Notes from Civic Music Association

Please visit the new Civic Music Association Website and Blog!

2011-07-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Please click on the link below to view news updates and blogs from the new Civic Music Association website.

http://civicmusic.org/news/

Belin Quartet Counts Off To 2011 Summer Season

2011-05-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

We are counting off to the beginning of our 2010 Belin Quartet season on this Friday, May 27^that Nollen Plaza (rain location in the Kirkwood Hotel Lobby). The quartet will start the season with a great work by Beethoven: Op. 59, no. 1. This extra special David and Connie Belin Memorial Concert will be an excellent start to the season and an opportunity to honor the great people who made this whole experience possible. I’m Devin van Holsteijn, and new to the office this year as the junior intern. Carrie, Sarah, and I have all been busy making sure everything is ready for this first concert – and doing a little spring cleaning.

We are booked for six performances at Nollen Plaza, and four performances at the Downtown Library this season. This year will be a trial as we track which area sees more traffic. Our goal is to reach as many people with our music as possible, so we plan to move towards the location that allows us to do that best. So, if you like to eat lunch and listen to the Belin Quartet, come out and support your favorite location! There will also be drawings for a pair of tickets to any Civic Music Association at each concert and a secret drawing on July 22^nd, which you can enter for throughout the season.

Highlight performances this year start with our pairing with local jazz musicians for a Jazz in July concert on July 19^th at the West Des Moines City Hall. The Quartet will also open for the Iowa Shakespeare Experience's Family Night on July 24^th at the Simon Estes Amphitheatre. Our final concert on July 29^th is also our Children’s Concert, and is one of the biggest (and most energetic) events of the season. This year’s theme is: “One World, Many Stories.”

I’m really looking forward to the 2011 season, and hope to see all of you either at Nollen Plaza of the Library Lawn as the Quartet begins its 12^th year of making memories. More information on the Quartet and our upcoming dates can be found at www.civicmusic.org.

Wycliffe Gordon Quartet

2011-04-19T09:30:00.000-07:00


Wycliffe Gordon plays side-by-side a Drake University Jazz Ensemble

Civic Music Association concluded its 2010/11 Season on Friday, April 8 with the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet. In addition to the concert, Wycliffe presented a FREE Master Class and Workshop the evening before in the beautiful Turner Jazz Center on Drake University's campus.

It was amazing to watch Wycliffe work with students from Drake University and also one brave middle school student from the audience. He presented information with such grace and demonstrated all of his recommended techniques to the amazement of everyone present. Perhaps a favorite moment for participating Drake students was when Wycliffe asked if he could join them for dinner at Jethro's!

The excitement continued at the concert on Friday evening with a near sold out crowd! We hosted several students taking advantage of our great $5.00 rush and a fabulous evening was had by all. It is hard to believe we are done with the 2010/11 Season and already busy preparing for 2011/12. I hope you will join us as a subscriber/member for next season. It is going to be another year of MAKING MEMORIES!

Preservation Hall Jazz Band - September 23, 2011

Emerson Quartet - October 14, 2011

Oasis Quartet - November 12, 2011

Karrin Allyson - January 21, 2012

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center - February 25, 2011

Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band - April 7, 2012

Click Here to Purchase a Season Subscription/Membership

Cantus

2011-03-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

Civic Music Association's 2010/11 Season continued on March 12 with a performance by male a cappella group, Cantus. On Wednesday, March 9, the men came to Des Moines to conduct a Partners in Music Education program at Hoover High School and tape some television and radio appearances. The workshop at Hoover was extremely successful and inspiring to watch! First, the Hoover High School choir performed a selection they have been working on to take to state solo & ensemble contest. The group sounded great, and I was anxious to see what the men of Cantus were going to do with the choir.

During the hour, each member of Cantus took turns working with the group on everything from breathing to communicating as an ensemble while singing. At one point, the group was standing in a circle marching in time while they sang! It was amazing to see the choir practice the advice from Cantus and then hear the finished results. Good luck at State Contest, Hoover!

The evening concert was a huge success with an almost sold out crowd. Prior to the concert, Civic Music Association hosted a Silent Auction with proceeds going towards our Partners in Music Education programs and concert programming. We made almost $5,000 -- this will help us keep providing music education programs like the one at Hoover for FREE!

Thank you to Cantus for an excellent concert! If you were not able to join us, I encourage you to check this group out...they are amazing!

Chris Potter's Underground

2011-01-26T13:36:00.000-08:00

Chris Potter sits in with a Drake University Jazz Ensemble

On Friday, January 21 Civic Music Association hosted Chris Potter's Underground for a Partners in Music Education program and evening concert. First, I would like to thank Chris Potter and his band for stepping in on short notice. We were very sad when we learned our regularly scheduled program featuring the Dave Holland Quintet had to be canceled due to a family emergency. However, Chris Potter's Underground certainly held up to our tradition of presenting world-class musical experiences and was a wonderful last minute addition to our concert season.

As always, I had the pleasure of picking up the artists at the airport when they arrived in Des Moines. It was great to chat with the group and learn about their previous impressions and experiences in our community. The bass player, Fima Ephron, said he had played in Des Moines a couple of years ago with another group....but only about 20 people showed up! I promised him we would have more of a welcoming audience and we sure did!

Chris Potter discusses technique with a student saxophone player

Our first event was a Partners in Music Education Program with Chris Potter at the NEW Turner Jazz Center on the campus of Drake University. What a gem for Des Moines and Drake! This state of the art facility has a great stage, cafe style seating and a beautiful view of the campus. During the workshop, Chris Potter spoke about his experiences as a jazz musician with about 50 college students from Drake, Iowa State University, Iowa University and UNI. I think the most learning took place when Chris sat in with a couple of jazz ensembles. It was fun to see the look of excitement in the young musician's eyes as they played side-by-side a jazz master!

