Open Call: Serafin, Music School a testament to the power of collaboration

The privilege and responsibility of bringing music to thousands of individuals and communities around our region is no “solo act”.

Collaborations and partnerships expand possibilities. Projects and programs are enriched by pooling the necessary resources: facilities, financial, and human — bringing music to more lives.

Support from many corners makes the difference. Outstanding performing artists, creative artistic vision, excellent and caring instructors, eager students and audiences, prudent and attentive leadership, willing and capable partner organizations, and generous patrons together turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Sharing the fruits of these collaborative endeavors offers ultimate rewards all around — gratifying to those who give and fulfilling to those who receive.

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The Music School of Delaware each year brings to life a long list of activities and programs in collaboration with many partners. With them, we are able to do much more than what would be possible independently. We salute and thank our many collaborators for their efforts with us to enrich lives throughout Delaware and beyond.

Ninety-five Music School faculty members are, themselves, key connectors to other organizations, giving their time and expertise to our school, while also holding positions with universities; elementary, middle, and high schools; orchestras; choirs; and small ensembles. Our program staff led by our dean and our Milford branch director, working with the school’s faculty leadership team, develop and nurture relationships with over 20 public and private elementary and pre-schools, the Capital School District in Dover, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Newark Symphony, University of Delaware, Wilmington University, houses of worship, after school education programs, and a long list of others every year.

Just recently, working with the founder of a thriving center for music, the Music School took on a new instruction site in Seaford, preserving and strengthening wonderful music offerings there, already established by the center’s founder.

An upcoming Serafin Ensemble project in Wilmington at the end of February is a testament to the power of collaboration. It celebrates the majesty and brilliance of Georg Frideric Handel and his contemporaries of the Baroque era. A three-concert mini-festival, Hallelujah Handel!, brings together The Music School of Delaware and Serafin Ensemble, with Grace United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Parish, and their respective choir members. This four-way partnership is possible because the music directors at both churches are open to working in consort with the Music School, and with Serafin Ensemble.

Hallelujah Handel festival features performing artists from Pyxis Piano Trio, Serafin Ensemble, the Embassy String Quartet, University of Illinois, and University of Delaware, as well as highly-regarded local vocal soloists and instrumentalists.

The combined resources include the beautiful Grace Church venue where the three concerts will take place, Trinity’s and Grace’s choirs, promotional support from the Music School, Serafin Ensemble’s vision and programming, and underwriting from the Shirley Hunsberger Memorial Fund at Grace Church. All that each partner offers helps to bring the festival to our audiences at affordable ticket pricing.

It is every performer’s, presenter’s, instructor’s and organization leader’s hope that people will hear about what they have to offer and will take advantage of the opportunities to participate.

Collaboration with print media, radio, social media, along with other avenues for communication, are significant ways that working together makes it possible to reach more people.

Community building is the work of many – and the more we share in the collective efforts to make good things happen, the more we can realize exciting and creative projects that uplift individuals, and encourage our neighborhoods, towns, and cities to be places where all citizens can find fulfilling and inspiring activities.

The Hallelujah Handel! mini-festival takes place Feb. 23 to 25 in downtown Wilmington. Our venue, Grace United Methodist Church at 900 Washington St., is a gorgeous space for music, and offers the benefit of free, onsite parking. Three programs ("Handel and His Contemporaries''; "Handel – Before and After''; and "Hallelujah Handel!'') are unique, time-limited, and will be delivered by top-notch flute, oboe, string, vocal and keyboard musicians.

It promises to be mind-expanding, and soul-soothing.

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Join us to explore an exciting world of musical creation through the sounds of Handel, Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann, Boccherini, Mozart, Haydn and more. The performers and partners from Grace United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Parish, The Music School of Delaware, and the Serafins together will present beautiful music by these stellar composers.

We look forward to sharing it with all who attend!

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.serafinensemble.org, or www.musicschoolofdelaware.org.

Kate Ransom is president and CEO of The Music School of Delaware and artistic director of Serafin Ensemble/Serafin Summer Music.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: A Serafin Ensemble project is testament to the power of collaboration.