ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Are you one of the thousands of area residents who studied music at the Eastman School’s Preparatory Department (now the Eastman Community Music School)? If you are, Eastman wants to hear from you.
Eastman is asking graduates to call the Eastman Community Music School at 585/274-1400 or to visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community for further details and to leave their contact information. The School is planning special events for graduates who attended the Preparatory Department during the 1930s through 1970s. Events include a reception, which will take place during the upcoming Eastman Weekend in October as well as talks and presentations early next year.
“We believe that being in touch with our alumni will help us measure the long term impact of our mission,” says Howard Potter, Associate Dean for Community and Continuing Education. “Making connections with alumni is one way to bring the school full circle giving us a truer direction for the future.”
When the Eastman School of Music first opened in downtown Rochester in 1921, a world center for the study of music and the training of professional musicians was established. The Eastman Community Music School (first known as the “Preparatory Department and later as the “Community Education Division”) was created at the same time, and continues to be an integral part of the Eastman School. George Eastman’s vision was to create both a world-class professional music school, as well as a community music school dedicated to the musical education of the residents of the greater Rochester area.
Today, the Eastman Community Music School offers an array of music instruction including private lessons, classroom studies and hands-on musical training for youth and adults, high-quality pre-collegiate preparation and numerous performance opportunities.
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