All of this enthusiasm translated to the evening concert as Civic Music Association sold a RECORD NUMBER of student rush tickets! I was thrilled to be presenting such a favorite of young musicians and was delighted to hear how much our subscribers and other ticket buyers also loved the concert. Another great evening at Civic Music!

I hope you will join us at our next concert featuring male a cappella group Cantus! Check out the video below of this fabulous vocal group! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling us at 515.280.4020 or visit Midwestix. See you at the concert!

Boston Brass and Brass All-Stars Big Band Holiday Concert Presentation

2010-11-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

We are about to be half way through our 2010/11 season and we hope this concert will be the best yet! The holidays are approaching, so if you're looking for a great way to get into the holiday spirit, please join us for our upcoming concert the Boston Brass & Brass All-Stars Big Band "Christmas Bells are Swinging" Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 7:30pm, at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium. Click here for a sample of the exciting Boston Brass Big Band

A FREE Family Holiday event will take place in Levitt Hall, Drake University from 6pm-7pm featuring holiday activities, refreshments, and a visit from Santa Claus.

This concert is sponsored by EMC Insurance Companies.

For nearly 25 years the Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience. From exciting classical arrangements, to burning jazz standards, and the best of the original brass quintet repertoire, Boston Brass treats audiences to a unique brand of entertainment, which captivates all ages.

Boston Brass has two holiday recordings, Christmas Bells are Swingin', and The Stan Kenton Christmas Carols, featuring the Boston Brass All-Stars Big Band playing the truly phenomenal charts made popular by the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Boston Brass tours a vibrant holiday show each year featuring many of the charts from these two albums, combined with a variety of solo and combo selections and some fun surprises, which has quickly established the show as a perennial audience favorite. The ensemble of all brass (trumpets, French horns, trombones, and tubas with jazz rhythm section) features fiery big band arrangements of classics like the Stan Kenton Christmas Carols, Greensleeves, and Motown Jingle Bells in a setting that will delight audiences of all ages.

On Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium the Boston Brass will present a workshop for our Partners in Music Education Program on the importance of practice, goal setting, and overcoming nerves in a performance setting. In addition, the Boston Brass will explore the theory of "time plus effort equals progress." This workshop is free and open to the public.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting Midwestix at www.midwestix.com, contacting the Civic Music Association office 515.280.4020, or visiting the Civic Music Association box office located at 1620 Pleasant Street, Suite 244 in Sherman Hills. Tickets range from $15-$45 with special student prices in all sections. In addition, students may purchase any available ticket on-hour prior to the concert for $5 (with valid student ID).

We hope to see everyone at this fantastic holiday presentation!

We need you! - Civic Music Association's Annual Fund Campaign

2010-10-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Civic Music Association is in the middle of our Annual Fund Campaign. We hope you will consider donating to our organization and help keep world-class concerts and free music education programs for our community.

Affordable and Accessible Concerts
The Civic Music Association is committed to bringing affordable world-class musical performances to Des Moines. With an average ticket price of $25-30 ($15 for students) for performances in Drake's intimate Sheslow Auditorium by highly acclaimed artists such as Esperanza Spalding and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, CMA is fulfilling its mission.

Attracting world-class talent to Des Moines costs CMA more than the revenue generated from ticket sales. To maintain these extremely affordable concert ticket prices, CMA relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations who share a love of the arts, a passion for the Des Moines community, and a desire to keep concert tickets affordable so as many people as possible can enjoy CMA performances.

Partners in Music Education
Beyond world-class concerts, CMAs mission includes a commitment to provide free music education programs to needy schools and community organizations. All events are open to the public. Guest artists are contracted to conduct these educational events in the community in addition to their concerts. As you can probably guess, while students and underserved groups enjoy these educational programs for free, they are not free at all and CMA works tirelessly to find funding to ensure the education component of its mission is fulfilled each year.

Without individual contributions, we simply could not exist. Ticket sales cover only 30% of our annual expenses associated with our concerts and music education programs. The additional 70% must come from individuals and corporate partners.

Please make a financial gift to CMA to help keep concert tickets affordable and education programs available.

Gifts can be sent to:

Civic Music Association

1620 Pleasant Street, Suite 244

Des Moines, IA 50314

or call 515-280-4020

PS - Do you want to meet jazz great Dave Holland while enjoying fabulous food & wine at Lucca in the East Village? Make a donation to Civic Music Association and you will receive an invitation to our Donor Appreciation Reception scheduled for Friday, January 21. Guests will be able to mingle with Dave Holland while enjoying food and wine at Lucca's in the East Village. Make your donation today!

Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet

2010-10-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

Two concerts down, four more to go! It is hard to believe we have already presented two of our six concerts during the 2010/11 Concert Season, but I guess it is also a little hard to imagine how close we are to the holiday season. On October 1, Civic Music Association presented the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet and according to many of our loyal patrons, this was the best concert they have seen in years! I would have to agree. From amazement to joy to complete wonder and excitement, this group provided an evening of WORLD CLASS music.
I still am not sure how the french horn player was able to demonstrate such control of his instrument or how the group was able to master such wonderful musical balance.

A student player talks about her performance with a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet

In addition to the performance, the group presented a master class & workshop at Iowa Public Television's Maytag Auditorium the morning of the concert as part of Civic Music Association's Partners in Music Education series. IPTV filmed the event as part of their new "Music Masters" series scheduled to air later this year and be available online. It was pretty exciting to be a part of a television taping, and I know it was a great experience for all of the students involved. Thank you to Robert McConnell, Music Director from the Southeast Iowa Symphony for hosting and serving as moderator for the event!

Two ensembles were able to play for the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet including a group from Drake University and a trio from Hoover High School. After performing a few selections, members of the Quintet took turns coaching the groups and offering advice on performance techniques and working together as an ensemble. As always, I was able to learn just as much as an observer.

Remember, all of our Partners in Music Education events are free and open to the public. For a list of future events click here.

