Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 12/21/1998 All articles from this issue

Music and arts school celebrates its 30th anniversary on a high note

printer friendly version

Town Crier Staff Report

The Community School of Music & Arts has come a long way since it first opened its doors in Mountain View 30 years ago with just 28 students, 10 teachers and a start-up capital of $150. The non-profit arts school is currently the largest provider of arts education in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

In honor of the community's support, the arts school is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a series of free monthly concerts through May.

"Most gratifying for us is knowing that our programs today reach a second generation of students," said executive director Andrea Temkin.

More than 250,000 residents have taken part in programs at the school since its founding in 1968. The school boasts a multi-lingual faculty of more than 75 professional musicians and artists and an annual budget in excess of $1.3 million. It serves more than 17,000 residents annually through arts-in-the-schools programs, private lessons and classes, camps concerts and other events.

Since 1987, the school has leased space from the Mountian View School District at Huff School on Martens Avenue. School officials are currently negotiating with the city of Mountain View to build a permanent home on city-owned land located at the San Antonio Loop.

Organizers say they hope that the new centrally located site will expand the school's ability to be a community resource to more residents.

The school will host three different concert series. The Family Concert Series will be held Sundays and feature multi-cultural concerts for all ages.

The Faculty Concert Series will bring together current and alumnas faculty to present an array of musical styles from classical to jazz.

The Concert and Conversation Series is a collaboration with Stanford Lively Arts that will feature performances by world-class artists.

For more information about concert times, dates and programs, call 961-0342.