SPRINGFIELD—Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Music School of Springfield’s Perform-A-Thon show will go on — on the school’s website and Facebook page.
The virtual Perform-A-Thon will take place on the afternoon and evening of June 11.
The event will consist of CMSS student and alumni solo performances spanning levels from beginner to advanced on a variety of instruments including piano, cello, saxophone and euphonium. Performances also will include voice and family performances, ensembles and the CMSS Children’s Chorus of Springfield.
Videos will include the Youth Wind Ensemble of Springfield and String City Orchestra in performances took place before the pandemic. All videos will be streamed and hosted live from Focus Springfield’s studio by CMSS faculty and staff.
More than 100 performers are expected to participate.
This will be the music school’s first virtual Perform-a-Thon, though in its early years, it had a live a Perform-a-Thon.
Each year the CMSS Spring Gala raises more $60,000 for financial aid and the scholarship fund for the next school year. “This year, due to the pandemic we had to cancel the Spring Gala, but the need for our financial aid program remains,” explained Eileen M. McCaffery, executive director. “At the same time, our school year concludes in June, and our Robyn Newhouse Hall is normally filled with joyful recitals and culminating events. We decided to bring these two concepts together virtually with a school-wide perform-a-thon in support of financial aid.”
Community Music School of Springfield provides more than $100,000 in financial aid and scholarships each year. Its mission is to provide an equitable and inclusive center of excellence in music education that empowers individuals, inspires creative passion and promotes well-being in the greater community. It serves more than 2,000 students annually at its 127 State St. location and in community partnership programs.
To donate, go to communitymusicschool.com/donate.
The "Lifting Every Voice" school-wide virtual recital and Perform-a-Thon will take place on June 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. The live stream can be watched at communitymusicschool.com and facebook.com/CMSSpringfield.
For more information, visit the school’s website or Facebook page, or email ssimmons@communitymusicschool.com.