As I said above, the holidays will be here soon! I can't think of a better way to kick off the holiday season than with tickets to our first ever holiday show featuring the Boston Brass & Brass All Stars Big Band "Christmas Bells are Swinging' program. Click here for tickets and we will see you at the show. We will also be hosting a FREE family event that evening beginning at 6 pm in Levitt Hall, Drake University. Holiday themed games and activities, music, refreshments and a visit from Santa will all be part of the fun. Join us!

Opening Night Featuring Esperanza Spalding

2010-09-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

Civic Music Association opened its 2010/11 Season with a near sold-out concert featuring Esperanza Spalding. We were extremely proud to bring such a widely recognized talent to Des Moines and feature her as our season opener. Since booking her last year, Esperanza Spalding has been featured in "O" Magazine, Glamour Magazine and on the cover of Downbeat Magazine.

The concert featured tracks from Esperanza's new album "Chamber Music Society" and included an eight piece band including piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, backup vocals and Esperanza on bass/vocals. In my tenure at Civic Music Association, I have never seen so much equipment on the stage of Sheslow Auditorium!

The audience experienced almost a dramatic play as Esperanza quietly walked on stage, took off her hat and coat and poured herself a glass of wine. The concert also ended on a dramatic note as she put her coat and hat back on, took another sip of wine and headed off stage. She returned to announce the names of her band, but otherwise kept pretty quite during the entire 90 minute set.

Our production day was very busy with making sure the stage was just right and getting all the sound equipment loaded in. In addition, we had to borrow percussion instruments, an electric keyboard, and Drake student, Ben Morgerson was nice enough to let Esperanza play his bass for the evening!

Our evening was concluded with a Post Concert Reception in Levitt Hall with free food, open bar and a post-concert performance by local talent, Roxi Copland. Roxi also provided the pre-concert talk prior to the concert. Thanks Roxi!

I hope you will join us for one of our upcoming concerts!

Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Friday, October 1, 2010 - 7:30 pm
Drake University - Sheslow Auditorium
Pre-concert talk at 6:45 pm with Dr. Eric Saylor, Professor of Music History, Drake University
Tickets - www.midwestix.com or 515-280-4020

2010-07-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, July 25 as the Belin Quartet was featured in the 2010 Jazz in July Concert Series. We had a great time and could not have asked for a more perfect evening on the steps of the state capitol. A special thanks to John Morgan, Pete Simonson, Steve Charlson, and guest percussionist John Kizilermut for a night of music that I will not soon forget. I walked away humming the melody from John's arrangement of 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing).' Other highlights were the perfect strings on the arrangement of 'Over the Rainbow,' and always a favorite 'Tequila!'

The Belin Quartet, in conjunction with Civic Music Association, will present their tenth and final concert in their summer series on Friday, July 30th at 10:30 am on the Downtown Library Lawn.

This week's concert is themed "Splish, Splash, Strings!" and will feature Janice Baker. Assistant Professor of Dance at Iowa State University, leading dances for the children accompanied by the Belin Quartet. In addition to the concert, bird water whistles will be handed out, the Des Moines Symphony Academy will host an "instrument petting zoo," and Blue Bunny ice cream treats will be provided to all who attend the concert.

The Belin Quartet consists of alternating violinists Julie Fox Henson, John Helmich, Tracy Engman Finkelshteyn, violist Sherida Josephson, and cellist George Work.

I hope to see everyone at our final concert, and thank everyone that has made this season a successful one.

Jason Link - 2010 Belin Quartet Manager

Belin Quartet continues 2010 Summer Season

2010-06-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

We are nearing the halfway mark of our 2010 Belin Quartet season. We have had a wonderful time with a season fortunate to have had near perfect weather, and great speakers such as Michael Morian from the Des Moines Register and Brian Waller with the Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce. The Quartet has treated us to music from Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, and more. Nollen Plaza and the Downtown Des Moines Library are continuing to be great venues for our 2010 season.

We are looking forward to four more dates at Nollen Plaza, and two more dates at the Downtown Library finishing with our Children's Concert on the Library Lawn. This year's Children's Concert is themed "Splish, Splash, Strings!" This performance is always a favorite and will include fun activities for children, an "Instrument Petting Zoo" provided by the Des Moines Symphony Academy, along with complimentary ice-cream and a water themed toy. This Friday you will have the opportunity to vote on some of your favorite works by composers such as Gershwin, Vivaldi, and more. These will then be performed for our "Classical Favorites" concert at Nollen Plaza on July 2nd.

Other highlights include a performance at Simon Estes Amphitheatre on July 19th opening for the Iowa Shakespeare Experience's Family Night performance, and our pairing with local jazz musicians for our Jazz in July concert. The Jazz in July concert will be held on the Capitol Building Lawn on July 25th.

It has been a treat to see and chat with everyone that has come out for out 2010 season, and hope to see everyone at our upcoming dates. More information on the Quartet and our upcoming dates can be found at www.civicmusic.org.

Thoughts on the 85th Anniversary Season

2010-04-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday night we concluded the 85th Anniversary Season with jazz singer Jackie Ryan. I honestly can't believe the Season is over and it is time to get ready for the 10/11 Season! It is always fun to reflect on the past season and think about my favorite memories. Here are a few to share:

--Having lunch at A Dong with Mark O'Connor and feeling completely star struck! He even asked my opinion on issues he was working on for his new string methods books. I was flattered and humbled to be discussing music education with such a famous musician and educator.

--Our Donor Appreciation Reception following the Kurt Elling concert at Lucca was a blast! At one point, Kurt Elling and his bassist were sitting in with the local piano player. It was also a great way to thank our donors while enjoying great food!

--Besides being a SOLD OUT concert the Vienna Boys Choir concert was amazing! I will never forget the group pulling up to Sheslow Auditorium on the tour bus and marching off in a straight line in matching coats and hats. Adorable and professional!

