A major point that I tend to touch on in many of my posts is the importance of arts accessibility. Concert Music Outreach Collective (CMOC) is an organization that is actively working to promote that accessibility. In today’s post, we’ll be taking a look at this wonderful organization, learning more about its mission, its impact, and its goals moving forward. The founder, Allyson Cohen, was kind enough to answer a few questions about their work, so I’ll be including quotes from her about their work. It’s a well understood fact that concert music, especially classical concert music, has a terrible habit of leaving many underrepresented groups out of the conversation. This exclusion takes form in many ways, but the most clear are systemic barriers to access. There’s a lack of diversity on stage, from the composers that are selected to be programmed, to the musicians themselves. There’s entire groups of folks that don’t have access to this music - people in prisons and homeless shelters often never have the opportunity to hear classical music because of its extensive barriers. I think never having a chance to hear a violin, a cello, or even a piano is awful. It’s at this failure of traditional concert music that CMOC steps up to the plate. What is CMOC?“We perform at shelters, and prisons to share and teach our love of music to members of the community in need.” However, their tackling of this accessibility problem doesn’t end there. They also work to program pieces from underrepresented composers in their concerts as well - bringing the classical platform to new places and promoting voices that don’t often get a chance to speak from the stage. “This year we will also be launching a new commissioning project that will be open to BIPOC student composers. We will pick 5 works to premiere at our concerts and then to professionally record for the use of the student.” There’s more to accessibility than simply showing up to play a concert. CMOC tailors their concert experience to the audience they are approaching. While the traditional approach sees a silent audience quietly watching the performance with limited interaction with the musicians, CMOC takes a different stance. Concerts evolve from performances to communal discussions which bring down the unassailable divide between audience and musician. “Everyone in the room should feel that their voice and opinion is heard and respected, and we emphasize this democratic and communal feel at our events.” It’s this communal element of music that I feel is often missing from classical concerts, and it gets me so excited to see a group so passionate about changing that. The common trope of raising composers and musicians onto an unrelatable pedestal is just another barrier that CMOC is doing away with. Concerts offer an open door to connection by bringing personal stories, information about instruments, and sharing the artist's connection to the music. By encouraging comments and questions from their audiences, CMOC promotes a safe environment where the audience not only feels welcome, but that they are an integral part of the experience. Why Does This Help?“Many of our audience members do not feel respected or heard in this way in their day to day life, and they don’t have the option to experience this art form where the sky high ticket prices and the expected concert etiquette and attire make live performances inaccessible for most people.” This visibility on the concert stage can have a major impact on a person, especially for those who are used to having that denied from them. “We had one woman from the Delonis Homeless Shelter say that our performances made her want to live again, and we had another say that our concerts are the highlight of the month. We also have a woman who was able to find housing after living at the Delonis Shelter, yet she still comes back every month to hear us play. It is small but meaningful experiences like this that inspire the work that we do.” It's well acknowledged that music can offer us a place to express ourselves and connect to others, but it has a much deeper impact that becomes apparent for those who are not normally able access it. Allyson puts it best, “Music gives hope and comfort to those in need, and is a powerful mechanism for communication." The Future of CMOC“Our long-term vision is to collaborate with every prison and homeless shelter across Michigan, with plans to expand our reach nationwide. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every individual in these communities has the opportunity to experience world-class classical performances and engage with a vibrant cultural community, enriching their lives no matter where they are in the U.S.” The positive impact this organization could have on a larger scale is undeniable. The lack of access to arts in this country is a crisis. To see classical music, a section of the arts that is widely considered elitist and exclusive, brought around to be the tool for the change we need is so wonderful. As a classically trained musician myself, I am certain I’m not alone in saying that it's initiatives like this that help me to become proud of my training again. It inspires me to work toward those same goals in my own practice. Support CMOCThis future of accessible classical music is only attainable through the work of organizations like CMOC. Like many other organizations, they depend on fundraising to cover the cost of their operations. “First and foremost, financial donations—whether large or small—are crucial. Every contribution helps us expand our reach, bring classical performances to underserved communities, and sustain our programs.” You can send a donation to CMOC through this link here.
If you’re currently not in a position to contribute financially, consider sharing and spreading the word about CMOC and their mission. “By sharing our cause with their networks, artists can help us attract more supporters and resources, furthering our ability to make a difference.” Follow them on Instagram here: (@cmoutreachcollective). Stay tuned for an announcement of their upcoming season dates and projects! Additionally, CMOC is currently looking for volunteers to participate in the Ann Arbor Marathon on October 13th which they are a partner for. If you’d like to volunteer, work with them as a future artist, or admin volunteer, reach out to them here: [email protected] I personally can’t wait to see this organization grow and flourish, and I’m certain I’m not alone! I hope you’ll consider following and supporting their work. Until next time, thank you for reading, and happy jamming!
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AuthorSean Penzo is a composer, cellist, and writer currently based in Pittsburgh, PA Archives
October 2024
CategoriesHeader photo by Peter Kleinau on Unsplash
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