March 2018 News

March 2018 News 

This Month in Music For Everyone:

 

 

March 2018 E-Blast

 

Music For Everyone Invests Over $112,000 in instrument grants!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the awarding of $112,000 in grants to 51 different schools and community organizations. The majority of those grants will be used to purchase instruments. 2018 marks MFE’s the twelfth year of awarding grants. Since 2006, MFE has awarded over $860,000 through this program. We are particularly excited to announce that due to our efforts to “single source” the purchase of instruments, we were able to purchase the value of 112,000 in instruments for a significantly discounted rate. This is a great example of how we becoming more efficient, effective, and strategic with every dollar that we receive.  Stay tuned as we will be holding a HUGE grant give out event in the near future.  Back to the Top!

Keys for the City to Return for its 9th Season With a Special, Fonky, Fun Twist 

 

Keys for the City is Music For Everyone’s signature community building initiative. From mid-May through the end of September, between 12 and 15 fully designed and painted pianos will be placed throughout downtown Lancaster available for anyone to play 24/7. The objective of Keys is to provide access to music opportunities, foster creativity and build a sense of community and in the process, raise awareness and resources for local music education programs. The revenue raised through Keys is applied to MFE’s annual grant program to purchase instruments for schools and community arts groups.

Keys for the City is presented by: 

Back to the Top!

 

Want to Help Make Keys 2018 and our Keys for the City campaign a Success? Please consider becoming a sponsor. There are sponsorship opportunities available in price ranging from a piano sponsorship ($3,000), to a community piano sponsorship, to a C-Note Sponsorship ($100).  If interested, please contact John Gerdy.

And in the meantime, say it loud and say it proud: Lancaster, PA is the Street Piano Capital of the World. Spread the word!

 

MFE to Host the Sixth Annual “Lancaster Festival of Voices”

The Music For Everyone Lancaster Festival of Voices is an annual celebration of the vocal arts in Lancaster, PA. Lancaster is enjoying a renaissance as it emerges as a destination for artists of all genres. This renaissance has benefited the city both culturally and economically. The Lancaster Festival of Voices provides a supportive venue for singers of all ages, thus creating awareness of the voice as an instrument and bringing yet another genre of music to this musically thriving community.

 

This year MFE is partnering with Tellus360, the Thomas and Georgina Russo Family Foundation, and the Walters/Unitarian Universalist Church Trust to bring the FOV to Lancaster. Check out the schedule below and mark your calendars now.

 

For more information on the 2017 Festival of Voices click here.

The schedule for the event is as follows:

Friday March 23, 2018
6:30 PM
Concert at McCaskey East High School (1051 Lehigh Ave. Lancaster, PA 17602)
Free and open to the public

Featuring:

The School District of Lancaster Combined Elementary Chorus
The Linden Hall Musea Chamber Choir
The Ephrata High School Camerata Singers
The Pequea Valley High School Chamber Singers
Millersville University’s Chromatic Expansion

The MFE Lancaster Community Chorus
Saturday March 24, 2018
3:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Community Choral Workshops at McCaskey East High School (1051 Lehigh Ave. Lancaster, PA 17602)
Free and open to the public

Orfeia – Workshop Time: 3:15-4:00

 

Biography

Founded by internationally acclaimed Bulgarian singer, director, and composer Tatiana Sarbinska, Orfeia Vocal Ensemble celebrates the rich and varied folk music traditions of Bulgaria and Eastern Europe.

Orfeia draws its name and inspiration from the ancient Thracian myth of Orpheus, a symbol of musical journeys and storytelling. From the motifs of village life to the sacred and spiritual, from the medieval to modern-day adaptations, the musical traditions and culture of the Balkans come alive for audiences through Orfeia’s unique and exciting repertoire.

