Make Music New York

Make Music New York (MMNY) is one of the largest music events in the city's history. Today, on the first day of summer, 850 free concerts were performed in parks and streets citywide. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivals in more than 300 cities around the world-a global celebration of music making! Opus Nine was thrilled to be a part!

Opus Nine presented a one hour performance at the Divalicious Chocolate! Cafe in Little Italy. The owner, Jackie greeted us with some chocolate samples-the chocolate was delicious!!!











The lively program consisted of Poulenc, Beethoven, Tailleferre, and Mozart. Passersby and neighbors stopped to hear the music. We also had an excited little conductor-in-training in the crowd! This little pink diva could be the next Marin Alsop-she even had clear downbeats.

Check out these pics from the performance!

Check out the entire album here!

--Alysia

FIRST Music Workshops are a success!

Today, Opus Nine completed our first educational outreach music workshops reaching 425 public school students at the First Philadelphia Charter School!

The artists boarded a 6AM train to Philly-excited about the day!

From Music in the Schools Day in Philly

Crystal, Mindy, Jarvis and special guest, Juliette Jones each led their own workshop on music fundamentals-asking the students to open their musical ears and stretch their imaginations.

Jarvis' workshop on dynamics allows students to explore varying dynamic levels with their ears, bodies, instruments and their voices. Watch a 2nd grader 'conduct' her class through 'Mary had a little lamb" from pianissimo to fortissimo.

The students were so great-so smart and creative. It was a pleasure to work with such awesome students and a really helpful faculty. The workshops received rave reviews for the the high energy of the artists and the great balance of fun and education in each workshop.

Kudos to all of our artists for a job INCREDIBLY well done!! Click here to see the entire album!

Prepping for our first Educational Outreach Workshop

Alysia, Crystal, Jarvis and Mindy got together tonight to prepare for the FIRST Opus Nine Educational Music Workshop. Under the watchful eye, of Oscar the cat-we put the final touches on our music fundamental workshop plans and materials. There was also time for some ice cream birthday cake to celebrate Mindy's birthday. How awesome is Mindy?? She is spending her birthday sharing music with public school students and Opus Nine. We are all so excited to share our high energy lessons with over 400 kids tomorrow in Philadelphia.

From Getting ready for Music in the Schools Day!

Crystal & Alysia's Brooklyn Adventure

Crystal and I headed to Brooklyn on a fundraising adventure today. And what adventure is complete without a good old cup of Joe and a chocolate muffin? We stopped at BACO Living, a nifty cafe/showroom in DUMBO for some fuel.We also saw some cool street art on the way! We learned tons today at the New York Foundation of the Arts about emerging arts organizations and heard lots of interesting ideas. Wanna see more pictures, click here.

From Crystal & Alysia's Brooklyn Adventure

----Alysia