--The 85th Anniversary Gala was a HUGE hit! Thank you to Down to Details for their beautiful decorations and party planning. It was also wonderful to have music by Roxi Copland and the Belin Quartet prior to the evening's concert featuring the Russell Malone Quartet.

--The Poulenc Trio agreed to do two Partners in Music Education Programs in conjunction with their concert. The first was a workshop at East High School followed by a Master Class at Drake University. They were excellent with the students and it was fabulous to see so many at the concert that evening. Also, thank you to Alba for hosting a dinner for the Trio after the concert.

--Jackie Ryan was a delight! The highlight of this concert was my OWN personal concert at Hoover High School as Jackie and her accompanist rehearsed with local jazz musicians Steve Charlson and Jim Eklof. It is still hard to believe how little they needed to rehearse to create something so great! After the rehearsal, the group conducted a workshop for over 100 Hoover High School students. Jackie even had a student sing with her! After the workshop, the student approached Jackie and said, "This has been the greatest day of my life."

How do you top that?

Thank you to everyone who made the 85th Anniversary Season a success! I look forward to seeing you this summer at our FREE Belin Quartet Summer Series concerts and in September when we open the 10/11 Season with Esperanza Spalding.

2010/11 Season

2010-02-16T11:52:00.000-08:00

Civic Music Association is pleased to announce its 2010/11 Season!
Season subscriptions and memberships are now on sale and available here.
Single tickets to each performance will not go on sale until August, so if you want to save money and get better seats, subscribe!

Esperanza Spalding
Saturday, September 18, 2010

Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Friday, October 1, 2010

Boston Brass & Brass All Stars Big Band
"Christmas Bells are Swinging"
Saturday, December 4, 2010

Dave Holland Quintet
Saturday, January 22, 2011

Cantus
Saturday, March 12, 2011

Wycliffe Gordon Quartet
Friday, April 8, 2011

This is truly a season you will not want to miss! I am especially excited for our opening concert featuring Esperanza Spalding. She is the "it" girl in the jazz world with recent performances at Austin City Limits and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

We still have two concerts left in the 85th Anniversary Season:

The Poulenc Trio
Friday, February 26

Jackie Ryan
Saturday, April 17

Join us!

Anniversary Gala

2009-12-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Do you know how long Civic Music Association has been bringing world class musical experiences to the greater Des Moines area? 85 YEARS! Yes, 85. What is even more amazing is the caliber of artists we have hosted over the years. Joshua Bell, Isaac Stern, Marian Anderson, Sergei Rachmaninoff and jazz greats such as John Pizzarelli, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves and Chick Corea. WOW!

Now it is time to celebrate! On January 23, 2010 Civic Music will be hosting an Anniversary Gala in conjunction with our concert featuring the Russell Malone Quartet. This exciting evening will include:

Cocktails and Silent Auction with music by Roxi Copland

Dinner ON STAGE at the Harmon Fine Arts Center featuring a concert by the Belin Quartet

Russell Malone Quartet in concert at Sheslow Auditorium (tickets sold separately)

Post Concert "Meet the Artist" Reception featuring music by the Andrew Kem Quartet

Can you believe you can get a night of such fabulous music, food and drinks for only $85?

I hope you will join us for this wonderful evening of celebrating jazz and classical music in Des Moines. Tickets can be purchased online at www.civicmusic.org

Happy Holidays!

Vienna Boys Choir comes to Des Moines!

2009-11-10T12:38:00.001-08:00

This Friday, Civic Music Association will welcome the famed Vienna Boys Choir to Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium. We only have about 100 seats left for the show! This will be a new experience for me as I welcome a larger group, and a group comprised of all children to our concert series.

There will be no airport pick up, no car transportation, and certainly no wine gift baskets to deliver to the Savery Hotel! However, new things to consider include hiring campus security and having enough milk and cookies backstage for the boys! This is what I love about my job...new challenges and adventures every day!

Having participated in many choirs throughout my life, I am extremely excited for this concert. Highlights for me are going to be the Laudate Dominum by Mozart and the second half of the concert which will feature "Songs from Around the World."

Also, join us in Levitt Hall (upstairs at Sheslow Auditorium) for a pre-concert performance by the Iowa Youth Chorus. This performance is free and will feature two of the organization's choirs.

Still need tickets? Visit www.iowatix.com

Merle's Perspective

2009-10-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Being a third-year student at Drake, I was beginning to get antsy, and wanting my studies to somehow transcend the classroom. I was at Mars Café, celebrating the release of my friend’s new book. The book was a personal, in depth look at the community of Des Moines, and many people from the community had come to meet the creators, two twenty-something year olds who live in the Drake neighborhood.

I was not surprised to see an old friend and Drake professor had shown up; she too was passionate about the community and eager to find out what creative projects were happening right here in town. She too had a creative project up her sleeve. Three months later, my internship at Civic Music Association is the product of her out-of-the-box thinking.

At the coffee shop she told me about a class she was creating, called Service Writing, in which students would be deployed to non-for-profit organizations all around Iowa. They would spend a few months learning about the agency and serving them in various ways. The idea was born out of the common frustration within the university: “anything I write here is simply read by a professor, given a letter grade and then disappears into the abyss of forgotten college papers."

But so many times I had spent hours writing papers about topics I really cared about, and wanted others to care about too. I was changed through the process of writing them, and I thought others could be changed as well. This professor’s class answered my cry, being formed around the goal of student’s writing having a positive impact on a wider audience: the community of Iowa.

I grew up on a rich array of classical, folk and choral music. The music culture watered down throughout my high school years, but when I moved to Des Moines I was hungry to discover what musical treasures the city had to offer. I joined the Drake choir, and fell in love with the brilliantly passionate director, Aimee Beckham-Collier. Due to a busy homework schedule I had to quit choir and forget music for awhile, until a couple of my friends, energetically attempting to return to and recreate the richness of orchestral music from years past, came out with, not yet another rock garage-band album, but an impressive score of orchestral music, layers of instruments, chock full of cultural messages and inspiring, since the two had been born and raised in the small rural Iowa town of Van Meter. Listening to this composition, I was inspired to return to my quest for civic music in Des Moines, and see what other types of projects and performances were taking place.

