like to submit information for the CMS c-blast, please email
lesliewobbe92@webster.edu
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CMS Students compete in the 2020 Belleville Philharmonic Stars of Tomorrow Concerto Competition
Lana Xu
,
violin
(Prep)
Noah Kennedy
,
violin
(Prep) and
Abigail Hart
,
piano
(Prep)
competed live in Belleville on March 21st during the
Belleville Philharmonic Stars of Tomorrow Concerto Competition
.
Adam Zhao,
cello
(Prep) played his audition over the phone and was the winner!
Lana Xu,
violin
took 3rd place, and
Noah Kennedy,
violin
and
Abigail Hart,
piano
were selected as additional soloists with the orchestra next season. An extraordinary result! There are so many great teen players in our town, these community orchestras have to offer more soloist slots!
Congrats to Adam, Lana, Noah, and Abby.
-- Vera Parkin
Kudos to my student
Eric Chen
,
violin
(Ilyashov) for being awarded one of the top prizes in the Belleville Philharmonic Concerto Competition. He will perform as soloist with that orchestra in October. --Pavel Ilyashov,
violin
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Congratulations to
Micky Chyu
,
violin
(Prep) - winner of the Music Federation Club Summer Camp Scholarship competition.
The Robin Trio, Prep’s first wind group to ever play at Fischoff, was asked to participate in the Mystery Musician Project for South Bend school children.
Preparatory Program students will record an online solo recital for Barclay House residents. Check our the CMS Facebook page for a link to the recital later in May!
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Faculty:
Kyu Butler
(piano) was inaugurated as President of World Piano Teachers Association-USA, Missouri on April 27, 2020
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Congratulations CMS Seniors!
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Sama Ahmadian - Voice
Susu (SuSu) Anderson - Violin
Andrew Baker - HSJE
Ryan Bowermaster - Trumpet
Camden Breckenridge - Flute
Theo Bockhorst, Prep
Rafi Brent, Prep
Landon Brown - Suzuki Violin
Ethan Brown - Suzuki Violin
Victoria Campos - Voice
Patrick Chambers - HSJE
Alex Cho - Cello, Prep
Ashley Chung - Flute
Josh Cole - Clarinet
Maya Combs - YPSO
Nicholas Cosic - HSJE
Becca Daye - YPSO
Olivia DeHaven - Low Brass
Amy Donald - Oboe, YPCO
Philip Duchild, Prep
Sydney Eaton - Bassoon
Megan Everson - Voice
Alexander Fu - Violin
Gabriel (Gabe) Gibert - Bass
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Tucker Hall - Clarinet, YPSO
Abigail Hart, Prep
Natalie Hartman - Piano, Percussion
Katie He, Prep
Kathryn Heddens-Kocher - Piano, Flute
Jacob Hinton - Cello, Prep
Keaton Ibendahl - Violin
Lucas Icaza - Piano
Ian James - YPSO
Alexandria Keller - YPCO
Andrei Krozel - Cello
Jack Leonhardt-Smith - Oboe
Emily Loduca - Cello
Colleen Loemker - YPSO
Gillis Lowry - YPSO
Christian Maldonado - YPSO
Sophia Massena - Voice
Ethan Mayer, Prep
Alaina McAlister - YPCO
Zaria McKay - Voice
Ryan Melnick - HSJE
Will Nelson - Piano
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Molly Prow, Prep
Lily Ragan - Flute
Daniel Ramirez - YPSO
Jacob Reuter - YPSO, Prep
Katie Reynolds, Prep
Maggie Rosenstock - Voice
Nina Schifano - YPSO
Brianna Schwer - YPCO
Nirupama Shanbhag - Flute
Jacob Sheldon, Prep
Katie Snelling, Prep
Junyi Su, Prep
Walter Thomas-Patterson, Prep
William Turner II - YPSO
Hannah Vander Tuig - YPSO
Abigail Wagner - Voice
Maggie Wahle - YPSO
Thomas Welnick - Oboe, YPSO
John Yanev - Piano
Kyle Yerby - YPSO
Natalie Young - YPSO
Anna Zhong, Prep
Kevin Zhou - Violin
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Names compiled based on information submitted on registration forms or confirmed by faculty. If anyone is missing, please let us know!
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CMS Website Includes Links to Resources for Families and Music Educators
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Musical Ancestries on Classic 107.3 Premieres 3rd Episode: "Central America"
Musical Ancestries is a quarterly program designed to teach school-aged children about world music.
On Saturday April 25th, listeners met the fictional children's marimba group "Los Estudiantes" and their beloved teacher, Señora Cruz. Los Estudiantes are about to embark upon an exciting journey to perform at three music festivals in Central America, but first they must learn about the music, history, and traditions of Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama!
Musical Ancestries is made possible through a grant from the PNC Foundation through
PNC Arts Alive
, a multi-year initiative dedicated to supporting visual and performing arts
.
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Instrument Playground Online
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Welcome to the SLSO's Instrument Playground Online! This resource features videos, photos, and activities that introduce audiences to the instruments of the orchestra and the musicians who play them. Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, or someone who just loves music, we hope you enjoy exploring the instruments of the orchestra.
Click here
to explore!
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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.
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Community Music School of Webster University | 314-968-5939 | cms@webster.edu| webster.edu/cms
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