HISTORY

INTRODUCTION

Powers Music School is a regional, not-for-profit institution established in 1964 to provide superior musical instruction and performance opportunities to all interested students. Each year the School also provides musical outreach opportunities in the community through programs such as the Stein Chamber Music Festival, Belmont Open Sings, Mildred P. Freiberg Piano Festival, and the Peter Elvins Vocal Competition. The founding principles, that all students are entitled to high-quality musical instruction and that music is an essential part of our lives and belongs in the community, continue to guide the School today. During 2006-2007, the School worked with over 1,100 students who traveled from 50 surrounding communities. In addition, Powers gave over 60 student recitals/community performances. Over 4,400 individuals attended these programs.

Historical Time Line

1964	Music Committee of the Belmont Community Center sponsors Piano Festival
1965	Music Committee sponsors recorder classes and Junior Orchestra
1966	First Music Committee brochure describing classes and community activities mailed town-wide
1969	Private instrumental lessons offered for the first time
1970	249 students enrolled in instructional program
1971	First centralized office and telephone located at Plymouth Congregational Church
1973	Committee adopts the name Belmont Music School
1974	BMS incorporates
1975	BMS receives non-profit status
1981	BMS receives $30,000 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
1988	BMS takes on its new name of Powers Music School
1990	Powers Music School begins renovation of its new 380 Concord Avenue Belmont location
1997	PMS fully computerizes its database and financial records.
1998	Powers opens its Lexington branch
1999	Powers starts the popular Keys for Kids program
2004	Joseph Stein Chamber Music Festival expands to 2 concerts
2004	Powers closes its Lexington branch in August in its first step towards the School's new expanded Belmont campus strategy. Powers staff moves into its administrative offices at 396 Concord Ave. Belmont. (5 building locations with separate administrative office building)
2005	Anonymous donor pledges to match each dollar contributed to a maximum of $10,000
2006	1st Annual Peter Elvins Vocal Competition
2007	The Belmont Piano Festival is renamed the Mildred P. Freiberg Piano Festival in honor of Mildred P. Freiberg, a founder of the School and former Board President.