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• Our Legacy Affinity Group

  • Start
    February 01, 2024
  •  
  • End
    June 06, 2024
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    online

  
  

  As part of the Affinity Group initiative during the 2020 Annual Conference, Ruth Pelham and Kim Wallach offered a session to explore how best to make members’ “bodies of work” available for the next generation. Over 30 people attended and there was lively discussion, creative ideas and a wish to continue the discussion beyond this single meeting. On the second Thursday of each month, the conversation will pick up where it left off!

  This group will share information and skills, give and receive support as we explore ways to ensure our work lives on in the world. Focus areas will include legal, emotional, technology, financial, creativity and other issues that emerge. The group will continue to meet on a regular basis as it decides for as long as there is demand and interest.

  We meet the first Thursday of each month, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm ET online.
  

  This group is open to CMN Members only.  Contact us at office@cmnonline.org to register.

  For more information including notes from the session, contact Ruth Pelham or Kim Wallach.

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• Hip-Hop Affinity Group

  • Start
    March 25, 2024
  •  
  • End
    June 24, 2024
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Virtual via Zoom
  • Registered
    52 registrants

  Register

  
  

  HipHop is happening -- Join Us!

  We meet on the last Monday of each month.

  This group is open to current CMNers and non-members. Non-members contact us (office@cmnonline.org) for a registration code.

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• Library Affinity Group

  • Start
    April 01, 2024
  •  
  • End
    July 01, 2024
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Registered
    51 registrants

  Register

  
  

  The Library Affinity Group is open to everyone who is interested in libraries as a space for children’s and community programming. Topics for discussion may include the role of music in library programs, building relationships between artists and libraries, and current issues in the world of librarianship. 

  Join Evalyn Harper the first Monday of each month at 7:30pm ET. (If a Monday holiday, the second Monday)
  

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• Songwriting Feedback Circle

  • Start
    April 09, 2024
  •  
  • End
    July 16, 2024
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Online
  • Registered
    32 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Bring a song-in-progress and get constructive feedback and ideas for improvement from other CMN songwriters (and give feedback to others in turn). Songs can be at any stage in the writing process, but should not be 100% finished and polished. We will use a process adapted from a couple of Philadelphia area songwriting groups. This AG will motivate us to write more songs, and help us to raise the quality of our songs for children & families.

  This is not the type of AG that you need to plan to come to regularly - just attend whenever you have a song that you would like to get feedback on. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm ET online.

  This group is open to CMNers (no charge) and non-members ($25).  Non-members contact us at office@cmnonline.org for a registration code.

  For more contact David Heitler-Klevans or Monty Harper, co-facilitators.

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• Early Childhood Affinity Group Songswaps & Social Gatherings

  • Start
    April 18, 2024
  •  
  • End
    July 18, 2024
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    online
  • Registered
    84 registrants

  Register

  

  When it comes to children, it all starts somewhere: EARLY CHILDHOOD!! And there’s only one place in the Children’s Music Network where early childhood (ages 0-8) is the sole focus, and that’s the new Early Childhood Affinity Group!

  Co-hosts Marty Long (of Preschool Rockstar) and Paul Oliphant (of Mr. Elephant) are excited to bring you a virtual space to share ideas and songs and revel in each other’s successes, all while being in a safe space free of judgment and bad vibes. Monthly themes make for fun and pertinent song swaps each month, and other topics such as music and video production, animation, puppets, props, etc. are often discussed among the members. It’s a fun and vivacious place to share your songs and hear others play great music geared towards our world’s young ones.

  So come join us the Third Thursday every month at 5 pm PT (8 pm ET). Register at https://childrensmusic.org/event-4139067. Open to members and non-members! Non-members contact us at office@cmnonline.org for a registration code).

  You only need to register once and you are automatically registered for the following sessions.  Please let us know if you would like to be removed from the registrant list.
  

  Questions or suggestions, contact Mr. Elephant or Marty Long.

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• Puppetry Affinity Group

  • Start
    April 28, 2024
  •  
  • End
    August 25, 2024
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Registered
    51 registrants

  Register

  

  Already using puppets? Always wanted to add puppetry to your repertoire?   Here's your chance.  Register and join this  gathering of children's performers who already use or want to use puppets in their programs.

  We meet monthly, on the 4th Sunday of the month. 

  Coordinated by Val Smalkin, a ventriloquist with 30+ years of puppetry behind her (and who still has things to learn) puppeteers new and old will share knowledge, skills, stories, songs, and more.

  This group is open to CMNers and non-members (non-members contact us at office@cmnonline.org for a registration code).
  

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• White Awareness, Accountability and Antiracism Group

  • Start
    May 15, 2024
  •  
  • End
    July 10, 2024
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    online

  Register

  
  

  This will be a space for white music makers and educators to:

  • talk about the role of race in our lives and the world around us in the present, and historically
  • practice the ways we will talk about race and justice with children
  • brainstorm and build our skills for engaging and interrupting when racial incidents occur and practice, practice, practice
  • brainstorm about how we can use our music and access to heal racism
  • support one another as we strive to share access, resources and build equitable, loving community of solidarity with our colleagues of color as white folks making children's music.
  • we will work together to identify your other goals, hopes and purposes when we convene

  We're a group of white children’s music makers working to heal racism. Join us!

