Author Archive
Swag City Release Party
Posted by: | CommentsIt was another successful CD release party last Friday, even if the impending snowfall kept a few performers and audience members at bay. The night began with the presentation of the 2009 MRC Outstanding Member Award that was given to three members this year: Jameel Clark, Katie Stewart and Genna Matthew.
Following that the music began featuring performances by Katie and Genna as well as Rob Martin, Speaking of the Elephant, TJ Fresh and then Youngkillagansta and the entire Sesame Street Squad to finish off the night.
CD Release Party Postponed
Posted by: | CommentsDue to the epic amount of snow we were given in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area, we’re postponing the CD release party which was scheduled for Tuesday, December 22nd. We were looking forward to this so much and I’m sure many of our members were as well.
We will let everyone know once we’ve rescheduled the party.
In order to make everyone feel better about missing this show, I’ve attached a picture of my car with a snowhawk. It adds 3 horsepower.
Swag City is coming…
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We’re releasing our 2009 compilation CD on Tuesday, December 22, 2009. Titled Swag City, its the first MRC CD to feature a title track, and I believe it to be our strongest CD yet.
Check out the sample tracks below and mark you calendars for the release party! Admission is free but donations will be accepted and CD’s will be for sale for $5.00 each.
Self Isolation by J-Willz
She Disappears by The Wave
Bantu Dance by Bill Anarka
In the Maze by Midnight Trampoline
Ima Cool Guy by B-Kid
Double Take by Katie Stewart
MRC Nominated for “Rising Star” Award
Posted by: | CommentsMRC recently learned that Delegate David Toscano has submitted the Music Resource Center as a nominee for the Virginians for the Arts Foundation’s “Arts Build Communities” Award of “Rising Star.” The award is given to arts organizations “that best demonstrate the ability to enhance the community, lift our spirits, and build a better quality of life.” Delegate Toscano’s Legislative Assistant, Sarah Buckley, stated that Delegate Toscano “…would like to nominate the Music Resource Center for the “Rising Star” Award for all the good work you do for young people in the community.” MRC is deeply honored by this nomination.
MRC Staff heads to U2
Posted by: | CommentsWe were lucky enough to receive some ticket donations from some generous members of the Charlottesville community and after making sure we took care of our volunteers, there were a few left over for some staff! Here’s some pics of what turned out to be a great show (even if Muse didn’t headline).
First Amendment Writes 2009
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Best-selling author Rita Mae Brown will be among the judges in the fourth annual First Amendment Writes, a poetry and songwriting contest organized by the Music Resource Center and the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, and WNCR 106.1 FM “The Corner.” First Amendment Writes is billed as “a celebration of the creative heights that only can be achieved when artists are free to express themselves on any theme, subject or idea.” In addition to competing for a cash prize of $500, ten finalists in both the songwriting and poetry categories will have the opportunity to meet anbd hear directly from Ms. Brown and the other judges when they read and perform their works at the competition’s closing event November 12 at The Southern (formerly Gravity Lounge). Other judges will be announced in the coming weeks.
Contestants in First Amendment Writes may express any theme in their entries. Contests may enter either the poetry or songwriting contest, but not both, and may submit only one poem or one song. Each song or poem submitted must be the contestant’s original work. The contest is open to poets and songwriters 16 of age and older but applicants under 18 must have parental permission prior to entering. Prior winners of First Amendment Writes are not eligible. Complete contest rules and entry forms can be bound on-line at www.tjcenter.org/writes.
Mashup circa 1794
Posted by: | CommentsThere are a ton of great things that I get to see and experience working at MRC: kids going from not being able to hold a guitar correctly to shredding it apart, seeing a band rehearse a new song then watching them perform it on stage, helping a song go from just a riff to a full blown studio production…but this was something new and very cool.
Four years ago I finished recording for a band called The Wave (Willie Denton-Edmunson, Avery Sandridge and Marsh Mahon) called “Dreamers.” Not only was it the Wave’s first CD, it was the first full length recording I had the pleasure to record at the MRC and then be handed a shrink-wrapped copy for my very own. The CD featured 10 songs written entirely by the band, save for the lyrics of one song.
Flash forward to one week ago. I finished recording another CD for the band Midnight Trampoline (Jordan Breeding, Amelie Rives and Eric Lesser) called “For Her.” I just got my hands on the finished copy of 11 songs written entirely by the band, save for the lyrics of one song.
Notice a pattern here?
The one song that contained lyrics not written by the respective groups were both named Tyger, based around the William Blake poem. Not wanting to keep this from our website visitors that I’m sure numbers at least in the teens, I created a mashup of the two songs for your enjoyment 
Make sure to check out both bands by clicking on their names above!
Local Artist to Donate Gallery Proceeds to MRC
Posted by: | CommentsMichelle Gagliano, a national artist who’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries from New Orleans to San Francisco, will be exhibiting her work at the McGuffey Art Center Friday, October 2, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. She has generously offered to donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale of her artwork to the MRC. MRC students will be playing at the event.
To see Michelle’s artwork, go to MichelleGagliano.com
(w)MRC in Cincinnati
Posted by: | CommentsPlease excuse my reference to late-70’s sitcoms, but every time I hear “MRC in Cincinnati” it’s in the melody of that shows theme song.
Anyway, we’re incredibly proud to announce that MRC in Cininatti is open for business! After months of outreach and preparing their new facilities the Cinci branch had their “soft opening” last Friday and will have their Grand Opening Friday, August 7th. We wish them the best of luck in bringing our brand of after-school music education to the youth of Ohio!
Make sure you stop by their website at http://www.mrccinci.org to see their new program.
MRC Member Donates Hard-Earned Cash
Posted by: | CommentsWhen Kyle Skriloff earned some money this summer mowing yards and house sitting, he wanted to give back to the community. After only one month of membership, Kyle quickly saw what a cool place the Music Resource Center was and how he could work on his music goals. He was impressed with the quality of the staff and facility and wanted to try to give what he could to support the center. Kyle plays drums, piano, congas and tenor saxophone. His new goal is to learn guitar and is currently studying with his father and enjoys rehearsing at the Center to hone his skills. Kyle writes his own music and is looking forward to recording and making digital music compositions at the Center this summer.
All the staff and members at MRC would like to thank Kyle for his generosity. Kyle is following in the footsteps of the community musicians who started the Music Resource Center with their own donated dollars, equipment and time because they believed that teenagers in our community needed cool after-school activities in which to participate. The Center has been serving Charlottesville and the surrounding communities since 1995.
