How we make a difference

 

Highlights from the 2012-2013 Season

We participated in over 60 community performances and events–and most of them were free to the public!

Some events were sponsored by C4A; others were invited performances in new or established festivals and venues.

Bow-Dacious performance at Festival of Trees

Bow-Dacious performance at Festival of Trees

 
Members of the Cretaceous Band performing at the Iron Post

Members of the Cretaceous Band performing at the Iron Post

We awarded over $3800 in scholarships and work-study assistance to students with financial need.We are particularly proud of our work-study program, where people can take ownership of their efforts at C4A and enjoy the feeling of contributing to a larger whole

 

We expanded our partnership with Parkland College, offering a larger selection of community music classes.  

So far we offer adult classes in beginning and intermediate guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and violin.  We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with Parkland College!

 parkland logo
 
In the "try it" tent at the Race St. Bash

In the “try it” tent at the Race St. Bash

We hosted our second annual “Race Street Bash” hometown street fair. This was an afternoon of live music and participatory displays, all free to the public.

We had about 800 attendees at our last festival event, and were pleased to collaborate with the Urbana Public Arts program.  Our next Race Street Bash will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2014, and we hope to bring many more local artists and businesses into the mix!

 
"Art Goo" was a popular medium at Race St. Bash

“Art Goo” was a popular medium at Race St. Bash

 
Young performers at the Race Street Bash

Young performers at the Race Street Bash

We produced high-quality summer programs for kids of all ages, including music immersion camps in rock band, folk music, and classical orchestra.

We also had camps for non-musicians including theater skills, improvisation, and puppets.

 
Jamming at Beatles Camp.

Jamming at Beatles Camp.

 
Engaging kids during an improvisatory theater camp.

Engaging kids during an improvisatory theater camp.

Classical string orchestra

Classical string orchestra

 
The many faces of C4A faculty

The many faces of C4A faculty

We added 5 new faculty members and 4 new teaching studios to serve our growing student body.

We just moved into our new studios about a year and a half ago, but we are expanding at a tremendous rate!  We are grateful to have the opportunity to expand to meet our growing needs. 

We continued strategic planning to ensure the well-being and long-term health of C4A.

Our Board of Directors and Administrative Staff work hand-in-hand with our Teaching Faculty and Volunteers to ensure that long-range planning will continue at a healthy rate. 

 

Created by a C4A student.

Created by a C4A student.

 

 

We worked with the following collaborators, sponsors, and venues.  It’s great to have so many friends! 

Baier Brothers Auto Wash
Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana (BACH) 

Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival
Busey Bank
C4A Individual and Family Members
Centennial High School Orchestra

Champaign Park District
Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra
Cinema Gallery
City of Urbana
Clem Farm
Community Foundation of Central Illinois
Corson Music Guitar Store

The Courier Cafe
C-U Folk and Roots Festival
DR Diggers
DuPeister Guitars
First Federal of Champaign-Urbana
40 North/88 West Champaign County Arts Council

Heartland Gallery
Illinois Arts Council
Indi Go Artist Co-Op
The Iron Post
Junior League's Festival of Trees
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Minuteman Press
Mo'Betta Jazz Ensemble

National Guild for Community Arts Education
Orpheum Children's Museum

Parkland Art Gallery
Parkland College
Piato Cafe & Catering
The Piper's Hut
Pizza M

The Prairie Ensemble
Rick Larimore Sculptures
Roland Realty
Sample Container Store
Savoy Recreation Center
Silvercreek Restaurant

Sousa Archive & Center for American Music
Syliva's Irish Inn
Taste of Champaign
Tuesday Morning Music Club
UC-IMC

UIUC Alumni Association
Urbana Business Association

Urbana Country Dancers
The Urbana Free Library
Urbana Park District
Urbana Public Arts
Urbana Sweetcorn Festival

Virginia Theatre
WCIA
WEFT
WHIP
WILL

 In the 2011-2012 season we: 

  • Partnered with 13 local arts and community organizations for programming.
  • Participated in over 50 performances and events around Champaign-Urbana.
  • Launched 3 new music group classes (jazz, classical, and blues) in addition to our existing programs (Bow-Dacious, Cretaceous, Early Childhood Music, Rock Band, and many group classes for adults).
  • Awarded over $3000 in scholarships.
  • Added staff to execute our 2011-2012 strategic plan, focusing on participation and partnerships.
  • Acquired a rejuvenated board committed to the well-being and long-term health of C4A.