It’s the first-ever FUNdraiser for Camden Music School scholarships, starring Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard, on Tuesday, February 7 at the Plymouth Playhouse. Guests will enjoy a welcoming reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m.
This event is the brainchild of three Orono High School students, Katie Peterson, Rachael Adams and Elizabeth Zahn. They chose to raise money for scholarships at the Camden Music School (CMS) as part of their Civic Consciousness Project for the Orono High School chapter of DECA. DECA (www.deca.com) is a national organization that prepares students for careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.
Camden Music School was established in January 2005. Operating out of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, the school opened its doors to 15 students and grew to serve 52 students, from age 11 months to 81 years, during the 2005 fall term. CMS has a goal of serving all students who want to take music lessons at the school, regardless of their economic circumstances. CMS will begin to meet that goal with the money raised for music scholarships during this “Fun…Ears” event.
Whether it’s jazz, country, pop, folk or Broadway, Prudence Johnson has spent more than 25 years masterfully giving each song she sings its due. She’s made stellar recordings of music by Hoagy Carmichael and Greg Brown. She was nominated for a Grammy for her collection of lullabies from around the world, Little Dreamer. Prudence sings regularly on A Prairie Home Companion, and most recently released a CD with Dan Chouinard featuring the music of George Gershwin,‘s Gershwin.
Dan Chouinard performs, records and tours with many artists, among them Peter Ostroushko, Neal and Leandra, Maria Jette and Ann Reed. He’s a frequent musical guest on Minnesota Public Radio, both as a musician and storyteller. He’s performed on A Prairie Home Companion and was host of Cafe Europa in May 2005, an MPR-produced musical memoir of a summer’s travels in Europe with bicycle, tent and accordion. Recent CD releases include two collections of Italian folk tunes with Peter Ostroushko.
This will be a relaxed, warm-hearted event featuring cool music and hot hors d’oeuvres (including “Minnesota’s most-awarded” Green Mill Pizza), beverages and a cash bar.
The Plymouth Playhouse is in the Best Western Kelly Inn at the southeast corner of Highways 55 and 494. Tickets are $35 per person in advance, $40 at the door (if available), and are tax deductible. To order tickets or for info contact 612-618-0219, info@camdenmusic.org or visit www.camdenmusicschool.com. Donations to the scholarship fund will also be accepted from those unable to attend the event.
The Camden Music School Scholarship Fund is a sponsored project of Our Neighborhood Works, which believes that the essence of successful communities is diverse people working together. Since 1997 ONW has been working on and sponsoring projects that promote a strong Northside. For info visit http://www.onworks.org.