CHAMBER MUSIC CHARLESTON YOUTH CHAMBER MUSIC INITIATIVE (YCMI)

The YCMI is a multi-faceted program that shares the excitement and magic of live classical music with the youth of the greater Charleston area.  The YCMI includes:

• Classical Kids Concerts

• CMC TWO coaching

• Masterclasses

• SOA/Fullana Residency

• Special Events

Classical Kid Concerts

Classical Kids Concerts are 45-minute programs brought directly to elementary schools for students. Each program in­cludes an introduction to the musicians and their instruments, a selection of sing-along songs, and a children’s story set to music, with images displayed on a screen.

For the 2023-2024 school year, CMC set the ac­claimed children’s story “Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln” to music for a program focusing on Hispanic musicians’ influence on classical music.  This program was presented at various Johns Island Schools, and in a public performance at the College of Charleston Sottile Theatre in September.

Throughout the season CMC also presented “The Night Before Christmas” and “Peter and the Wolf” for a large public performance at Sottile Theatre.

CMC TWO

Members of CMC TWO (High School string student participants) participate in weekly activities including self-guided rehearsals, coachings with the professional musicians of CMC, and masterclasses.

We will be accepting applications to participate in the Spring 2026 CMC TWO session until December 1, 2025.

Masterclasses

Visiting guest artist work with accomplished student musicians as they work on challenging repertoire. 2025-2026 season Masterclasses include classes with cellist Alan Rafferty, violinist Daniel Ching, violinist Philip Setzer, and pianist Michael Stephen Brown.

SOA Residency

In March, 2026 guest violinist Francisco Fullana will arrive in Charleston to work with SOA Sinfonietta students in an exciting program of music for string orchestra. For this year only, there will not be a public performance.

Student Tickets

We are pleased to provide discounted tickets for students…and their parents!  Enjoy any of our Ovation Concerts for only $10!

Become an Education Investor

We need your support! The CMC Youth Chamber Music Initiative is fully supported by contributions and grants.  As an investor in this program, you will receive opportunities to observe the program in action to see first-hand how music can bring about positive change in the community.

This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This project is also supported by funding provided to the South Carolina Arts Commission from a partnership with the S.C. Department of Education from American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds.