Music in the Mountains (MIM) presented their annual Gala on Friday, October 25th at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City and raised over $100,000 for children’s education and music programs, and world-class orchestra concerts for our community.
“MIM was founded more than 40 years ago with a mission to bring high-quality music programming to Nevada County, driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to a music education and concert programming,” said Tim Geckle, Chair of MIM’s Board of Directors. “It takes an ensemble of people and an inspired community to ensure our work continues to impact the lives of young people in our community who would otherwise have no music education at school.” The event was attended by more than 100 people celebrating MIM’s dedication to music education, school programming, and world-class orchestra concerts.
MIM has stepped up to fill the gaps where budget cuts have left Nevada County schools in need of music education and classes for young people. MIM presents music programs to more than 700 students in Nevada County schools and offers a Carnegie Hall based curriculum with the Music for Young Minds program to school children in grades K-8. Additionally, MIM works with students learning to play an instrument with after-school strings classes and gives students the opportunity to experience an orchestra setting with their Youth Orchestra.
Of course, what better way to celebrate MIM’s work than to see the students in action? After a presentation by Artist Director Ryan Murray, and a delicious dinner, guests enjoyed a beautiful performance from the Music in the Mountains Youth Orchestra (MIMYO). The region’s only youth orchestra, directed by Shannon Devir, brought the house down with a heart-warming rendition of “A Million Dreams” from the blockbuster musical movie “The Greatest Showman.”
Young Concert Master, Micah Gordon, addressed the audience after the performance. “I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to play the violin.” Getting choked up, he paused and then added, “It is because of people like you that I’ve had the opportunity to play in an orchestra.” Music education and appreciation not only pave the way for lifelong music enjoyment, also enhances brain development, confidence, creativity and a host of other developmental and emotional areas of growth.
Music in the Mountains is supported by the community. MIM’s repertoire and music performances include guest artists and soloists from around the world but MIM is still very much a community-based organization supported by people and small businesses from Nevada County and surrounding communities. The event was sponsored by a number of generous local businesses and people including Foothill Flowers, Smarter Broadband, Stucki Jewelers, Weiss Landscaping and many more.
Music in the Mountains is a Platinum-Star-Rated 501(c)3 non-profit organization celebrating more than 40 years of performing and producing classical music in Nevada County and providing music education in our schools. Music in the Mountains supports an auditioned community chorus, several annual concert performances, a youth orchestra, music education in classrooms for grades K-8, after school programs, and more. Join the community in celebrating music with MIM. For more information call 530-265-6124 or email info@musicinthemountains.org. Always open at www.musicinthemountains.org