Notes of Gratitude and A Standing Ovation for Everyone!

CCM faculty Member Long Okada with West Side String Kids
CCM Faculty Member Long Okada with West Side String Students

Thank you to everyone in our CCM community. Whether you are a supporter, student, faculty, staff, or Board member, your contributions have truly struck a chord with us all and made a significant impact.

With your help, we have made music education even more accessible to members of our community, and creating experiences that enhance well-being, forged social bonds, and bring joy, all through the love of music. Your support allowed us to provide financial assistance, ensuring everyone has the chance to bring music into their lives.

We look forward to continuing this journey together with you. Thank you!

BACK TO TOP

Porchfest Harmony: CCM Students and faculty member Max Anderson take the stage

Student Rock Group Mes Amours coached by CCM faculty member Phil Sargent.
The CCM student rock group Mes Amours, coached by CCM faculty member Phil Sargent, delivered a dynamic set of covers and original compositions.

On Saturday, June 8th, West Concord Village came alive with the vibrant sounds of the annual Porchfest, a beloved grassroots music festival that transforms neighborhood porches into stages. This free, all-ages event featured over two dozen live acts, showcasing diverse musical genres and talents within walking distance of each other.

CCM Faculty Member and multi-instrumentalist Max Anderson performed bluegrass, folk, and classic tunes at this year's West Concord Porchfest.
CCM Faculty Member Max Anderson performed bluegrass, folk, and classic tunes at this year’s West Concord Porchfest.

Among the performers were a variety of ensembles from CCM. The student groups, included the premier rock band Mes Amours, coached by CCM faculty member Phil Sargent, delighted the audience with a dynamic mix of covers and original compositions, demonstrating their musical prowess and creativity.

One of the festival highlights was a performance by CCM faculty member and singer-multi-instrumentalist Max Anderson. His set at the CCM Labyrinth captivated listeners with his distinctive blend of bluegrass, folk, and classic country tunes. If you missed this performance, catch a glimpse of his talents at the next Concord Open Bluegrass Jam on Thursday evenings at CCM. Feel free to drop in and experience bluegrass—you can always just come to listen to some terrific music.

A bluegrass band Max’s Fault, named in Max’s honor, infused lively bluegrass rhythms with genre-jumping selections from Garcia, Dylan, and beyond, keeping the crowd engaged and energized throughout.

Adding to the diversity of musical experiences, a Student Jazz Ensemble coached by CCM faculty member Tsuyoshi Honjo played through an impressive showcase of jazz standards and improvisations, highlighting the talent and dedication of these young musicians.

CCM Student Jazz Ensemble coached by faculty member Tsuyoshi Honjo.
CCM Student Jazz Ensemble coached by faculty member Tsuyoshi Honjo.

The 2024 West Concord Porchfest not only celebrated the joy of music but also highlighted the community spirit and collaboration among neighbors, artists, and music enthusiasts alike. It served as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together, creating memorable moments and fostering connections that resonate long after the final notes fade.

As the sun set on another successful Porchfest, attendees departed with hearts full of music and anticipation for next year’s celebration of local talent and community spirit in West Concord.

BACK TO TOP

7+ Awesome Local Music Adventures This Summer

Local Music Adventures for the Summer

Looking to make the most of your summer with some unforgettable live local music experiences?

We’ve got you covered. Read on to discover fantastic local music events that you won’t want to miss. Get ready to enjoy great tunes, vibrant atmospheres, and memorable moments all summer long.

The Concord Band Summer Concert Series

Wednesdays, July 3 – 24, 7;15 at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard

The Suitcase Junket

July 12, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Enjoy live outdoor music with the deCordova Performance Series. Spread a blanket on the ground or bring your own chair for a wonderful evening of music. The remaining performances for this summer include:

Lorenz’s vision for The Suitcase Junket is a blend of grandeur and solitude. Grand in its imagery, sound, and staging, yet solitary in its thrift and self-reliance. Lorenz builds his own instruments from scratch and salvage, performing parts typically played by five musicians all by himself. His one-man show evokes comparisons to legends of showmanship, brilliance, madness, and invention

See additional performances at the deCordova Performance Series

Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Family Summer Concerts at Institute Park

Jazz in the Park: Celebrating Great African-American and Latin-American Musical Influences

Sunday, July 14, 2024, 7 pm 

Jorge Soto, Conductor; Manolo Mairena, Master of Ceremonies. In association with the Latin American Business Organization, this concert will feature members of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra along with special guest artists and members of the Berklee College of Music faculty in an evening of Afro-Latin jazz.  Music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Jorge Ben, Tito Puente, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Luiz Bonfa, and Zequinha Abreau, among others.  Rain date:  Sunday, July 21. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.          

Salute to Disney with Conductor Jorge Soto, and vocal artists—Taylor Lawton and Elisabeth LaBarre

Sunday, July 21, 2024, 6:30 pm

This concert will feature the Massachusetts Symphony in a Salute to Disney including musical highlights from Encanto, Moana, Frozen. Planes, Brave, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pocahontas, and Aladdin, among others. Rain date: Sunday, July 28.  Secondary rain date: Sunday, August 4.

Reggae Splashdown presented by Reggae Takeova, Josh David Barrett and Judah Tribe

Thursday, July 18, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary, Maynard

Two-time Grammy-nominated singer and bassist Josh David, whose musical journey spans over 20 years, has performed with today’s top artists and with his band The Wailers.

Nashoba Brooks School Summer Concert Series

Wednesdays, 5:00 pm starting July 17 with Ball in the House—international a Capella group

Tony Wilson’s Super Bad Birthday Bash

August 14, 7:30 pm at the Regent Theatre, Arlington

The “Young James Brown” and his electrifying 15-piece soul orchestra—The best of James Brown, R&B Classics, Blues and more with horn section, dancers, and a special surprise celebrity guest!

2024 Summer Concert Series at Nara Park, Acton

Throughout the summer—check their website for dates and times

Love Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, The Who, or Billy Joel and missed seeing them live? No worries—check out the concert series at Nara Park.

BACK TO TOP

CCM Special ProgrammingWhat do Fidelity, Raytheon, and State Street have in common?

They have matching gift programs.

Won’t you please consider giving the gift of music today?

Are you a CCM friend yet?

Join us on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to learn CCM news and more! See what music videos we like, photos we post, practice tips and articles we suggest, and new music in the music world. Be sure to bookmark the CCM Blog to never miss a new post.

BACK TO TOP

Support Music Education