Information for Student Groups

Catskills Wind Quintet at the Anderson Academy

Music For All Kick-Off Event: Play Out

On Saturday, January 30, 2027, members of Play Out, founded and led by Eastman alumna Caitlin Sullivan, will demonstrate how they engage with audiences in a mock school presentation / performance.

One of the earliest recipients of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect Fellowship, Caitlin Sullivan discovered her passion for arts advocacy, and has been nurturing her skill for developing interactive concerts ever since. She has been a teaching artist for numerous ensembles including Decoda and the New York Philharmonic, and creates environments that encourage personal connections to classical and contemporary music. Formerly the Director of Education Programming for The Knights, Caitlin designed over a dozen interactive family concerts performed at the Clark Art Institute, Museum of Art and Design, Lighthouse Works on Fishers Island, as well as the Queens Theater and Brooklyn Children’s Museum as part of the WQXR Classical Kids Fair. As the founder of Play Out, Caitlin is dedicating her time to creating interactive, multi-generational performances around the country, and to sharing what she knows with emerging young artists.

Why Participate in Music For All?

The main goal of Music For All is for Eastman musicians and various audiences to connect through a shared music experience and to build meaningful relationships between the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester community over time.

“A performance requires three basic but essential elements that makes it a living art form: the music (the material), the performer (the interpreter), and the audience (the active listener). Musicians spend a tremendous amount of time studying the scores and perfecting their craft. However, it is difficult for many to explain what they do or talk about their repertoire in a way that can be understood by anyone. Finding commonality between their audience, their repertoire, and themselves is a very important skill for musicians to develop in order to build meaningful relationships with their community and to keep classical music relevant today and in the future.”

— Sylvie Beaudette, Music For All coordinator

Timeline

Mid-January: Communication to Chamber Music students about the upcoming Music For All program. Invitation to fill out the groups online form.
January 30: Kick-off event with Caitlin Sullivan and Play Out. RWR from 2:00 to 3:00 pm OR 3:00 to 4:00 pm (students choose their preferred time)
January 31: Masterclass with Caitlin Sullivan and Play Out. Time & location TBA
January 31: Deadline to submit groups form.
Mid-February: Hosts and groups receive their “pairing” assignments
February 28: Deadline to submit groups’ outlines
Early and mid-March: Presentation run-throughs (string groups & string-piano groups will have set dates; woodwinds & brass groups schedule w/ their coaches)
March-April: Music For All school and/or community performances. Survey feedback from venues and groups.

Links and Resources

Groups Online Form

Eric Booth: The Need to Connect with Audiences

The Connected Musician homepage

Public Speaking Tips

More opportunities for community engagement:

Celentano Award: gives string quartets more opportunities to perform in the community
IML Mentorship Grant: supports community engagement activities
Certificate of Achievement in Chamber Music: includes a capstone project involving multiple visits and engagement with a specific community group

Music For All — Student Groups Survey

Information for Student Groups

Music For All Kick-Off Event: Play Out

Why Participate in Music For All?

Timeline

Links and Resources

Quick Links