News Posts List

Fall is Here!

Now taking registrations for preschool, youth, adult and senior activities, all starting the week of October 3.  See our online School Year 2016-17 Catalog* for classes & lessons, or download a PDF version  *online version best viewed in Google Chrome.

• Private Lesson Pre-Registration for the school year 2016-17 is OPEN  Info/forms.

• Courses visible online: now

• Catalog available online: now

• Group Class Registration: now

• Classes and lesson begin: week of October 3

• CMC is CLOSED 9/26 & 9/27 for staff training (PP&R-wide community center closure).

Poinsettia Sale 2016

THE "BUY PLANTS & GROW MUSICIANS" FUNDRAISER RETURNS!

This yearly event supports CMC’s scholarship program for music students in need. Reserve poinsettias now, and pick them up just in time for the holidays. All the plants are from one of Oregon’s best growers, and come in attractive foil wrap and handy protective plastic sleeve, ready for gifts or decorations. Order now online, by phone, or in person by Oct. 31. Pick-up: Nov. 29 - Dec. 3. EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL: order by October 22 and save $1.00 on 6.5" & 7.5" sizes!

Staff Changes

CMC acknowledges two teachers who have served the Center in additional capacities beyond class instruction. Jonathan Cheskin helped many students and families over the last six years as CMC’s instrument rental coordinator. He also worked very hard updating the instrument rental collection, improving the condition and usability of the equipment, and making more instruments available for rental.

Andrew Ehrlich (pictured with CMC faculty/chamber music coaches Heather Blackburn and Lucia Atkinson) was director of CMC’s youth chamber music program for a decade. Twice each year he sensitively auditioned every student and expertly place them in groups based on age, ability level, and more intangible areas such as temperament, then dug through the collected chamber works at CMC and other libraries to find just the right pieces for each ensemble. He provided assistance and feedback for programs, performances, and other issues that arose, collaborated with coaches, and recruited many local instructors as guest clinicians for master classes. Due to a consolidation of some administrative tasks performed by PP&R employees, the additional duties mentioned above are now assigned to office staff at CMC. Both Andrew and Jonathan will continue to teach at CMC, and Andrew remains in the chamber music program as a valued & collaborative coach. Thank you, Jonathan & Andrew!

LEADERS IN THE CMC OFFICE

Erik Velasquez and Ted Bryan are now a full-time part of the CMC staff. Erik has a Masters of Music degree in Cello Performance from the University of Texas in Arlington, where he was also a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Ted is a graduate of Reed College, musician, and 2nd generation CMC alumnus. Read more about Ted and Erik in our staff & faculty pages on our web site.

Milestones

Stephanie ("Stevie") Eubanks McDougal, 74, took her final bow on Aug. 29, 2016, in Portland. Stevie received her bachelor of fine arts in music performance from Stephens College (Columbia, Mo.) in 1962. In 1965, she moved to Portland and started a 38 year carrier in Oregon’s premier professional ensemble. In addition, she played in the West Coast Chamber Orchestra, and in retirement, she was delighted to play for the Newport (Oregon) Symphony. During her years in Oregon, Stevie taught dozens, if not hundreds, of cello students, both in her homes in Portland and Gleneden Beach, and at the Community Music Center in Portland for more than 30 years. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Lincoln City. For those not able to attend the event on Feb. 22, there will be an informal gathering at the Community Music Center (3350 SE Francis Street), on October 29th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Among the weddings involving CMC faculty this season is the union of Michelle Rahn (violin/viola) & Devin McCarthy, with ceremony in early October. Congratulations & best wishes for years of harmony together!

Water Test Notice

Dear Coommunity Music Center Customers,

Your safety is top priority at Portland Parks & Recreation. PP&R has been conducting testing for lead in drinking water at 20+ facilities this past summer.

CMC’s water has been tested for lead and we wanted to confirm that no test results show elevated lead levels.

On August 4, 2016, water samples at CMC were collected. The samples were analyzed at the Portland Water Bureau Laboratory. PP&R received results on August 17; they are posted at:

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/omf/71056

All water tested below the 20 parts per billion (ppb) threshold.

Consistent with guidance from the Portland Water Bureau and the Environmental Protection Agency, samples were taken from fixtures commonly used for drinking or cooking.

If you have any questions about the water test results, please contact Director.Abbate@portlandoregon.gov. To stay informed about water testing for lead at all PP&R and City of Portland facilities, please see this website: www.portlandoregon.gov/LeadInfo.

To learn more about the risk of lead exposure and simple steps you can take to reduce your family’s exposure to lead, visit www.leadline.org or

503-988-4000.