  We meet the second Wednesday of each month, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm ET online.

  This group is open to CMN Members only. 

  For more information, contact Noam Brown.

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• Songwriting Techinques, Tips and Tricks with Scarlet Keys

  • When
    May 20, 2024
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Registered
    25 registrants

  Register

  
  

  CMN is thrilled and honored to host Scarlet Keys, Professor of Songwriting at Berklee College of Music, who will present an inspiring workshop offering tips & tricks to improve your songwriting technique, with a focus on writing hooks, finding inspiration and the voice of the songwriter.

  Scarlet Keys is an award-winning songwriter, TEDx speaker, the host of the “What’s in a Song” podcast, and author of “The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion”. Some of her students include:Laufey,Lizzy McAlpine,Charlie Puth, and Amy Allen.

  Whether you are a seasoned songwriter or just beginning, this is a NOT-TO-BE-MISSED event that will elevate and enhance your songwriting skills. You can listen to her Ted Talk here  and learn more about Scarlet at: https://www.scarletkeys.com

  Monday, May 20, 2024,  7:00 EDT

  

  Download your free songwriting handbook, featuring lessons pulled straight from Berklee Online’s 12-week courses.

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• 2024 CMN International Conference "Community Rising"

  • Start
    September 22, 2024
  •  
    6:00 PM (CDT)
  • End
    September 29, 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    Virtual Via Zoom and LIVE IN CHICAGO
  • Registered
    12 registrants

  Register

  
  

  To kick things off, our 2024 conference offers virtual programs beginning on Sunday, Sept. 22 (virtual through the 25th), so that no matter where in the world you may be, you can still join us!  Then we gather in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 27 in person to learn from one another and celebrate the joy that is children's music.

  Our CMN annual conference is now over 30 years old!! Every year it gets bigger and better, creating many opportunities for performers, educators, song­writers, librarians, and families to come together.  We connect and reconnect and fill our hearts with laughter and song by sharing songs, ideas, resources and information.

  Reconnect with your old friends and meet many new ones as the CMN expanded community gathers to enjoy:

  Highlights:

  • Keynote presentation
    
  • 18 Workshops & Songswaps
  • 2 Round Robins
  • Magic Penny and PIO! Scholars' Award ceremonies
  • Connection, Connection, Connection

  And as an exciting extra, this year, we have collaborated with Old Town School of Folk Music to create a special Friday before the Conference officially kicks off.  The day will include 2 inspirational workshops, time to explore Old Town, and a Chicago style lunch! 
  

  We hope that you will join us for inspiration, learning, connection and MUSIC!  Learn more on the conference website.

  ALL sessions except the live Round Robin will be recorded and available to attendees through March 31, 2025.

  All You Need to Know before Registering-Members.pdf

  All You Need to Know before Registering- Non-Members.pdf
  

  We’re excited to offer a number of registration options so that as many of our members and extended community can participate in 2024 “Community Rising" as possible.  We have worked to keep the cost of attending as low as possible. For the first time, we are offering installment payment plans for anyone who would like to spread the cost over  the spring and summer.  Reach out to janea@cmnonline.org to set this up. All registrations need to be paid in full no later than September 15.   Please use the "All You Need to Know Before Registering" doc above to help guide you through the process!
  

  Please note -  All posted ROOM rates are EARLY BIRD THRU AUGUST 15 at which time they will increase by $25.
  

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• Old Town School of Folk Music

  • When
    September 27, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to come to the pre-Conference  special add-on at Chicago’s iconic Old Town School of Folk Music Friday, September 27, 10a-3pm.

  Nestled in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, where old world heritage meets modern charm, Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities. Over the years and still today many CMN members are also instructors at the school!

  The day will include:

  • Guided tour of the iconic Old Town School of Folk Music

  • Inspiring workshops presented by SaulPaul, a muscian with a message, and Shanta Nurullah, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller and educator.  Learn more here!
    

  • Chicago style lunch

  An interesting Old Town School of Folk Music fact:

  The “First Lady of Children’s Music” Ella Jenkins, CMN’S first Magic Penny Award recipient,  was thefirst person in line on the opening night of the Old Town School of Folk Music, December 1st, 1957

  Our Old Town day will be offered as an extra to your conference registration, or separately for Chicago area residents!  There is a $35 discount if you are registering for both that includes transportation to and from the Embassy Suites if needed.

  Register before Aug 15 for the Early Bird Special price ($10 savings for Old Town Day)

  If you are attending both the Conference and Old Town ( $35 discount) REGISTER HERE

  If you are registering for the Old Town Special day only, REGISTER HERE
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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