Why Classical Music Connects?
Whether you’re a fan of classical music or not – whatever the definition of the genre these days – unless you’ve stopped reading the newspapers, watching TV, listening to the radio and have no broadband access, you will know that the buzz in industry globally continues to be…
“Change – don’t get left behind, be a part of it!”
While the rest of planet developed and advanced at a frantic pace over 200 years, classical music sadly remained in a state of suspended animation with it’s roots doggedly set down in 19th century convention.
The economic crisis of 2008 was not only a big wake up call for the world to radically reinvent this and other outmoded systems that were no longer beneficial to 99% of the human race but also started forcing classical music out of what some would describe as its “elitist” bubble without – horrors – a tried and tested blueprint.
2008 was also the year when I decided to return to the music profession. After finding out what was going on in the industry worldwide, I felt compelled to come up with something which I felt would help bring about lasting, sustainable change.
The embryonic idea for Classical Music Connects was conceived and in fact sums up the essence of what I’m about – collaboration, community, connection.
So What’s This All About?
Classical Music Connects – which originally launched as Get Mazza to America in July 2011 – is a real life multi-media soap opera about my quest to play my way across Europe to the US.
In collaboration with like-minded inspiring musicians across five countries, we’ll be holding low-cost gigs and workshops which include free live-streams and recordings available to all to watch and enjoy – as well as collectively raising money for good causes, local to event venues.
The Heart of the Project – Collaboration, Community and Connection
Classical Music Connects is all about grass roots team work – people interested in supporting my work, musicians who want to make a real difference to the future of classical music and of course local communities across two continents.
Collaborating Musicians and Charity Themes
Spain – Animal Rescue and Addiction Prevention
Heather Bellene – Piano
UK – The Homeless
Peter Cigleris – Clarinet
Stephen Upshaw – Viola
Jenni Pinnock – Composer
France and Belgium – Ecological (“Green”) Development
Pierre-Arnaud Dablemont – Piano
USA – Mental Health without Big Pharma
Adam Berkowitz - Clarinet
Erica Sipes – Piano
Alexis del Palazzo - Flute
Jade Simmons – Pianist
Cory Tiffin – Clarinet
Alli Deaver – Flute
Gigs
14 main events are in the plan – although the project is growing in scope every day – with a loose schedule of kicking off in Spain in the Fall of 2011 and concluding in the US – ETA Summer 2012 although this is of course subject to extension depending on how the adventure pans out.
For the latest detail on dates, locations, times and repertoire, my Facebook Page is the place to go or consider joining the Quest newsletter.
If “up close and personal” is more your style, for an often amusing behind the scenes look at what’s currently going on, check out the weekly Classical Music Connects Blog.
The project is designed to be completely self-sustainable apart from start-up costs and, being passionate that classical music is directly relevant in a tangible way to communities across the globe, 40% of event proceeds are destined for good causes local to event venues.
All the gigs a well as some rehearsals will be videoed for highlights on You Tube and key performances live streamed on the Internet free to view.
Workshops
With a growing number of musicians choosing to self-publish these days, I thought it would be a good idea to throw open the doors of my own practice sessions, rehearsals and sessions. You can come along in person or via live stream on the Internet.
Far more interesting and fun than reading dry theory in a book or being under put under the pressure of contributing to a master class, it’ll give students a real insight into what it really means to be a freelance musician.
Should you be interested in hosting a workshop in any of the countries I’ll be visiting over the coming months – Spain, France. Belgium, UK and the USA , you’ll find my email address on the Contact page.
Note that these will not be teaching sessions but an open invitation to come along and join in the discussions.
Recordings
The project concludes with the recording of two albums – a commissioned charity Christmas release and the complete clarinet works of Brahms featuring all the clarinettists involved in the project. These will be mastered in Virginia.
There are very few comprehensive recordings of Brahms clarinet repertoire especially one with a fresh interpretive approach so the aim is to offer the final product as a free download on a creative commons attribution basis. A double CD will also be available.
In a nutshell, the recordings are not for financial gain.
But all this won’t happen without your help. Read on to find out how you can get involved…
We Need You!
I’d like to invite you to play a key role in making Classical Music Connects happen.
To support everyone concerned – myself, the contributing musicians and communities hosting events – I’m asking you to consider donating or sponsoring the up front advance costs which none of us have lurking in our bank accounts:
- travel for collaborating musician from home base to venues including one return transatlantic flight – accommodation will be provided by local hosts
- technology and associated professional costs – video, live streams, recording, social media promotion, audience development, etc.
Any remaining money from ticket sales on project completion – after 40% is gifted to local good causes – will be used as start up costs for the next one!
Classical Music Connects is self-perpetuating. Subsequent endeavours will be completely self-funded from start to finish – how a classical music financial model should be i.e., run like a business 
So you see, every donation, however small, will help us to help ourselves and many more in the current tough economic climate for as long as we chose to continue. You can contribute in any currency.
You might also like to lend your support by spreading the word in the social media or embedding the donate button on your blog or web site. Contact me for the HTML code.
Why Should I Contribute?
You may not think that classical music matters and that there are far more worthy causes to support but Karl Paulnack- pianist and director to the music division of the Boston Conservatory – in his address to the Freshman Class back in March 2009 made several important and poignant points:
“Music has a way of finding the big, invisible moving pieces inside our hearts and souls and helping us figure out the position of things inside us…
Music is a basic need for human survival.
Music is one of the ways we make sense of our lives, one of the ways in which we express feelings when we have no words, a way for us to understand things with our hearts when we can’t with our minds”
…and if you’ve ever been moved to tears, inexplicably, by a beautiful piece of music, you’ll know that this is true.
The Mission Statement You’ll Be Supporting
- To show how classical musicians can make a tangible as well as a spiritual difference in their own communities
- To encourage cross cultural exchange, the pooling of ideas, talents and experiences across different countries
- To highlight the practical difficulties of the globe trotting green musician and push for a change in current visa legislation
- To present high quality classical music that’s fun and easily accessible to every strata of society
- To test a potential new business model for classical music which is perpetually self-funding after start-up and 100% sustainable in the long term
Interested in Offering Your Support? What to Do Now…
Individuals can donate in any currency through my page on GoFundMe or right now by clicking the button below:
You wont be sent away empty handed either – check out the goodies you’ll receive as a thank you for your contribution on the Classical Music Connects Reward Programme. To access all the detail, click either of the above links.
Small businesses and corporate entities or community based non-profit organisations – I am open to dialogue and discussion in regards to sponsorship packages so do get in touch via the Contact page on this site.
Thanks so much for your interest,
MAZZA
Classical music may well be in the doldrums at the moment but there is a growing movement for change. Is now the time for you to get involved to take advantage of the upswing?”
Special thanks to:
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