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Portland Cello Project mentors young cellists in “side-by-side” event - next in the series of Family Friday Concerts

What:    Portland Cello Project & cello students of the Portland Parks & Recreation’s Community Music Center perform in Family Fridays, a series of low-cost concerts for families.

Where:   Community Music Center, 3350 SE Francis Street, Portland, 97202

When:    Friday, February 10, 2012, at 7:15 pm.

Cost:    Free with suggested donation of $5.00 ($15 for a family of any size); tickets available at the door only.  Fresh popcorn, snacks, and refreshments are sold at the door for a minimal price.  NOTE: very limited seating, no reserved seats – doors open at 6:30; house opens at 6:50 pm.

More Info: Community Music Center: www.communitymusiccenter.org or 503-823-3177

Photo Opportunity: There is a special photo opportunity for the press to photograph/video the students rehearsing with the pros immediately before the show, on Friday, February 10 at 6:30 pm at the Community Music Center.

The popular cross-over group Portland Cello Project returns to the Community Music Center’s Family Friday Series on Friday, February 10, with 6 new members – ages 7 to 16.

PCP invited Community Music Center students to play with the band’s regulars on a piece by local composer Gideon Freudmann, entitled “Robin Hood Changes his Oil”.  The students will all sit side-by-side with the pros.

The idea for this mentoring partnership came from the last year’s appearance by the group at the Center.

“After their concert last year, a child in the audience came up to one of the performers and asked, ‘How old do you have to be to play in the Portland Cello Project?’”, recalls Gregory Dubay, Director of the Center.

The question got Doug Jenkins, PCP’s organizer, thinking.  “Doug said to us, ‘let’s have some CMC students play with us next time.’  We were thrilled, and now the students are all really excited”, says Dubay.

The 6 students were chosen from among the Center’s 50 school-age cello students by nominations from their teachers. The kids have been working on their parts at home and in lessons.  They will also have a coaching session with the composer and rehearsal with the Portland Cello Project.

Portland Cello Project – An “Indie Cello Orchestra”, the Portland Cello Project has a deep-rooted philosophy to build a stronger music community - a belief that collaboration is the cornerstone of independent musicianship. This philosophy has led them to collaborative performances with a veritable "who's who" list of Portland musicians, from The Dandy Warhols to Laura Gibson, Vagabond Opera, and Storm Large, as well as most of the members of the Decemberists.

PCP performances are unique and eclectic, as likely to mix a Salt N Pepa cover with Bach and follow the medley with something sublime by Arvo Pärt or WEINLAND.  For more about the Portland Cello Project, please visit their website: www.portlandcelloproject.com.

The Family Friday Series features popular local musicians and is proudly sponsored by Larkins Vacura, LLP,Trial Attorneys.  This particular concert was also made possible by the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition Community Cultural Participation Grant.  Concerts are run by volunteers, and all proceeds benefit scholarships and other programs at the Community Music Center (CMC).

Future Family Friday concerts in 2012:
March 2 - Portland Opera To Go
April 13 - Oregon Renaissance Band
May 11 - Ezra Weiss Quartet

The Community Music Center (CMC) is a Portland Parks & Recreation facility in partnership with an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that raises money to help subsidize tuition fees at the school.  It serves families across the Portland area and supports those with limited economic means by increasing access to music performances and educational opportunities.  Benefit concerts such as this one support a need-based scholarship fund that enables students to follow their dreams in music.  For more information, call 503-823-3177 or visit www.communitymusiccenter.org.