Sun, Nov 16
Music Sharing Blocks
Begin at 3:00 PM
Dorothy H. Baker Recital Hall
at Community Music School
This new music sharing opportunity is open to all students. Learn more below:
Free to be features
- Shorter blocks: Approximately 15-20 minutes per block
- Smaller audience: Approximately 30 students and families
- Flexible seating options: Mats, bean bag chairs, family seating, tables, and standing room available
- Relaxed attire: Either formal or casual clothes are welcome
- Low tech: Natural lighting, no professional videography/photography
- Program and lineup: No printed program; the order of students is facilitated by the teacher.
- Virtual sharing option available
- Backing tracks accepted
We are excited to introduce a music sharing opportunity for all our students that features more relaxed expectations of both students and audience. “Free To Be” will feature shorter time blocks, smaller audiences, flexible seating options, relaxed attire, natural lighting, no professional videography/photography, no printed program, and available virtual sharing and backing track options.
With a focus on inclusivity, the “Free To Be” program was developed through the work of the CMS Programming Committee. The Committee was led by Program Coordinator Kelly Hooper and included CMS Executive Director, Jeff Reed; students; parents; teachers; board members; and community partners representing the Allentown School District, Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance, and Music Therapy Associates. Leveraging these unique perspectives, the Committee explored how CMS can better meet the needs of all our students, including those who are neurodiverse, their families, and the wider community.
The Committee analyzed these perspectives through the lens of our organization’s five strategic objectives – Visibility – Diversity – Collaboration – Programming – Sustainability – to identify gaps in our current program and performance offerings. Our analysis then centered on the need for more inclusivity and refinement of our programming to better serve the growing population of neurodiverse students who are not participating in regular recitals at CMS. After extensive research on innovations in programming at peer music organizations that specialize in accessibility and inclusivity, the Committee developed our “Free to Be” program – – a relaxed, inclusive experience designed to provide a comfortable, low-pressure opportunity for all students to share their musical progress with others.
The Francis Clark Center’s Community Impact Grants Initiative is a national program that supports innovative, community-driven projects that expand access, foster inclusion, and strengthen community engagement through piano education. CMS applied for and received a grant from the Center to fund the costs of a projector and screen for pre-recorded student sharing videos, neurodiversity-focused teacher training, noise-cancelling headphones, alternative seating options, and other innovations for our new “Free to Be” program. The Frances Clark Center is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) educational organization that serves the advancement of piano teaching, learning, and performing through highest quality resources and programs.
CMS Program Coordinator Kelly Hooper shared her enthusiasm for the “Free to Be” program and noted that the support from the Francis Clark Center “allowed us to get the program off the ground and give more students opportunities to share their musical achievements in an environment that works well for them.”
As with all CMS opportunities, students interested in participating on Sunday, November 16, should discuss the “Free to Be” opportunity with their teachers. Piano accompaniment requests must be submitted by October 20. The deadline for teachers to sign up students for their sharing blocks is Monday, November 3.
Any questions should be directed to Program Coordinator Kelly Hooper at kelly@cmslv.org.
Traditional Recital Features:
- Longer blocks: Approximately 45 minutes per act
- Larger audience: Approximately 75-125 students and families
- Seating sections: Performers sit together in the first three rows of the audience
- Fancier attire: Collared shirt, dress, no jeans, no ripped clothes
- High tech: Professional audio, lighting, photography, and videography
- Printed program and lineup: Order of performances is solidified ahead of time and printed in the program, along with sponsors
Features of all CMS Music Sharing Opportunites
Open to all students, with approval from their teachers
Live audience
Calm zone available
Piano accompaniment available
Noise-canceling headphones available
Recital Prep Class offered
Free To Be Features:
- Shorter blocks: Approximately 15-20 minutes per block
- Smaller audience: Approximately 30 students and families
- Flexible seating options: Mats, bean bag chairs, family seating, tables, and standing room available
- Relaxed attire: Either formal or casual clothes are welcome
- Low tech: Natural lighting, no professional videography/photography
- Program and lineup: No printed program; the order of students is facilitated by the teacher.
- Virtual sharing option available
- Backing tracks accepted