At Drake, my professor called off the list of NFP organizations that were offering internships to our class. “The Chrysalis Foundation, the Iowa Afterschool Alliance, Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Civic Music Association.” Civic Music Association sparked my interest, and I quickly requested the internship. A few weeks later I walked through Sherman Hill, into the CMA office and met CMA director, Carrie Clogg. I found out that CMA had brought jazz star Kurt Elling in to town, and in my first week of interning, I was able to attend his concert.

Being at the concert showed me what a small world Des Moines really is, how much like home it is, even though I’ve only been here three years. So many pieces of my three years here came together, as CMA’s concert brought the community together around the amazing voice of Mr. Elling. As usual, the concert was held at Sheslow auditorium on the Drake University campus, which I was more than familiar with, since I used to have choir practice, and perform for huge crowds in the Drake Choir. On this Friday night though, I got to be an usher, and I caught a glimpse of the musical community within Des Moines. I was surprised how many young people came to the concert, and was happy to see that there were young people who appreciated creative, quality musical performances. I took the tickets and directed guests to their seats, and waited for the show to begin. From up in the balcony, I overheard the “pre-concert talk”, which was given by Linda Roth, a vocal jazz professor at Southwest Community College in Iowa. She engaged the audience with questions about their background in jazz music, and explained interesting facts about the unique musical style of vocal jazz. She described some of the specific qualities of Kurt Elling to watch for during the concert and described his mastering of “vocalese”.

Next, from up in the balcony I heard Kurt Elling being introduced, and stuck my head in the door to see him enter. First his pianist, drummer and bassist entered the stage, the pianist with dark sunglasses hinting that we were in for some serious jazz. And sure enough, when Kurt Elling took the stage, he stood up to the mic and the first words out of his mouth were the beginning of his first song. I was stunned by his voice. It started out slow and quiet, and then grew in volume and the beat picked up. It was impossible not to tap along with the perfect rhythm of the bass, piano and drums; their players glancing at each other to stay in syncopation. The pianist took off on an incredible solo at which his entire body was swept up with his hands that lit the crowd on fire. Yet still, the smooth baritone voice of Kurt Elling was the biggest surprise to me; I had never heard a voice so surreal.

Anniversary season. Unfortunately, due to Drake’s homecoming event the same night, I was unable to attend the festivities at auditorium, I noticed a sign on a table with that read Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure. Two big pots of the best coffee in town were there as a customary donation to Later, a Donor Appreciation Reception was held at Lucca in the East Village. The celebration thanked everyone who made a donation to the Civic Music Association during their 85thLucca, but had to leave early. On my way out of SheslowCMA’s concert. Another piece of my life, my friends at the coffee shop, fit into this community gathering. I smiled as I walked out into the cold night air, realizing that I was part of a rich society of generosity, creative culture and a desire for good art. I smiled realizing what a small world Des Moines is. My first job in Des Moines was barista at Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure, and it felt good to know that I was a part of the community; it felt good to know that all these parts of the community could come together over music, brought to us by Civic Music Association.

--Merle Domer, Civic Music Association Intern

Mark O'Connor Workshop

2009-09-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Mark O'Connor presented a free workshop at Valley High School on September 18 in conjunction with Civic Music Association's Partners in Music Education Program. As with all of our workshops, masterclasses, and in-school performances, I found myself learning a lot of new things from listening to a master. It was incredible to witness Mark O'Connor talk about his journey as a musician and learn about his various inspirations and techniques. I found myself holding my breath when he would play due to amazement!

Equally as exciting for me was having lunch with Mark after the workshop. I took him to one of my local favorites, A Dong, as I knew he was a fellow vegetarian. Over our 16C & 3C specialties, we discussed the importance of music education and he even showed me a draft of his new fiddle method book! I was extremely humbled when he asked my opinion on a couple of things knowing my background was in music education. Never in a million years would I ever imagine sitting at one of my favorite restaurants chatting with one of my favorite musicians. I love my job!

On to the next concert!

Kurt Elling
Friday, October 9
7:30 pm
Sheslow Auditorium
www.iowatix.com

Mark O'Connor Hits the Stage Tomorrow!

2009-09-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Mark O'Connor hits the Civic Music Association stage tomorrow night, and I could not be more excited! A lot of people ask me, "What artist are you most excited about in your season?" While all our artists in the 85th Anniversary Season are wonderful, I am especially thrilled to be hosting Mark O'Connor. I have enjoyed his music for many years and admire his dedication to music education. Check out Mr. O'Connor in action...

Workshop with Mark O'Connor
Valley High School
September 18, 2009 @ 10:45 am
This event is free and open to the public!

Tonight I get the pleasure of picking up Mr. O'Connor at the airport. This is probably one of the coolest parts of my job. I am always interested to note the different personalities of our guest artists and converse with them in transport to the hotel. Want to meet Mark O'Connor too?

Meet the Artist Reception
Immediately following tomorrow night's concert
Levitt Hall
Sponsored by KRNT Radio
$10 - Includes appetizers, wine and post concert music!
CMA Members: FREE!

Still need tickets? Visit iowatix.com or call 515-280-4020.

See you tomorrow night!

Single Tickets Now on Sale!

2009-08-05T13:28:00.001-07:00

Single tickets are now on sale for all concerts in the 85th Anniversary Season! As always, ticket prices are incredibly affordable. All adult tickets are just $35 and student tickets are $15. We also feature a student rush for $7 one-hour prior to all concerts--this is cheaper than a movie!

Join us for a concert this season as we celebrate our 85th Anniversary!

