FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montclair Early Music Secures Fourth Consecutive Essex County Grant to Support Music Education and Performance
MONTCLAIR, New Jersey – January 19, 2024 – Montclair Early Music (MEM), a nonprofit organization that brings history to life through music for people of all ages and abilities, has received its fourth consecutive grant from the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. This division is dedicated to enhancing opportunities and fostering awareness of the dynamic arts and history community in Essex County.
Generously provided by Essex County and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the grant will provide vital support for Montclair Early Music's ongoing commitment to fostering artistic excellence and making impactful contributions to the local arts community. The funding will enable MEM to produce high-quality music education and performance programs and initiatives, bringing the transformative power of music to a broader audience, including the continuation of its acclaimed free and low-cost music lessons for third- and fourth-grade students.
“We are grateful to Essex County for their sustaining support of our growth over the last four years, which allows us to continue bringing unique multicultural and historical programs to our community and enables us to expand our RecorderKids program and create new opportunities for inter-generational learning and group performance,” said Julienne Pape, executive director of Montclair Early Music.
MEM’s unique program seamlessly integrates history and culture with music, providing young musicians with an immersive and enriching experience. Children collaborate with adults to perform in an intergenerational concert at the conclusion of a six-week session.
Montclair Early Music aims to make the joy of playing a musical instrument accessible to individuals of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and abilities. The grant will contribute to expanding the impact of MEM’s inclusive musical programs, including extending MEM’s offerings to adults through an adult beginner class in partnership with the Montclair Adult School.
Media Contact: Julienne Pape, Founder and Executive Director, MEM, 973-932-0424, juliennepape@montclairearlymusic.org
About Montclair Early Music
Montclair Early Music (MEM) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization composed of amateur and professional musicians seeking to provide opportunities for all people to play music together regardless of age, race, or sexual orientation. Established in 2010 by Julienne Pape, Montclair Early Music offers free and low-cost classes and produces musical performances to make early music accessible to all communities. Recent performances include “Feliz Navidad, celebrating Spanish and Latin American holiday music” (December 2023), “Rainbow Rhapsody, celebrating Pride Month“ (June 2023), “Terpsichore, celebrating women composers” (March 2023), “Jubilee, celebrating Black composers” (February 2023 ), “Music in Early America” (September 11, 2022), “Joyeaux Noel” (December 2022), “A French Masque” (October 2020), “Christmas in Italy” (December 2019), “Wassail Holiday Concert” (January 2019), “The Musical World of William Shakespeare” (October 2018), “St. George & the Dragon” (December 2017), and “Robin Hood at the May Faire” (May 2017). For more information, visit montclairearlymusic.org.