Introduction
Powers Music School is a regional, not-for-profit institution established in 1964 to provide superior music instruction and performance opportunities to all interested students. Each year the School also provides musical outreach opportunities in the community through programs such as Belmont Open Sings, the Stein Chamber Music Festival, the Peter Elvins Vocal Competition, and the Mildred P. Freiberg Piano Festival. 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 2010-2011, the School worked with over 1,000 students who traveled from 50 surrounding communities. In addition, Powers gave over 70 student recitals/community performances.
Historical Timeline
| 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 is mailed town-wide. |
| 1969 |
Private instrumental lessons are offered for the first time. |
| 1970 |
249 students are enrolled in instructional program. |
| 1971 |
First centralized office and telephone system, located at Plymouth Congregational Church |
| 1973 |
Committee adopts the name Belmont Music School. |
| 1974 |
Belmont Music School incorporates. |
| 1975 |
Belmont Music School receives non-profit status. |
| 1981 |
Belmont Music School receives $30,000 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. |
| 1988 |
Belmont Music School takes on its new name of Powers Music School. |
| 1990 |
Powers Music School begins renovation of its new location at 380 Concord Avenue, Belmont.
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| 1997 |
Powers Music School fully computerizes its database and financial records. |
| 1998 |
Powers opens its Lexington branch. |
| 1999 |
Powers starts the popular Keys for Kids group keyboard program. |
| 2004 |
The 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 Avenue in 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. |
| 2008 |
Gift of a Steinway B Grand Piano by Malcolm Freiberg and the Ellison Family |
| 2009 |
Concert and reception to honor the 90th birthday of Ellen Powers, a founder of the School |
| 2009 |
Powers announces the inception of the Ellen Huff Powers Music Competition, which awards merit-based scholarships.
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| 2010 |
Premiere of the Musical Story Program, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, plus a performance of Willie Was Different, both written by the acclaimed composer Seymour Barab
Gift of a Kawaii Grand Piano by Claudia Davidoff |
| 2011 |
Gift of a Steinway M Grand Piano by the estate of John Warren
Gift of a Steinway Grand Piano by Anne Warner
September 2011: Grand Opening of the new Music Pups Program for infants through 4-year-olds
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