Pictures from Lite Listener Lunch and Jazz in July

2009-07-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

John Morgan and the Belin Quartet warm up before Jazz in July

Downtown Library Lawn - Jazz in July

Lite Listener Lunch - Nollen Plaza

Jazz in July

2009-07-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

This week’s Jazz in July performance was an awesome blend of the sweet, yet mellow, sounds of the Quartet paired along with the jazz club styled John Morgan on saxophone, Steve Charleson on Bass, and Pete Simonson on percussion. John Morgan arranged the music, a conversion of classic jazz tunes with the strings that reminds you musicians are not divided by genres. They were simply there to play together and make great music. Each musician’s style shown through, and I think everyone really enjoyed it; I know I did.

On a personal note I’d like to thank everyone for enduring my first experience with public speaking. For those of you who missed it, it was a disaster, at least in my mind. I’d like to thank all of you who comforted me in saying it wasn’t that bad, that it was a learning experience, and it can only get better from here. I can now look back with a smile on my face.

I hope to see all of you that came out during the summer for our last performance this Friday for our final performance of the 2009 concert series the library lawn. This is our “Animals Allegro” Children’s Concert, complete with an “instrument petting zoo”, ice cream treats, dancing, and much more. I’m looking forward to it. Bring out the little ones and have a great time with us.

Looking forward to seeing you all there,
Jason Link
Junior Intern for the Belin Quartet

CMA Hits the Juice!

2009-07-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Civic Music Association's own 1st Vice President was featured in this week's Juice. Click here to read the entire article. I would have to agree...We are definitely Des Moines best kept secret!

In other news, I have spent the last week printing our Season Tickets for the 85th Anniversary Season.

Here are some awesome numbers I would like to share:

New Subscribers: 51
Total Households with Subscriptions: 190 - UP from 164 last year!
Total Subscriptions sold: 340 - UP from 300 last year!

These numbers tell me a couple of different things. 1) People are excited about our programming for the 85th Anniversary Season. CHECK IT OUT 2) The increases made to our marketing budget have paid off. 3) People are spreading the word and we are becoming one of Des Moines best deals in arts entertainment.

Are you waiting until August 1 to buy a single ticket to a show? You might want to reconsider. Almost the entire center section of the main floor is sold out and the side sections are going fast. If you subscribe before single tickets go on sale, you can still snatch up some good seats. Not that Sheslow really has a BAD seat!

In addition to your subscription, CMA Memberships are available for only $50 (includes two adults) Membership Benefits include:

Priority Seating
Free Valet Parking at all Concerts
30% off Artist CD's at all Concerts
Season Preview CD
Downtown/Drake/East Village Merchant Discounts
Free admission to ALL "Meet the Artist" Receptions in the 09/10 Season

Fridays at Nollen Plaza

2009-06-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

This past Friday was another a beautiful day in the plaza. The entire cast of the Belin ensemble was there to play Brahms’ Quintet Op. 88.

Phillis Fair and Mac Danielson are two retirees from the Des Moines area who enjoy their Friday afternoons in Nollen plaza. “[We’ve] been coming for years and really enjoy it,” Fair said. “It’s our date day, we come down every Friday and don’t make any other plans.”

I notice people down for the performances young and old, it’s a great thing to see the variety of people that come out to take in the music and maybe have some lunch. I would invite anyone I know to come down. If you’re ever looking to catch up with an old friend, or want to hang out with someone you don’t see enough join us for the lunch hour. We have umbrellas for shade and cushions to sit on at out information table. There is always a relaxing feel and plenty of room to spread out, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the music. I hope to see everyone I have met at the performances along with many more new faces for this Friday’s noon hour.

Jason Link, Belin Quartet Intern

Jason's View

2009-06-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

This past Friday was another beautiful day in the plaza. I had initially heard rain, but as the day bloomed it became the best day one could hope for. We arrived downtown to set up around 11:00. In the half hour or so it took us to get ready the crowd started to gather from inside the buildings or from wherever. The children were out to play this Friday as they got the legs wet in the clean water of the plaza.

Our guest was Sophia Ahmad of the Des Moines Register who introduced the Quartet and elaborated a little on the pieces chosen for the day. It was another great lunch hour for the plaza!

Prior to my internship with the Quartet I hadn't known of these free performances. Two shows in and I am loving the atmosphere and the great music. It is a great place filled with the music from the masters of yesteryear and the light chatter of the noon hour. The traffic still flows and the hustle and the bustle of downtown business still exists on Locust and beyond; but, inside the plaza it feels like a community coming together to get away for a moment, it's fantastic.

If you are looking for your new lunch spot or a place to take a date, check out the quartet: we'd love to have you.

Jason Link - 2009 Belin Quartet Intern

CMA Annual Meeting

2009-06-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Last night was the Annual Meeting for Civic Music Association. A big "thank you" to Proof for hosting us with wonderful food and wine!

It was a perfect evening filled with reflections from the 2008/09 Season and excitement for the 85th Anniversary Season. It was amazing to me how much we could celebrate when times have, quite frankly, been very tough.

The current economy has made it very difficult for us, especially in the area of fundraising. Corporations and individual donors are cutting back, or in some cases, not giving at all. Those cuts are very deep!

However, during the 2008/09 Season we had significant increases in subscriptions, memberships and single ticket sales. This tells me people still love what we are doing, and that is what is important!

I know this fiscal year is going to be just as difficult as last, but I am up for the challenge! I encourage you to support Civic Music Association in anyway you can. Buy a ticket to a concert, check out a free Belin Quartet concert, or give a donation. Any support helps and is appreciated.

Here we come 85th Anniversary Season! Time to celebrate great music in Des Moines!

Belin Quartet Kicks off the Season

2009-06-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

My name is Jason Link and I am the first year intern with the Belin Quartet for the 2009 season. Since I started two months ago I have enjoyed working with Calla Whipp, Carrie Clogg, and all of the others I have been fortunate to meet with. Being interviewed by Channel 13’s Patrick Dix, sending out press releases, and everything else has been really fun.

