32 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Arts & Culture DONate online mcgives.com of the 8,500 young artists and counting who have participated in Hijos del Sol programs over the years have found all sorts of spaces in which to create art, including more than 60 murals, but a dedicated studio space will enable the next generation of creative minds to hone their skills and flourish. “Coming here makes me happy to be myself.” -Angel, 11 I Cantori di Carmel Year Founded: 1981 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $130,000 644-8012 icantori.org Big Idea: As the only Monterey County choral ensemble with a professional orchestra and soloists, I Cantori di Carmel is committing to expanding its season to include performances in more regional communities. Since 2021, this choir has performed in San Jose, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara. Donations support this Big Idea of continued expansion of I Cantori’s cultural and musical outreach by helping fund transportation, publicity and performance costs. In addition, the nonprofit plans to continue its vocal arts academy, recruiting young singers, then offering training and experience. “My husband and I have had the pleasure of experiencing the remarkable performances of Carmel’s I Cantori choir several times, and they are nothing short of extraordinary. This isn’t just a group of people who can sing—they are devoted to music. Their voices bring both new and classical compositions to life in a way that is as meaningful as it is beautiful. On top of the magical performances, their enthusiasm for sharing the joy of music with the local community and their support of budding performers really underlines their commitment. I Cantori is a standout in the choral scene, demonstrating what it means to combine talent, passion and a real connection to music. They make every performance feel like a unique experience. We can’t wait to hear them again.” -Sabine Wolpers Monterey County Pops! Year Founded: 1984 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $217,028 206-2588 montereycountypops.org Big Idea: You can always count on Monterey County Pops! to deliver a spectacular show of patriotic and popular favorites, always free of charge. Outside of these spirited performances, this nonprofit’s professional artists are hard at work expanding their Salinas Valley music education initiative. This Big Idea serves at least 1,200 students and their families at 10 schools, including intensive small group mentoring by members of the orchestra. This coaching culminates in a free evening performance where students perform with the orchestra. “As music teacher at Greenfield High School, I have consistently seen the Monterey County Pops! create amazing, eye-opening experiences for my students for the past five years. Previously, our high school was not typically a place where families felt welcome, but I’ve seen more families attending concerts every year, thanks to the Pops. Orchestra members do an outstanding job giving clinics to the students on their primary instruments. This type of attention is much needed for my students. The conductor, Carl Christensen, is very sensitive to the audience’s needs, speaking mostly in Spanish. The Pops selects music that Palenke Arts Year Founded: 2018 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 15 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $424,553 899-9909 palenkearts.org Big Idea: Palenke Arts continues its planning process to create the Palenke Arts Multicultural Arts Center, the organization’s new “forever home.” This Big Idea will be the first and only facility of its kind in the area: a vibrant, inclusive, carbon-neutral, LEEDcertified, state-of-the-art multidisciplinary arts center in the city of Seaside. Design elements include a 300- to 500-seat theater, a visual arts gallery and studio, a dance and recording studio, music classrooms, rehearsal spaces, office spaces, a culinary arts center, an organic garden, as well as indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. “Palenke feels like an extended family. We’ve become very close to some of the teachers, staff and other participants. We are a homeschool music family which relies on one violin teaching/gigging income. While we feel blessed in our situation, money is often tight, and lessons and music education can be very expensive. Palenke offers incredible value for what we can afford. There are families that have harder struggles than us, and knowing that these highly qualified, passionate teachers are available to the community for very affordable rates gives me hope. We need more Palenke-type programs that teach, celebrate and bring us arts and culture in today’s hyper-tech, fast-paced, money-driven society.” -Anonymous spotlight It’s not just the joy of singing; it’s also the camaraderie and the wonderful friends I never would have known otherwise.” John Lett, Monterey Peninsula Voices
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