Etched on the façade of Eastman Theatre is the phrase, “for the enrichment of community life”—a value that has been at the core of Eastman’s identity for over 100 years. When George Eastman purchased the property where the School of Music and theatre now stand, one of his primary goals was to provide the citizens of Rochester with a place to study, make, and enjoy music. That goal remains unchanged.
This year, one of the school’s most successful community programs make its triumphant return.
Music For All is back!
After a brief hiatus (and a short period where the program was known as “Eastman To Go”), Music For All (MFA) returns this spring with Eastman’s Assistant Professor of Chamber Music Dr. Sylvie Beaudette serving as program coordinator.
Since its inception 30 years ago, MFA has sent out student chamber music groups to perform for diverse audiences in nontraditional settings, including schools, libraries, community centers, day centers for people with various abilities, and senior residences. Concert Manager Andy Green and Professor of Harp Kathleen Bride launched the program in 1995 and recruited eight volunteer chamber music groups for its inaugural season.
The Kilbourn Quartet engages with young audience members at the Brighton Library.
“The general idea was to get students out into the public and into the community, to talk about music, to explain what they were doing to audiences who have not been engaged before,” said Bride.
Many other faculty members have led the program since, including John Graham, the Ying Quartet, Elinor Freer, Petar Kodzas, and Mark Kellogg (during the Eastman To Go era).
“Student’s have the chance to experience playing music in different contexts,” said David Ying, Associate Professor of String Chamber Music and Associate Professor of Violoncello. “If you perform thinking about the audience and not yourself, you also hear the music through the audience’s ears and what they notice by talking to them.”
In its early days, Eastman was the only collegiate music school requiring chamber music students to participate in community performances as part of their curriculum. Over time, other music schools and conservatories across the United States and Canada took note and developed their own community engagement programs and certificates.
The Eastman School of Music and the Chamber Music Department have revived MFA on its 30th anniversary because the future of music lies in the musicians’ ability to communicate what they do in a way that engages various audiences.
“Students are learning how to cook or prepare a meal,” says Petar Kodzas, Associate Dean and Director, Eastman Community Music School, “but they also have to learn how to serve it. Students need to learn how to give music a future. That is not just being able to learn and memorize music, but also learning how to go out and make it attractive.”
In March 2025, Hamlin Public School had a visit from the Coalescence Jazz Sextet.
In 2025, 63 Eastman chamber music groups (including brass, woodwind, saxophone and reeds, strings and piano, and jazz among others) will perform at 83 venues across the Rochester metropolitan area—a significant increase from where the program began. Approximately 265 students will present a total of 124 concerts during March (as part of “Music in Our Schools” month) and April.
“I cannot wait to hear back from Eastman students and participating host venues after this year’s Music For All season!” said Dr. Sylvie Beaudette. “When coordinating Eastman To Go, I especially enjoyed witnessing and hearing about those special moments that literally can change lives. We want this program to be beneficial for both musicians and audiences alike. Composers, performers, and audiences form a necessary triangle to experience music. We need all three sides.”
For more information about Music For All, please contact Dr. Sylvie Beaudette, Music For All Coordinator: sbeaudette@esm.rochester.edu or (585) 274-1415.