| | | | Meet our October Student of the Month! Allie is a songwriter, singer, and guitarist – and she has been an adult piano student of Tom Luther’s since September 2023. She also participated in last year’s Adult Rock Ensemble at MCMA. Tom has this to say about his student Allie:
Allie came to me with a wide variety of performing experience and a remarkable intuitive understanding of piano, voice, and songwriting. Her initial interest was to develop language to understand at a deeper level how and why music was and could be constructed in different ways. We initially began by looking at a few well known songs to understand how they were put together and how those concepts could be applied to her own work. As we expanded the depth of our study we included her own songs in the analysis. Through these practices, as well as the practice of improvisation, she has refined her compositional voice and is establishing consistent and notable esthetic principles.Â
It's been particularly rewarding for me to see her really sculpting out her sound and most importantly, finding a way to make all the concepts make sense to her is a very personal way. She is a fabulous model of a student who owns their learning which makes it deeply consequential and effective. A key to this has been her willingness to work through the moments of doubt and discomfort. She is adaptive, patient, and particularly aware of what her learning priorities are. Most notably, she applies what she is learning as an active performer. I can't say enough about how this kind of initiative and courage adds to anyone's skillset, and Allie is a great role model. | | | | | | | In addition to offering private lessons, MCMA facilitates several ensembles that meet weekly to practice together, learn collaboratively, and create a band experience. Most fall ensembles are full now -- but two groups are still accepting participants:
Girls Rock (ages 11-16), which is taught by Khaya Cohen and meets Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30, is looking for an additional guitar player.
Hand Drumming Rhythms (all ages), which is taught by Jeff Densmore and meets Wednesdays from 5:00-6:00, has room for a few more hand drummers.
Come join the fun! Contact MCMA for more information: (207) 701.7410 or info@midcoastmusicacademy.com | | | | | | | Registration for the second session of Music Exploration will begin Tuesday, October 15th! Students who are currently enrolled can sign up for Music Exploration 2, while new students can register for Music Exploration 1.
Limited to four students per class (ages 5-8), Music Exploration allows younger music lovers to dive into rhythm, melody, instrument exploration and a bit of theory at an age-appropriate level. The intention of the class is to allow students to explore what they already love and to begin to direct their passion into a lifetime of music-making and enjoyment.
Click on the button below for more information -- or to register! | | | | | | | | | In the fall of 2011, MCMA founder Tom Ulichny was inspired to create a community music school that would provide lessons to any committed student, regardless of financial constraints. He held fast to his vision – and, by early 2012, he welcomed the first Midcoast Music Academy students to a small studio in Rockland. Twelve years later, buoyed by the momentum of Tom’s original mission, MCMA has grown into a thriving school with over 180 students and a robust tuition assistance program.
In honor of Tom’s immeasurable contribution to MCMA’s current (and future) success, we are thrilled to announce the dedication of the Tom Ulichny Drum Room at our studio in Rockport… a space in which student musicians will learn, take risks, reflect, evolve – and embody what Tom dreamt of so boldly many years ago. As MCMA enters its thirteenth year, we are grateful that Tom remains an essential member of our faculty and overjoyed to demonstrate our appreciation to him for creating such a remarkable community. Thank you, Tom! | | | | | | | Are you inspired by the positive impact of MCMA -- and invested in moving its mission forward? Please consider becoming a valuable behind-the-scenes member of our learning community...
ANNUAL APPEAL MCMA's Annual Appeal is coming up, and we're seeking volunteers who would be willing to help us in this major fundraising effort. We're looking for individuals who are willing to help write notes and address envelopes.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MCMA is also seeking volunteers to join our development committee. This group focuses on generating fundraising ideas, event organization, and getting the word out in the community about all the fabulous things that occur at MCMA.
Contact MCMA if you'd like to contribute in any way: (207) 701.7410 or info@midcoastmusicacademy.com.
If inspired by the cause, but unable to volunteer, donations of support are always welcome and appreciated. Click the button below to make a donation to MCMA. | | | | | | | | | MCMA is pleased to announce new additions to our Board of Directors. These individual's expertise and experience are certain to enrich the mission of our community music school: to harness the power of making music with and for others, through equitable access to instruction, performance and community programming. | | | | | | New board member Courtney Naliboff is a teacher, writer, and musician living on North Haven island. She serves as North Haven Community School’s K-12 music teacher, an English teacher, and theater program director. The co-author of Your Postpartum Body, she also writes the “Saltwater Cure” column for Working Waterfront and is a member of the punk trio Bait Bag. | | | | | | New board member Jeff Charland serves as Vice President Commercial Loan Officer at Maine State Credit Union, leading business lending and development efforts in Knox, Waldo, and Lincoln counties. An active community member, he previously served on the board of directors at the Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport. An outdoor enthusiast, he lives with his wife and daughters in Rockport. | | | | | This newsletter segment is meant to highlight the natural habits of MCMA's faculty as individuals who engage with music regularly (and passionately). Here's this month's "soundbite" from MCMA Director Jen Feldman: | | | | "Lately I've found my way back to an old favorite band: Nico Gomez and his African Percussion Inc., specifically "Baila Chibiquiban." Always a huge Afro-Latin funk fan, this particular groove never fails to improve any mood (and send me straight back to the kit to practice)."
Click the video below to listen to "Baila Chibiquiban".. | | | | | | Fri, Oct 11: MCMA Community Jam (6:00pm - 7:00pm) Mon, Oct 14: Indigenous People's Day Holiday (MCMA closed) - All Monday lessons will happen on Fri, Oct 18 at their regular time. Fri, Nov 1: Make-up Day - group make-up classes & special workshops
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