About

Our mission is to empower urban youth with skills for success through music, service and community.

 

CMC teaches all youth, regardless of background, skills for success through music-making in St. Paul's Frogtown, Eastside and North End neighborhoods, areas historically underresourced and struggling with poverty. We aim t​o:

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 help close the achievement gap through high-quality, holistic, intensive community music programs 

 demographically represent the communities we serve

 engage families and the greater  community across schools and cultures, through frequent community performances in the greater Twin Cities

As an organization, we are committed to working after school with St. Paul’s most disadvantaged youth and families, providing young people an equitable opportunity to experience rigorous community music-making and a safe, caring community where youth can freely express themselves. Considering many of our youth have challenging home lives, we also help to address systemic barriers to access including tuition waivers and scholarships, meals, transportation, and academic support.

We believe every young person, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to be in a safe and caring environment where they are free to express themselves. can define their future, and can change the world.

Our Vision

Our vision is that CMC is available and accessible to all young people, regardless of background.

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To be available and accessible to all youth with a commitment to musical excellence.

To be a community space exemplifying an inclusive, safe, welcoming environment for young people and families.

To live as examples of the life skills and characteristics that we seek to instill in our youth.

ComMUSICation

Email: info@commusicationmn.org

Phone: (651)253-0481

Address:

690 Jackson Street

St. Paul, MN 55130

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Our Community

2013

Now

Culturally diverse: 

Languages spoken: Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Thai & Vietnamese

Our youth speak 9 languages at home!

 

These children are surrounded by the effects of poverty:

  • Violence (Our young people said this was the biggest issue in their communities)

  • Drugs

  • Food insecurity (96% of our students are on free or reduced lunch)

  • Poor health care

  • Poor home environments

  • Poor access to enriching after-school programs

The Secret Sauce

  1. Respectful, supporting environment

  2. Positive, caring adults

  3. Community building

  4. Youth leadership roles

  5. Youth voice & choice

  6. Teamwork

  7. Process-based music-making activities that develop:

    1. Impulse control

    2. Socioemotional/character skills

    3. A sense of belonging

  8. Performance:

    1. Family engagement

    2. A sense of mastery

    3. Individual sense of achievement

    4. Celebration!

Impact

CMC students showed up to a 50% decrease in school behavior incidents.

​According to the Student Achievement Youth Outcomes (SAYO), 95% of students said CMC helped them to:

  • make new friends

  • feel better about themselves

  • have a positive, caring adult with them whom they could trust. 

 

85% said CMC has helped them to:

  • complete their homework

  • do better in school

  • try harder in school

 
 

Our History

INSPIRATION: EL SISTEMA

During the Sistema fellowship at New England Conservatory, Sara discovered her strong passion for choral excellence and realized the lack of diversity in the Minnesota choral landscape.

THE FIRST PROGRAMMING

ComMUSICation piloted programming in January of 2014 at St. Paul City School with the hiring of Founding Music Director Ryan LaBoy. ComMUSICation extended programming to a full school year, serving 5 schools.

2015 - PRESENT

ComMUSICation moved to the Mt. Airy Boys & Girls Club (BGC) and piloted Crescendo and a piano program, in addition to a youth leadership group.

 
 

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