Workshop Description

At the workshop, participants can expect to learn 2-3 traditional Bulgarian songs in two-part harmonies, as well as a brief introduction to Bulgarian vocal warm-ups and technique.
Parkside Harmony – Workshop time: 4:15-5:15
Biography

Founded in January of 2015, Parkside Harmony is one of the newest members of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Representing the Hershey, PA Chapter, we are extremely proud and fortunate to join an already thriving arts community here in the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth’ – and welcome passionate singers from all over central Pennsylvania who strive for musical excellence.

One of nearly 1000 choruses that make up an organization which spans the globe, we recognize the importance of fraternity and brotherhood. Our purpose is to do our part to ‘keep the whole world singing.’

Awards

– 2017 Barbershop Harmony Society 5th Place Bronze Medalists
– 2016 Mid-Atlantic District Chorus Champions
– 2016 Barbershop Harmony Society 8th Place International Finalists
– 2015 Mid-Atlantic District 3rd Place Chorus Finalists
– 2015 M-AD Western Division Chorus Champions

 

Workshop Description

Bel Canto for the 21st Century

Any choirs today have a tendency to sing harshly, with poor vocal production or poor choices for the instrument. We at Parkside Harmony refer to that style as Can Belto, however we prefer the gentler bel canto approach. Exploring briefly the three mechanisms of the voice, we will then take workshop participants into the practices of proper choices for the voice and how timbre and phonation choices can increase expressive qualities and dynamic range. Members of Parkside harmony will demonstrate the techniques discussed, and audience members will be able to explore the vocal tools for themselves as well. This is a participatory workshop open to all singers of all levels.

Participants will be able to explore their individual voices using the fundamental and advanced vocal techniques discussed and demonstrated. Much of what is learned can be applied directly to one’s own solo or ensemble singing almost immediately.

 

Saturday March 24, 2018
7:00 PM
The Festival of Voices at McCaskey East High School (1051 Lehigh Ave. Lancaster, PA 17602)
Free and open to the public

 

Featuring:

The Testostertones (The 2017 Acappellus winners)
Chromatic Expansion
Orfeia
Parkside Harmony
The MFE Lancaster Community Chorus

 

Sunday March 25, 2018
3:00 PM
The Big Community Sing at Tellus360 (24 E King St. Lancaster, PA 17602)
Free and open to the public

 
The Lancaster Festival of Voices invites you to the BIG Community Sing at Tellus360. Please join us as we gather to sing for the sheer joy of singing. Led by Sasha Hsuczyk, this is sure to be a great time. We’ll provide the words, the guidance, and the venue. You just grab a pint and sing along!  Back to the Top!

 

March is Music in Our Schools Month

An important part of what MFE does is to advocate for the importance of music in our schools. This advocacy role has become increasingly important in this difficult economic environment of decreased educational funding. This, despite the substantial and growing evidence of music’s positive educational benefit in areas such as reading, creativity, language, math, and logic. While we know you value music in schools year round, March is the month we like to make it a point to sing the praises of music as an educational tool. Be sure to LIKE MFE ON FACEBOOK, to see the special “Music in our Schools Month” we will be posting.

SO SING IT LOUD AND SING IT PROUD! Keeping vibrant music programs in our schools is important!  Back to the Top!

MFE and the Willie Marble Xperience Tellus360 Concert Series

Music For Everyone has joined forces with the mysteriously swampadelic Willie Marble Xperience and Tellus360 in a concert series to benefit Lancaster non-profit organizations. This month’s concert will benefit Neighbors United and will be held on March 22nd!
Doors will be at 7:00pm and the show will begin at 8:00pm. The event is for ages 21+ and admission is a suggested donation of $10.  Back to the Top!

MEDA and MFE are Teaming Up for a World Market Night to Kick Off Music Friday


  Back to the Top!

Reminders: MFE Ukulele Uprising!

Come Join the MFE Ukulele Uprising on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm at the Vision Corps Building at 244 N. Queen St. All are welcome to this community building initiative.  Back to the Top!