The Community Music Center began in 1912 as a music department at the Dolores Street Girls Club, a settlement house for recent immigrants. From the very beginning, the CMC has had as a top priority to provide accessible musical education.
From the beginning, access was a key point, and for a long time the school turned away kids of more affluent backgrounds. In 1938, it became a nonprofit, capping the monthly income of eligible students’ families at $200 and issuing a statement of purpose that read, “The purpose of this organization shall be to further the constructive study of music — to bring the opportunity of such study within the reach of those who crave it and could not otherwise afford it.”
At the time, its board was made up of members of storied San Francisco families — all women — including the wives of J.W. Hellman, Mortimer Fleishhacker Sr. and Jesse Lilienthal, who are all listed by their husband’s name in school records. READ MORE
After more than nine decades, the CMC is planning to expand to the acquired building in 2012 next to their Capp Street location.
In the spirit of #GivingTuesday, you should consider giving to the Community Music Center, a 93-year-old organization based in the Mission District. This year, CMC is planning the 8th celebration of La Posarela, a bilingualMexican Christmas celebration which combines the traditions of Las Posadas and Las Pastorelas. More here.
If the word community had any flavor to it, then the CMC would be the tastiest!
A big thanks to MissionLoc@l for this article – we can’t make music happen here without the community’s support!