Our work challenges stereotypes and preconceptions, affirms, and uplifts. When we hear audience members say our music defied their expectations or broadened their worldview, or that they felt their culture was affirmed and uplifted, we know we’re fulfilling our mission. Indeed, over 90% of our audience members last year reported having found something unexpected, having learned something, and either feeling that their own culture was affirmed and uplifted, or wanting to learn more about the featured culture. We reach 8000 people in-person and 80,000 people online annually through 60 performances each year in community centers, schools, museums, cultural centers, universities, and out in the community.
The following are testimonials from community members:
” I first met CBM when they released a call for scores for composers with disabilities. I had never seen a call for scores of this kind prior to this and I was thrilled to apply if only to applaud their important effort. To my shock, my quartet was selected and true to their word CBM supplied not only a live-streamed showcase of my work along with the work of other composers with disabilities, but also the single highest quality audio+video recording I have ever received from an ensemble (all during the height of COVID!). My work has been performed by many opera companies, university ensembles, and professional ensembles and no one has eclipsed the level of caring, attention to detail, and genuine financial+time investment in my music that CBMhad. Stunningly, each piece on the program was given that same level of care.” – Karen Brown, composer, euphoniumist, didgeridoo player, and programmer.
“No words can express our gratitude for your love and devotion in promoting Haitian classical music to a much broader audience.” – Gifrants and Marie-Elise Lebon on behalf of the Haitian Flag Day Celebration Committee (pictured above: CBM invited to perform in celebration of Haitian Flag Day)
“Crossing Borders Music was a jumpstart for me in my compositional career, and I’m thrilled we have an ongoing, warm relationship. Their work is rooted in a genuine understanding and embracing of different and shared cultures, and this applies to each artist as well as each audience member.” – Rylan Gleave, composer and performer
“Our collaborative partnership has provided both organizations opportunities to gain insight into working with the community and the power and the role of music in community’s storytelling and healing. On many occasions, the newly arranged Cambodian music pieces are performed intertwining with stories told by community members, who lived through the Cambodian genocide. These performances with the community members could not have been done without Crossing Borders Music’s respect of and commitment to the community. Both the community and the museum treasure our partnership with Crossing Borders Music. We look forward to working with Crossing Borders Music and its musicians, to making many more music and performances together, and to inspiring each other through music and stories.” – Kaoru Watanabe, Associate Director of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial
“For two years, I’ve been part of the Young Composers Crossing Borders Music Program, creating original music for a live quartet. Hearing my ideas come alive through talented musicians has been one of the most exciting and inspiring experiences I’ve ever had.” – Kennedy, Young Composers Project participant
