Starting Aug. 18, help MSU music in Detroit: Through Community Foundation matching gift challenge

Help MSU grab green for kids by taking part in the Community Foundation Challenge!

The Michigan State University College of Music is expanding its music education and music therapy offerings to children and youth in Detroit as part of a wider university effort to share faculty expertise and resources with the city's residents.

 
On Tuesday, August 18, beginning at 10:00 a.m., the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan will provide a match of $1 for every $2 gift made to MSU’s Community Music School-Detroit online at www.cfsem.org.
 
Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 to $10,000 per contributor or organization.
 
Please go to www.cfsem.org on August 18 at 10:00 a.m. to make a gift in support of CMS Detroit. Your support will help MSU bring music to Metro Detroit children, including those with financial need.
 
The college initiated Community Music School-Detroit in response to the community’s desire for enhanced music education and performance opportunities.
 
The programs are built on the knowledge that exposure to music dramatically enhances learning, life skills, cognitive development, social awareness and problem solving – all skills that are transferable and necessary in these changing economic times.  Most programs are based in MSU's new Detroit facility at 3408 Woodward Avenue (pictured above). CMS-Detroit offers a sliding fee scale.
 
Beginning in the fall of 2009, CMS-Detroit offerings include:
 
MSU Jazz – Urban youth, ages 11-19, will meet weekly for a total of 30 three-and-a-half hour sessions. College of Music jazz faculty and MSU student mentors will lead each session. Included will be a summer jazz camp held on the MSU campus.
 
Early childhood music education – Classes will be offered at CMS-Detroit as well as at child care and early education facilities.
 
Music composition – Classes will be held at YouthVille – a youth development center also on Woodward Avenue – for the first year and will expand into CMS-Detroit in year two. Students will learn about music composition and the use of digital media technology in the creative process.
 
New Horizons Band – Adult concert bands designed for music novices as well as advanced musicians will practice weekly at the Woodward Avenue building.
 
Music therapy – The Music Therapy Clinical Services program will serve clients of all ages, although most are expected to be special needs children and adolescents. In partnership with Creative Arts Therapies Inc., CMS-Detroit will offer music therapy to individuals and groups. 
 
For more information, visit www.cfsem.org or contact Amanda Darche, MSU Community Music School, at adarche@msu.edu or (517) 355-7661, ext. 16.