Project Grant

CMYO plans to continue to offer more than in-person concert attendance by providing live streaming with the option to view at a later time. This should open more opportunities for family and friends who would usually find it difficult to attend. We will monitor attendance both online and in-person, plus evaluate how many viewed after the stream. The experience viewing options will be advertised prior to the concert via Facebook and Around the Cloud. Music will be selected, rehearsed, and performed to give light to the themes presented for this Fall. Students will study through the Discovery Class how composers create music imagery to tell stories. Additionally, this will include historical background on the composers' lives, their heritage, listening examples, and potentially performing pieces from Baroque to modern times. CMYO plans to go on a field trip to a symphony. Students will have an opportunity to discuss their views and perspectives on another way musicians make an impact. CMYO seeks ways to guide students to a new approach to how music influences life and understanding the demands and satisfaction of making powerful music come alive. We hope to see new audiences find our orchestra concept progressive that challenges the norm for orchestral experiences in the central Minnesota region. For returning audiences, we hope they will find pride in the work that has been accomplished since the beginning of the summer of 2013. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra will increase the number of students who participate in our program compared to 2022/2023. Additionally, CMYO will target to retain at least (70%) of its student base. Out of 30 students, CMYO expects to maintain the current students under the current COVID situation. Since 2013, the student numbers have increased in student attendance in the beginning years. As of late, we are maintaining around 30 to 35 students per year. With changes in schools and recent cuts and the aftermath of COVID, we have seen a decline in attendance. We are engaging schools with the help of a newly appointed outreach coordinator to find ways that we can help advocate for their programs and continue our strategy for growth within a quality program. We expect the attendance to increase with the recent new changes in staffing and rebound after COVID. CMYO focuses on gaining numbers towards 35 to 45 students into the 2023-2024 season.