About CMC
We amplify young voices and cultivate skills for success through equitable access to music, collaboration, and opportunity.
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 to:
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.
Check out our Logic Model!
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.
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
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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
Respectful, supporting environment
Positive, caring adults
Community building
Youth leadership roles
Youth voice & choice
Teamwork
Process-based music-making activities that develop impulse control, social-emotional and character skills, and a sense of belonging
Performances that foster family engagement, individual sense of achievement, and let youth celebrate!
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.
We Need Your Support Today!