Each season, CMA gives back to the community through CMA Studio. These free educational events feature our guest artists, and students light up at the opportunity to learn from and interact with professional musicians in this way. Learn more about what CMA Studio is up to during our 2023-2024 season!
December 2023: Dallas Brass
Before their concert, Dallas Brass traveled around to various West Des Moines Community schools to help 
engage students about music. First they gave a 50 minute concert to an assembly of 590 elementary schoolers to get them excited about music and encourage them to join school music programs. Dallas Brass then gave a concert for 232 middle and high schoolers and offered practice tips, playing suggestions, and answered any general questions they had about music. Finally, 275 band and choir students from Valley High School got to participate in the concert Friday evening with the Dallas Brass, giving them an experience they will surely never forget.
November 2023: Roomful of Teeth
Thomas, a member of Roomful of Teeth, worked
with the Drake Choir, the Drake Chamber Choir, and then gave a masterclass with Professor Freeman-Miller’s voice studio. The other members of the Roomful of Teeth went to Corteva to give a creativity lecture and speak with agri-scientists there. Roomful of Teeth and the scientists had a wide-ranging conversation that focused on the creative process, oftentimes focusing on disruptive practices that move both arts and sciences forward.
October 2023: Poiesis Quartet Masterclass
In October, Drake University music students had the opportunity to work in a masterclass given by the Poiesis 
Quartet, winners of the 2023 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. There were two student chamber ensembles that performed their repertoire for the Poiesis members. After they performed, members of Poiesis came on stage to give them tips, advice, opinions, and many ways to make the student performances better. The Poiesis Quartet also went to various middle schools in the Des Moines area to perform for students and answer any questions they may have.
The Poiesis Quartet gave an exciting concert the same evening that Drake music students received tickets for. It was a concert that dazzled the string players of Drake, and a performance that no one could forget.
October 2023: Pat Metheny Pre-show
In October, Pat Metheny made his CMA debut in Hoyt Sherman for a legendary solo performance as part of his 
Dream Box Tour. Before his performance, we were lucky to have the Valley High School Jazz Combo perform in the historic Hoyt Sherman Gallery. These young musicians gave a fantastic performance of some of the great jazz standards. After the Combo, Des Moines jazz pianist, Jason Danielson, gave a talk on the significance of the 
music of Pat Metheny over the previous few decades.
Later in October, CMA will by hosting the Poiesis Quartet, this year’s Fischoff Competition Gold Medal winners. They will be giving a masterclass in Sheslow Auditorium on October 27th to Drake University students before their performance.
September 2023: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio
In September, Alfredo Rodriguez Trio kicked off the season. Before taking the stage at Temple Theater, trio leader Alfredo Rodriguez led a clinic at Dallas Center Grimes High School. Rodriguez’s improvisational skill on the piano was quick to impress the students. The clinic included participation from two young attendees who were full of smiles while learning from the talented musician.
Later in October, CMA Studio events will continue with the Fischoff Competition gold medal winners, Poiesis Quartet. This will mark the second year of CMA’s partnership with the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association.
