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Mayor proclaims Sunday, June 7, 2015 to be Community Music Center Day in Portland

The following Resolution was adopted by City Council on Wednesday, June 3.  Join us for the 60th Anniversary Celebration on June 7.

"WHEREAS, the City of Portland encourages and supports public/private partnership programs that offer arts education at affordable cost; and

WHEREAS, it is the mission of Portland Parks & Recreation to provide and coordinate recreation services and programs that contribute to the health and well-being of residents of all ages and abilities, especially youth; and

WHEREAS, in 1955, under the leadership of Portland Parks & Recreation Director Dorothea Lensch and Program Director Robert Crowley, music classes began at Knott Street Community Center (now called Matt Dishman Community Center); and

WHEREAS, Community Music Center Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 1960,  provides need-based scholarships, low-cost instrument rentals, music library, and supplements the City’s general fund now by over $100,000 a year, allowing affordable access to high-quality music education for hundreds of students; and

WHEREAS, the City/non-profit partnership at CMC now serves almost 1000 youth and adult participants a week in music classes and activities, and hosts over 4,500 attendees at more than 150 diverse, free and low-cost musical performances each year; and

WHEREAS, the Community Music Center Inc. has commissioned a book to be written about the history of the Community Music Center, due to be released June 7, 2015; and

WHEREAS, the students, instructors, alumni and volunteers of the Community Music Center celebrate the 60th anniversary with a performance festival and community event at Reed College on June 7, 2015

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, Charlie Hales, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 7, 2015 to be Community Music Center Day in Portland and encourage all citizens to recognize and support CMC for its important work and contributions to Portland arts and culture."

Photo: Commissioner Amanda Fritz with CMC Director Gregory Dubay in Council Chambers holding Mayor's proclamation.