This past Friday was the first performance of the season and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The work we put into preparing for the season was well worth it. On Friday it was great to see everyone relaxing, and enjoying the entertainment. The weather could not have been any more perfect with the sun shining and a cool breeze cutting through the plaza. It was quite a diverse crowd: some with their family, some enjoying their noon-time break at the plaza with friends, and some simply taking in the music and the atmosphere.

I am looking forward to this Friday’s performance, and hope to see everyone that made it down to the last show again this week.

If anyone has questions or comments about the quartet or the Civic Music Association, please feel free to stop by the information table before, during, or after the performance. I would love to talk to you!

Belin Quartet Summer Season

2009-05-28T13:41:00.001-07:00

Come downtown to Nollen Plaza on Friday, May 29th, at 12:15, to hear the FREE David and Connie Belin Memorial Concert! The Belin Quartet will be commencing their 10th season with performances of Mozart’s K. 485 “The Hunt” and Mendelssohn’s Op. 44 no. 2.

The Belin Quartet has a lot to offer the Des Moines community. The ensemble performs a free concert each week, providing noon hour entertainment for all willing to sit outside and enjoy the weather and music.

After working with the group for over a year, I have come to love the relaxed atmosphere and good company that can be found at each concert. It is a rare opportunity to find great music at no charge, and the crowd is sure to enjoy the whole experience. I love watching people intermingle and unwind as the Belin Quartet performs each week.

If you can make it, I recommend a trip to Nollen Plaza on Friday at 12:15. It is a rewarding experience that you’ll be glad you had!

Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: 12:15 pm
Location: Nollen Plaza
Cost: FREE

See you at the Concert!
Calla Whipp, 2009 Belin Quartet Manager

Last Days at Civic Music

2009-04-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have seven days left as an intern at Civic Music Association. One of the great things about working at CMA is that every day is different, and I never know what I’ll be doing until I get to work. The majority of my days pass quickly, and this whole internship experience went by so fast.

Although this internship only lasted 4 months, I have learned so much in such a short time. I have learned something new everyday when I was here, which is extremely beneficial for someone that is graduating and going into the “real world.” Marketing is an important aspect of Civic Music Association and as a marketing major I have seen various aspects of marketing that I could have never learned from a textbook.

Watching Carrie get filmed during an interview with the Mayor and the Byron Stripling Quartet concert were some of the most memorable experiences at Civic Music. Being able to see everything that goes on before an interview was interesting to me. I was surprised to see how little preparation Carrie needed before the interview and how well she did while being interviewed.

The Byron Stripling Quartet was one of my favorite concerts I attended at Civic Music mainly because of Byron’s humor on stage as well as the music he played. Because of this internship, I have a new appreciation of jazz and classical music. The Meet the Artist Reception for John Pizzarelli, which was also my third day at Civic Music, was probably the most hectic experience during this internship. I felt so lost and completely overwhelmed!

I truly do believe that this internship is a great opportunity for anyone that has not had any real work experience, especially for someone that wants to be involved with a non-profit organization. I personally feel more confident looking for jobs after going through this internship experience.

Danijela Radocaj

Bye Bye 84th Season

2009-04-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am anxiously awaiting tonight's concert featuring the Georgia Guitar Quartet. We just printed all the tickets to sell at the door, and in a few minutes, we will start loading the CMA company car (my Honda CRV) with all the concert stuff. Then we head over to Drake's Sheslow Auditorium for load-in and set-up.

This morning, I had the pleasure of accompanying the Quartet to Hillis Elementary School. First of all, they are a very charming group. Young, hip, and great presenters! The 4th and 5th graders at Hillis had a great time and has tons of great questions. I am hoping to see a lot of them at the concert tonight.

Tonight closes our 84th Season. Thank you to all of the wonderful artists who shared their talents with us and all our subscribers, donors and members who make it possible. It has been a great second year for me, and I look forward to next season.

A Little Bit of Georgia in Des Moines!

2009-04-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Civic Music Association will present the Georgia Guitar Quartet in concert on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 pm in Sheslow Auditorium. If you are a fan of classical guitar, you are going to LOVE this concert. These four men from the America South truly bring a new and refreshing voice to classical guitar!

For me, this was a new adventure. If I am listening to acoustic guitar it is usually Tim Reynolds, Dave Matthews or someone like John Prine. However, after listening to the Quartet's newest CD "Mosaic" all week, I am hooked! From classical favorites from Ravel and Chopin to arrangements by Quartet Member, Jason Solomon, you will not be disappointed!

In other news, I can't believe this is the last concert of our 2008/09 Season!

Here are my favorite memories of each concert:

--Discussing music therapy with Regina Carter, and learning it is her biggest passion. She is an amazing woman and musician!

--Trying to pile four of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble artists AND their instruments in my jetta to transport them from the airport to the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. I think they were hanging out of my windows!

--Watching Andreas Klein coach Drake University piano students during his fabulous Master Class.

--Laughing in the car with John Pizzarelli and band as he did a stellar impression of singer Michael McDonald! I believe he had made up a song about a fellow band member's high electric bill in New York City.

--Seeing my old friend Byron Stripling and loving every minute of his concert and educational workshop at Roosevelt High School.

In a previous post, I discussed our Partners in Music Education Programs. Here is some information about the program scheduled for the Georgia Guitar Quartet. This program is generously sponsored by the Douglas Dixon Memorial Fund.

Date: Friday, April 17

Time: 10:00 am

Location: Hillis Elementary

The Georgia Guitar Quartet will present an interactive workshop for students at Hillis Elementary. All participating students will receive a discount ticket to the concert that evening.

Still need tickets? Click Here

See you at the concert!

Preparing for the 85th Anniversary Season

2009-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Things are busy at Civic Music Association as we prepare for the 85th Anniversary Season. So, where do we begin and what are the steps to producing a season of world-class music? Here is a general time line of all our hard work:

August - The CMA Programming Committee composed of members of our Board of Directors puts together a "wish list" of artists. This list includes artists you recommend to us, so if there is someone you are dying to see on our stage, let us know!

