Welcome to Middlebury Community Music Center’s 10th Anniversary Celebration!
Celebrating a decade of music and joy!
Over the past decade, we have grown from a small group of passionate educators and students into a thriving community dedicated to the transformative power of music. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and commitment of everyone who is part of our community.
Our story began with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a place where music thrives and everyone feels welcome. We wanted to bridge the gap between music lovers and passionate educators, building a community where everyone can learn, perform, and grow.
In 2014, Sadie Brightman established the Middlebury Community Music Center with the vision of providing high-quality, accessible music education to our community with many programs and instructors teaching and collaborating. We started with a few private lessons, classes, and camps. We moved into the Middlebury Community House on Main Street, transitioning the beloved historic home into a lively musical center with people of all ages flowing in and out seven days a week all year round.
Celebrate with Us
As we take this moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead with excitement, we invite you to join us in celebrating a decade of music and joy! Explore the stories, achievements, and future plans that make our center a place where music flourishes and everyone has the opportunity to experience its magic.
Join us for a series of special events and performances, too! Whether you’re a current student, an alumni, teacher, or community member, there’s something for everyone.
Our first celebration will be on Saturday, December 7th. Bring your kids and little ones for a fun-filled day of music, exploration, and celebration at our 10th Anniversary Open House! We’re opening our doors to children and families for hands-on musical activities, live performances, giveaways, and special surprises.
Support the Power of Music!
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary at the Middlebury Community Music Center, we invite you to join us in making a lasting impact on our community. Your support is crucial for us to continue providing quality music education and encouraging connections through the power of music. Learn more here!
Our Journey
2015-2016: Growth and Expansion
By 2015, community interest had grown, leading to the expansion of the center’s offerings, including more instruments, ensemble programs, community concerts, and workshops. Additionally, funding for the scholarship program was secured through the generous support of grants and donations.
Partnerships with local schools and community organizations were established, helping to widen the center's outreach and ensure that programs were available to students regardless of their financial situation. This included bringing programs to local daycare centers, public schools, and eldercare centers.
2017-2019: Community Engagement and Recognition
The center launched new community engagement initiatives, including more public performances, outreach concerts, a new tradition of a scholarship benefit concert featuring student performers, and a faculty benefit concert.
The center continued to receive local recognition and grant funding, solidifying its reputation as a key cultural institution in the community.
2020-2022: Adapting to Challenges
These years presented challenges, including shifts in funding and the need to adapt to new educational demands brought on by the global pandemic. In these years, MCMC connected with other local nonprofits and leaders, seeking to build solutions to address the growing social needs for cohesion and connection.
The center responded by implementing innovative solutions like virtual lessons and hybrid teaching models, ensuring that music education remained accessible during uncertain times. When we resumed in-person instruction, this led to a tuition-free, 10-week long summer camp program funded by a multi-year federal grant, allowing us to reach new families and to invite in new teachers to lead our programs.
2023-2024: Celebrating a Decade of Impact
In 2023, MCMC began preparations for its 10th anniversary, reflecting on a decade of growth, community impact, and unwavering commitment to its mission.
The 2024 celebrations include special events, performances, and the launch of new initiatives aimed at expanding the center's reach and impact in the next decade and beyond.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we know there’s more work to be done. The world is changing, and so are the needs of our community. That’s why our 10th anniversary is a call to action–a time to dream big and chart a course for the next chapter of our journey.
We want a future where music education is available to all, where every child has the chance to discover their musical passion, and every family can come together to make music a part of their lives. That means forging new partnerships with schools, expanding our afterschool programs, and helping more of our community access music.
Earlier this year, a team of faculty, staff, and board members worked together to develop a three-year strategic plan to make this vision a reality. Their work was informed by more than 100 faculty, staff, students, families & caregivers, community partners, and donors who shared their valuable perspectives through surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
Read Middlebury Community Music Center’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
A Note of Gratitude
This moment wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our community–students, parents and caregivers, teachers, partners, donors, and friends. Thank you for believing in our mission and being part of our journey. Here’s to the next ten years and beyond!