Letter from Karl Berger; CMS Day at Columbia

UPDATE (February 20, 2011):

Hi, All. Although Karl mentions below that there were tentative plans afoot for a CMS party and festival in Woodstock on April 18, those plans have been scrapped. There will be no CMS events in Woodstock on April 18.

April 18 will be the first of a series of CMS-style workshop performances at The Stone in NYC. Stay tuned to CMS Update at http://arborville.com for more information on that series.
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Dear Friends,

It is a long time since the CMS days, yet it feels just like yesterday. It's been great to reconnect with so many of you, as we strive to complete the CMS Archive Project. Over 100 tapes have been re-mastered by Ted Orr, with more than 300 to go. It is exhilarating to listen to all this music in the process. There is truly nothing like this anywhere else.

I'm writing to share some great news:

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011 WILL BE 'CMS DAY' AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK. Throughout the day, four panels will explore the oral histories and musical implications of the Creative Music Studio. Our desire is to involve as many of you as possible (and not just those who live in New York), sharing your CMS Stories and memories, which will be recorded and used for an upcoming book as part of the CMS Archive Project.

On Sunday, April 17, 2011 I will lead a Student Ensemble from the Columbia Jazz Studies Program in a concert at Columbia University's Miller Theater, reminiscent of our orchestra sessions at CMS in Woodstock and around the world. And, depending on your response, we might conclude the weekend with a CMS Party-Festival on Monday evening, April 18, 2011 in Woodstock, where all of us can get another wonderful chance to play together again.

If we are to preserve the spirit of CMS, time is of the essence. We all are growing older, but hopefully our fond memories of CMS are not. We need your active help to keep the CMS spirit and legacy alive. Please help to:

• Connect us with all former participants at CMS

• Join our membership/subscription program

• Pass the membership/subscription info on to your contacts and friends

• Lead us to radio and press contacts in your area

• Be in touch with your personal ideas and suggestions on how we can re-invigorate CMS.
  

Once again, we're facing enormous financial pressure and cannot rely on outside support. We've tried grants and fundraising without much success. So now it's time to turn to you; we need to make it happen ourselves. If your time at CMS gave you something unforgettable, now is the time to give thanks by giving back to CMS, helping support the Archive Project as described above. With your renewed energy, the CMS spirit and legacy will live on.

I am eager to hear from you soon.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Karl Berger
creativemusic@verizon.net
http://www.creativemusicstudio.org/