September - I attend the Arts Midwest Conference and meet with dozens of agents while sampling potential acts. While exhausting at times, this conference is a music lovers dream! Almost every minute is filled with musical samples of talent from around the world.

October - I narrow down our wish list based on our budget, artist availability and discussions from the Arts Midwest Conference. Once the list is shortened, the Programming Committee meets again to listen to samples, discuss artist fees and put together three or four possible seasons.

November - I am on the phone many hours a day! I must negotiate fees, discuss our education requirements (we ask that ALL artists included in our season conduct an education program for the community), and narrow down the list to our final season.

December - Contracts start to arrive. I carefully read every line of the document to make sure we are able to meet all of the artist's requirements including food requests, equipment rentals, and even what temperature the hall must be set at for the performance. I have not had any really funky requests unless you count the upcoming Vienna Boy's Choir's requirement for lots of milk and cookies!

January - The Season is set! The beginning of the month is difficult because we must keep quiet until our formal announcement is made at our January concert. In the meantime, I am busy putting together press packets and working with our designers on a new brochure. We also must determine our new Subscription, Membership and Single Ticket prices. I am happy to report we have another year of NO price increases. In fact, this year, you will see some price decreases in celebration of our anniversary. Click here to learn more!

February - After our season announcement we start taking subscription and membership orders while promoting the new season. Past subscribers can take advantage of our early bird prices while new subscribers have an even deeper discount. In thanks for all of their support, past subscribers will receive a bonus two tickets to any concert in the 2009/10 Season.

March - We will continue to promote our subscriptions and memberships and our brochure will be mailed to approximately 7000 people in the next couple of weeks.

The months before our first concert (September 18, 2009) will be filled with planning, promoting and celebrating what promises to be a fabulous 85th Anniversary Season!

As we look forward...who do you want to see in the 2010/11 Season?

Meet CMA's Spring Intern!

2009-03-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

My name is Danijela Radocaj, and I am an intern at Civic Music Association. I am currently a senior at the University of Iowa, and I am going to be receiving my BBA in Marketing in May of 2009. As a Marketing major this internship has introduced me to various marketing techniques and it has given me the experiences I’ll need for future jobs in the Marketing field. As an intern, my daily activates include helping Carrie in the office as well as tagging along with her to various meetings and presentations. I have been exposed to challenges that come along with running a non-profit organization and the work it takes to successfully run a non-profit organization.

With this said, the joy and rewards that a person experiences when working for a non-profit organization has opened my eyes to completely different career possibilities. I was always interested in non-profit organizations and it seemed more fitting for me to have a job where I am involved in something that is good for the community or the world in general. This internship has confirmed that assumption and I would love to have Carrie’s job!

Partners in Music Education

2009-03-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

The Belin Quartet performs an in-school workshop at the Downtown School

Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about arts education. I truly believe it is JUST as important to a child's education as any other subject including science, math or reading. It is not an extra or something we can cut when times get tough. Without a sound education in the arts, children are not able to reach their full potential as intelligent human beings.

Iowa is 46th in the nation in per capita funding for the arts. This is embarrassing and disappointing. Civic Music Association realizes we must do all we can to enrich our community through the arts. Each season when we contract our guest artists, an education/outreach event is included in the contract. A lot of artists enjoy offering Master Classes or in-school workshops. This allows the artist to work one-on-one with students often in front of an audience.

Byron Stripling works with the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band

Perhaps the most rewarding part of my job is to see the results of our Partners in Music Education Programs. Nothing pleases me more than to do an in-school program or Master Class the day of the concert and then see those same students AND their parents at the concert that evening! Civic Music Association helps make that possible by offering heavily discounted and/or free concert tickets to Partners in Music Education participants.

All of our Partners in Music Education Programs are free and open to the public. Please feel free to come observe and participate.

The Georgia Guitar Quartet will be doing an in-school performance/workshop on Friday, April 17 at 10:00 am at Hillis Elementary School.

John Pizzarelli plays side-by-side a Drake University Jazz Combo

Welcome to Notes from Civic Music Association

2009-03-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first post of Notes from Civic Music Association. I will be providing an inside look on the daily happenings at Civic Music Association and sharing information about our upcoming concerts and events. I hope you will join me in discussion and leave feedback.

I love meeting CMA patrons! At each concert I try to say hello to as many people as possible, but between managing our guest artists and all of our wonderful volunteers, it is quite difficult. For those of you I have not yet met, please allow me to tell you a little bit about myself.

I grew up in Indianola where I was introduced to my first love of the arts...opera! I remember very vividly Opera Iowa visiting my elementary school for a performance of "Sid the Serpent" where we got the chance to sing side-by-side the opera singers. Needless to say, I was hooked! I started singing and went on to major in Vocal Performance and Music Business at DePauw University.

During an internship with the New York City Opera, I was introduced to arts education. It was amazing to see lives being changed simply by experiencing and participating in the arts. It was then that I decided I wanted to blend my love of music with education.

My first professional position was with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City as the Assistant Director of Education followed by six years as the Director of Education for Opera Columbus.

About three years ago, my husband and I decided to return to Iowa (a return for me, a new beginning for him) to start a family. I decided to accept a position at Simpson College as the Director of Government and Foundation Support in order to sharpen my fundraising skills. I was beginning to realize I wanted to be an Executive Director of an arts organization, and knowing how to fund raise is a must!

My lucky day came along almost two years ago when I heard about the Executive Director position at Civic Music Association. What a gift it has been for me to be back in my home state bringing the arts and education to the community!

One of my biggest priorities is building community awareness of Civic Music Association. I honestly can't believe how many people do not know about this wonderful organization. I hope you have seen and/or heard us in the media recently as we doubled our marketing campaign this season.

Where do you NOT hear about us? I would love to hear your ideas on how to spread the word even more.