Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative Paves Path for Social Justice Through Music

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Education

On Friday, October 9, the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) welcomed 55 new fellows to its program, complementing the 38 returning second-year fellows. These 93 students, representing 55 zip codes from across the greater Chicago area, met with CMPI staff members over Zoom to learn about its mission – to identify and develop gifted and motivated orchestral students from underrepresented backgrounds for acceptance into top-tier conservatory, college or university classical music programs in preparation for careers as professional musicians.

Now in its second full season, CMPI addresses the persistent lack of diversity in American orchestras – a condition that threatens the vitality and viability of classical music. The result of a $3.5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, CMPI builds a Chicago-area training pathway for talented student musicians, from grades 6-12. The project focuses on instrumental students who previously have demonstrated aptitude and interest in pursuing intensive studies and careers in classical music. The class of new fellows was chosen from 152 applicants after completing an intensive multi-month audition process. Learn more about all the fellows at chicagopathways.org/fellows. Learn more at chicagopathways.org/events/.

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Education

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