“There are not enough superlatives to describe the excitement and joy generated by the first week of rehearsals and coaching.” And so we introduce you to Credo Chamber Music! The following quote came directly from their blog, an entry dated Monday, July 11, 2011. Who are they?
Credo is dedicated to combining high-level musical training with Christian mentorship and the opportunity for outreach and service to others.
Peter Slowik is the Credo Artistic Director and String Division Director at Oberlin Conservatory. “I founded Credo because I had seen (and taught at) other high-level summer programs which separated the young musician's performing from their humanity, and I found that example unsettling. The very best musicians I had played with (YoYo Ma, for example) are great humanitarians - so I tried to develop a program which would help students grow personally.”
Credo’s website is a plethora of information, accolades and great video footage. Right now you can find their summer concert schedule, which is very busy!
When asked why "combining high-level musical training with Christian mentorship and the opportunity for outreach and service to others" is important to Credo students, Slowik replied, “Because they are good people! They might hear about serving others from youth leaders at their home schools, but to see the leading teachers and performers in the field exhibit and LIVE these principals is eye-opening and life-changing.”
As an integral part of Credo's mission (which is to "Develop the Gift, Acknowledge the Source, Respond in Service"), these musically gifted students spend one day each week serving others. This includes playing concerts at nursing homes, Early Childhood centers, blood drives and hospitals. They’ve also done things like clean parks and roadsides, as well as sort food at local food banks.
Slowik’s need to do good has been a lifelong process for himself, and he believes that it’s an area of continual growth for each of us. “I hope to be more compassionate and effective 10 years from now! Credo is a great inspiration to all of us, even as leaders!” he says.
The students are working hard this summer already. They began on July 3rd - 86 students from 25 U.S. states and from other places around the world (Singapore, China, Canada, etc.) descended upon the Oberlin Conservatory for a three-week, classical chamber music intensive. This is the thirteenth summer of programming, open to string players and pianists age 13-23.
The Credo students are blogging – check out their updates at http://credo2011.blogspot.com/.
What draws students to Credo? It’s a number of things, according to Slowik. “The world-acclaimed Credo faculty and the first-class facilities of Oberlin Conservatory draw students initially. But the more they look at the program, the more they conclude that combining musical excellence with personal excellence is the right and natural way to live. Our program has an extraordinary returning-student rate, and students spread the program by word-of-mouth.”
How special is this program? Check out their bragging rights:
• Pepsi Refresh Grant Winner ($25,000 for scholarships)
• Featured on “Good Morning America”
• Recipient of 2 recent National Endowment for the Arts grants
Today, there are Credo alumni all over the world living good lives through service and music. This year they have alumni in Jordan/Palestine, Japan, Germany, India, and Africa. Slowik believes that many of their students have chosen a career path in music because of their experiences with Credo.
These young musicians are making a difference through their music. Slowik and his staff are spreading the seeds of good works through their passion for the arts and service to others.
To find out more about Credo, including their upcoming concert schedule, visit: www.credochambermusic.org
To keep up on their blog posts, visit: http://credo2011.blogspot.com
Interested in other Heart of the Arts Series articles? Click the links below!
###
Do you have a Heart of the Arts suggestion or another Cleveland-area arts story idea? Contact Cleveland Performing Arts Examiner, KATE MILLER at KateMillerExaminer@yahoo.com.
Comments