Outreach Programs
Senior Outreach Programs
Youth Outreach Programs
Senior Outreach Programs
Solera Singers
Solera Singers, or “El Coro Solera” in Spanish, is a free chorus for seniors led by Community Music Center with classes taking place at Mission Neighborhood Center (two blocks away from CMC’s main branch). The word “solera” describes the process of aging fine liquids like sherry or brandy. The chorus sings in Spanish and the repertoire focuses in Latin-American folklore and popular music. The program began in February of 2011 as part of the MetLife Foundation Creative Aging Program. Funding was provided by MetLife Foundation through a grant by the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Chorus director, Martha Rodríguez-Salazar and accompanist Jennifer Peringer are thrilled with the community atmosphere and the camaraderie that has developed within the group. The Solera Singers have performed at Mission Neighborhood Center, Bethany Center, Heritage Senior Residence, Dolores Park (as part of the Cinco de Mayo Festival) and the 30th Street Senior Center.
Photos of Solera Singers performing at the 30th Street Senior Center
Photos of Solera Singers in rehearsal at the Mission Neighborhood Center
El Coro de la 30
CMC offers a free chorus for seniors in partnership with 30th Street Senior Center. The chorus is directed by Martha Rodríguez-Salazar and accompanied by Jennifer Peringer and meets on Mondays from 10:15-11:45am at 30th Street Senior Center: 225-30th Street between Dolores and Chenery, on the 3rd Floor. Participation is free and open to the public. If you are interested in singing with the chorus, please register at 30th Street Senior Center, room 315. For more information, contact Activities Coordinator, Ann Smith at asmith@onlok.org or (415) 550-2269.
Outreach Performances
CMC Music at Ruth’s Table (Bethany Center)
CMC holds a concert series at Ruth’s Table at Bethany Center Senior Housing. Past performances include a Musical Caravan to the Middle East, the Balkans and Asia, a Latin dance party by CMC’s Potingue, and performances by Solera Singers, Anything Goes Chorus, CMC’s Latin Vocal Workshop and Children’s Chorus. All performances are open to the public. See Community Music Center’s event calendar for concert announcements.
Bethany Center Senior Housing is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and services to low-income people with a focus on seniors. It is located at the corner of Capp and 21st Streets, literally two houses away from our main branch. In 2010, Bethany opened a new community center within its walls: Ruth’s Table, a center for creative learning designed for people over 50. Their objective is to provide art classes and services to enrich the lives of Bethany’s residents as well as to attract new younger seniors to their center.
Collaboration
Since the fall of 2010, Community Music Center uses Bethany Center space to teach private lessons and group classes. In exchange, CMC enriches Bethany’s cultural and social environment by bringing music events under the name “CMC Music at Ruth’s Table.” Past performances include a Musical Caravan to the Middle East, the Balkans and Asia, a Latin dance party by CMC’s Potingue, and performances by Solera Singers, Anything Goes Chorus, CMC’s Latin Vocal Workshop and Children’s Chorus. All performances are open to the public. See Community Music Center’s event calendar for concert announcements.
Outreach programs for older adults included a collaboration between CMC and the Center for Elders and Youth in the Arts. A series of concerts take place in partnership with The Heritage, a residence in the Marina, on site at The Heritage as well as at CMC’s Richmond District Branch, and at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
Youth Outreach Programs
Music classes for children of homeless families living at St. Joseph’s Family Center
St. Joseph’s Family Center in the Mission District provides housing and services to homeless families. Since 2004, Community Music Center has brought a weekly 90-minute music class to children of all ages at Saint Joseph’s. The class is led by CMC’s Ryan Heidtman, who is assisted by Saint Joseph’s Coordinator and several volunteers.
Buena Vista Horace Mann (BVHM)
History
Community Music Center has been part of the Horace Mann After-School Collaborative since 2005. The Collaborative is the association of the organizations that provide after-school services in the school. The Collaborative is administered by Jamestown Community Center.
CMC’s music after-school program at Horace Mann has changed over time, growing and adapting to changes in the school. CMC has seen a tremendous impact on the lives of many kids at Horace Mann, including those with special needs. In addition to our regular students, many more students have been exposed to music, music making and musical performances at the school. We are proud to report a change in school culture, with kids beginning to relate to music in new ways.
This year, Horace Mann middle School has merged with Buena Vista Elementary School. The school has become Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 (BVHM).
Current program
CMC began an after-school music program for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders this year. It takes place on Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:30. Children do rhythmic games, sing, and play recorders and Orf instruments. Some kids also receive beginning instrumental instruction on guitar. CMC teachers are Lichi Fuentes and Chus Alonso.
In addition, CMC continues providing after-school music classes for the middle-school grades. The music program for 6-8 graders is on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30. They work together as a group on rhythm. Them they divide in groups and work separate on guitar/bass (electric and acoustic guitar), piano/keyboard, percussion and strings. CMC has a team on five teachers working with the middle school grades: Ann Lam (violin and piano), Jesse Wolff (cello and piano), Pablo Davila (electric and acoustic guitar and bass), Sergio Durán (percussion) and Chus Alonso (Program Director).
CMC music program at BVHM is fully coordinated with the music program provided by the Music National Service (MNS). Hernando Buitrago, the MNS fellow, teaches during the day school but he also stays in the after-school on Thursdays and is part of our team.
Photos of “Lights On After School” performance at BVHM
Photos of Horace Mann student performers at “Young at Art” festival in Golden Gate Park
