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CAP Students Perform at Carnegie Hall in 2023 Crescendo International Music Competition

CAP is pleased to announce the CAP String Orchestra Trio was awarded first prize in the ensemble category at the Crescendo International Music Competition (CIC), a youth music nonprofit that aims to inspire individuals to pursue their passion for music. As prize winners, the students were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City Saturday evening, February 18, 2023.

Students Daija (12th grade, Douglas Anderson), Chloe (10th grade, Douglas Anderson), and Marielly (6th Grade, River City Science Academy) are members of the CAP String Orchestra, funded by Kids Hope Alliance, which is an ensemble of current and former CAP string students who collaborate, perform and further their understanding of classical and contemporary music. The trio performed an excerpt from Frank Bridge’s Miniatures. This is the second consecutive year CAP students have performed at the internationally renowned venue. The trio’s high score also qualified them to apply for participation in CIC’s International Student Exchange Program which will take place in Japan, Sweden and Finland later this year.

Photo courtesy of Crescendo International Music Competition

“I thoroughly enjoyed playing at Carnegie Hall,” said Daija. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget! It was also my first time visiting New York City and it was so exciting to see the Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center, among many other sites.”

CIC competitions allow performers to maximize their potential and serve as a professional setting for aspiring musicians to showcase their talents at prestigious concert halls worldwide. Performers are also presented with an invaluable opportunity to interact with other musicians and learn essential life lessons such as having the confidence to get back up after stumbling.

“Experiences like the CIC competition are invaluable to our students by providing a glimpse into the professional world of career artists and the hard work and self-discipline that is required to excel,” said CAP President & CEO Rev. Kimberly L. Hyatt. “As we celebrate 30 years of providing students access to arts education, it is wonderful to see young artists reaching their dreams at the highest levels.”

The Crescendo International Music Competition is a youth music competition held annually since 2007. There are two rounds of competitions – auditions and winners’ recitals. Auditions were held both by video submission and in person throughout the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia in November and December. Based on the audition performance, judges assigned a score that determined a contestant’s placement. Winners of the audition round were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, which can confirm or change the results received in the audition round. Grand prize winners will be announced by the end of March 2023.


About Crescendo International Music Competition:
The mission of Crescendo International Music Competition (CIC) is to inspire individuals to pursue their passion for music through involvement in competitions, master classes and other educational programs. CIC’s vision of placing performers at the center of the process distinguishes it from other music competitions. CIC’s objective is not simply to select the best musicians, but to reward those who demonstrate a passion for music and show considerable progress, talent and unwavering dedication. CIC is driven by the belief that music is one of the greatest gifts and is proud to be one of the few organizations that supports children with disabilities.

Through the generous sponsorship of PNC Bank, CAP partnered with MOSH today for an exciting and fun event! CAP families enjoyed an arts integrated celebration and exploration of science, nature and the St. John’s River. Through activities like storytelling, acting, making music and creating visual art, we celebrated our community’s most valuable resources, our children and our environment! Special thanks to our CAP team, volunteers and @thejessiejax @kidshopealliancejax @pncfoundation @stuartstotts @moshjax  #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed ✨
Countless studies reinforce what we see every day—children who participate in the arts consistently show striking improvement in class participation and academic achievement, grow in their ability to communicate effectively, and gain the insights, empathy and language needed to understand themselves, others and the world around them. Visit capkids.org for information about how you can help support our #artsed mission. #CAPkidsJax #TheArtsAddUp
CAP instructs, instills and inspires through a variety of offerings including afterschool, school day and summer programs, cultural experiences, advocacy, community partnerships and professional development.

Through CAP programs, children and young adults receive quality, standards-based instruction in dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Learn more about our #artsed programs at capkids.org.
#CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp
"The most important thing I learned in my CAP class is to inspire other kids and follow your dreams." From students to stakeholders - the commitment to CAP’s long-running programs is due to the compelling nature of our curriculum, the quality of our local teaching artists and the desire of children and families to embrace education in the arts as a means of fostering true change in their lives. Learn more about our programs at capkids.org. #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed
CAP’s vision is for Northeast Florida to lead the nation in providing essential and accessible arts education that recognizes, grows and amplifies every child’s unique skills and strengths. 

The driving force behind all CAP programs is the belief that the arts matter—they provide essential skills, like creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork and self-discipline that benefit all people in all areas of their lives. 
Visit capkids.org for more info. #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp
Artistic expression communicates the feelings, preferences, interests and experiences of the artist. Arts education provides children with essential tools to communicate more clearly, providing insight into a better understanding of each other and themselves. Learn more about our #artsed programs and our mission to inspire the creative spirit in every child at capkids.org. #TheArtsAddUp #artsed #CAPkidsjax
Did you know? Arts learning improves cognitive development in children, including verbal communication attentions skills and memory retrieval that also apply to other subject areas. 

Learn more about how you can support CAP’s mission to empower every child’s creative spirit, elevate arts educators in their field and advocate for access and equity in arts education by visiting our link in bio. 
#TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed
Arts learning improves cognitive development, verbal communication, attention skills and memory retrieval. CAP's sensory arts program at Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center inspires growth in these areas and beyond.  Learn more about how you can contribute to our mission to empower every child’s creative spirit, elevate arts educators in their field & advocate for access and equity in arts education by clicking the link in our bio. #TheArtsMatter #CAPkidsJax #artsed
Did you know? The arts add up to increased graduation rates, a stronger economy and more creative individuals equipped to solve the challenges of tomorrow. Learn more about why #TheArtsAddUp and how you can support CAP's mission by visiting the link in our bio. #CAPkidsjax  #artsed
Learning any art form allows children and youth to gain essential skills like creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork, and self-discipline that benefit them in all areas of their life. The arts provide experiences that are personally enriching, building the confidence and character children need to excel. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about how CAP instructs, instills, and inspires students in our community!  #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed
“We all have dreams, but making dreams come to life takes a lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort—that is the most important lesson I’ve learned through CAP.”

Every child has a creative spirit. For some, it comes alive through the visual arts: turning blank pages and digital canvases into expressions of hope. For others, it breathes through their bodies – transforming notes, choreography, and words into personal statements of joy.
 
Children develop the technical skills to prepare for these moments through instruction in the arts. Along the way, the arts develop their unique strengths – like self-confidence, creative thinking, self-respect, empathy and perseverance. Learn more at the link in our bio.

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