Announcing February 22, 2018 as PCM ROCKS DAY!
February 2017
Phoenix, Arizona
It’s official. February 22, 2018 is PCM Rocks Day! Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation from the State of Arizona and named the day of PCM’s Platinum Anniversary Celebration, February 22, 2018 as PCM Rocks Day. The proclamation further calls upon all citizens to render support to the …organization and to make themselves aware of Phoenix Conservatory of Music.
What did this amazing organization do to get its own day declared by the State of Arizona?
15-year-old pianist and composer Michael Rodrigues says, “PCM is a place that provides opportunities that I would not be able to have without this program. It is a place that provides knowledgeable teachers that want to see students succeed in their dreams, whether it is music or not.”
It has been an incredible journey for Phoenix Conservatory of Music, a Phoenix based nonprofit community school of music with a very big reach. Founded in 1998, Phoenix Conservatory of Music has served over 18,000 students across the valley in its 20-year history and is committed to providing our community with quality music education recognized on a city, state and national level that is affordable and accessible.
Every student with a desire to learn has the opportunity to learn. With programs that build a pipeline of critical skill sets in music education and helping student become college and career ready though creative youth development, Phoenix Conservatory of Music is training not only musicians, but future community leaders whose time with the organization not only teaches musicianship but 21st century skill sets like collaboration, perseverance, resilience and innovation in young people.
The organization is a hub of creative energy that provides a safe place where young people feel emboldened to take risks and make mistakes without fear of censure and gives them opportunities to be productive in their time away from school, making a stronger, more vibrant community!
The organization offers after school programs at school sites throughout the valley and at their facility inside Metrocenter Mall provides students of all ages with group music classes, private music lessons and a very unique College Preparatory Program that developed with a strong partnership with the Berklee College of Music’s City Music Network.
PCM’s College Prep Program serves on average 110 students per year. In the last seven years, this program has had a 95% high school graduation rate (compared to 86% in our local community), 71% go to college or university, 43% study music or music related fields, and they have cumulatively earned over $1M in scholarship offers. In November, at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. the nation’s top cultural agencies honored the best Creative Youth Development programs from over 350 nominations from across the country for their work in providing excellent arts and humanities learning opportunities to young people. Three of Phoenix’s own students had the honor of traveling to our Nation’s Capital to The Phoenix Conservatory of Music as it was recognized with a 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award and two students performed for the ceremony and were the ONLY two students to perform at this prestigious ceremony in Washington DC. The award was presented by The National Endowment for the Arts and their partners.
As if all of this was not enough- now the organization gets its own day. “This day is a rallying point for our community”, says Nixon, “to give those who want to learn more the opportunity to engage and learn, and hopefully support the organization. It is so important that we get individuals to invest into our students, so these young people are getting the training and care that they need in a supportive and safe environment.”
“The students are getting opportunities to enhance their education with opportunities and experiences that would otherwise not always be available to them, they have a safe place that creates opportunities for risky innovation,collaboration, and social interaction. It is a life changing experience for students, but in order to keep offering these experiences, we have to have the community’s support.”
Tickets, just $50 (for robust appetizers, wine, CD, concert and dessert) can be purchased online at: https://goo.gl/ojUJtC. Can’t come to the event? Remember… The proclamation further calls upon all citizens to render support to the …organization and to make themselves aware of Phoenix Conservatory of Music. If guests are not able to attend, but want to support the mission of the organization, donations can be made online at: https://goo.gl/cfWrr3
Nixon says, “Two things that people can do that will make an immediate difference for the organization and the lives of the students we serve is to support by making a donation online at PCMrocks.org and to spread the word.”
About Phoenix Conservatory of Music:
Phoenix Conservatory of Music provides a continuum of high quality music education and experiences to hundreds of students annually, with programs ranging from introductory level in-house education programs and after school programs to more advanced private lessons and the most prestigious College Prep Program for contemporary music education in the state: The Berklee College of Music’s City Music Network and P.U.L.S.E. programs. They are a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide quality music education that is affordable and accessible. They receive contributed income to make sure that all students have access to music education, regardless of their socio-economic status and were granted status as a Qualifying Charitable Organization for the Arizona State Tax Credit. Since the inception of PCM’s College Prep Program in 2010, the program is providing a pathway for students to achieve their dreams- one note at a time. With 3-10 hours per week of low to no cost engagement, the organization provides students 4-12 grades with private music lessons, music theory classes, enrichment classes and Popular Music Ensembles. They have a 95% graduation rate (compared to an 86% in the local community and a 77% in the state), 71% go on to college or university, 43% of those students are studying music or music related fields, and they have earned more than $1 Million Dollars in Scholarship Offers. To learn more, please visit www.PCMrocks.org or call 602.353.9900.
