A Day at Symphony Hall
Last month, we had a fantastic experience bringing over 180 students from our partner sites, William E Russell Elementary and Samuel Adams Elementary to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra! The BSO presented a special concert tailored to young audiences, “Young at Heart: A Musical Look at Curiosity, Creativity and Courage.” Conductor Francisco Noya led a bilingual program and introduction to the various sections of the orchestra, addressing hundreds of English and Spanish-speaking students from all over Boston. We adored how the students lit up and engaged with musical pieces by composers who shared lived experiences and cultural backgrounds in common with them and their families—like composers Carlos Simon, Valerie Coleman, or Arturo Márquez. After the concert, we extended our stay at Symphony Hall with lunch and coloring in Higginson Hall, where students drew themselves onstage at the BSO!
Thank you to all the Russell and Adams Elementary teachers and administrators who made this trip possible, including our CMCB faculty members, Brenda Herrera, Simone Trovato, and Aleksandre Roderick-Lorenz! We had such a great time and are so grateful to continue providing these experiences to all of our students and program participants in the future!
Thank you, Sphinx Virtuosi
On Saturday, April 1, we welcomed a quartet from the Sphinx Virtuosi to Allen Hall. We were so honored to host the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization in our space, a group that aims to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Their concert at CMCB was a highlight of this school year, and an incredible opportunity to share performances from professional musicians who represent some of the diverse cultures within CMCB’s community!
The program showcased the beauty and tradition of excellence in works created and performed by Black and Latinx composers across generations. The members of the quartet also participated in a Q&A with our students and community, discussing the importance of diversity and representation in classical music. They talked about their repertoire selection, noting that “including a mix of music from past composers and contemporary ones doesn’t mean that you are changing or replacing the old canon, but that you are evolving it.” This insightful gathering was recently featured in the Boston Sun! We are so grateful for the afternoon with the Sphinx Virtuosi and we look forward to future collaborative opportunities!
