As the end of the year approaches we look back on the year ending, and prepare for an exciting new year. People seem to have a fondness for top 10 lists at this time of year, so here’s our top 10 things that you have helped WCCMA do this year:

10. Workshops were offered including 6 weeks of Salsa dancing classes, and a beginner drawing class.

Salsa instructor Nelly Ferland led 6 weeks of salsa dancing.

Our holiday concert with the Firehouse Six Dixieland Band included some festive banjo

9. Concerts including appearances by local youth alongside talented local musicians like the Firehouse 6 Dixieland band.

Stuart Paton of Burlington Taiko Group leads a workshop at the Claremont Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market in September.

8. Over 1000 people came together for unique community arts programs and some excellent food!

7. People from at least 5 states and over 15 communities in NH came to Claremont to experience our cultural programs.

6. WCCMA teamed up with the Claremont Farmers’ Market to host the First Thursdays Music Series offering an even wider variety of music genres in a fantastic location.

5. The Opus Arts Project was started through a group of local creative professionals and arts lovers to provide a network of and gathering space for the outstanding talent in our community.

Works by sculptor Ernest Montenegro

4. Regular events were offered every month, including the Local Arts Fair that highlighted the talent of local visual artists and crafters. It was not only beautiful and educational, but also a great way to find gifts and support local producers.

3. 7 students across the district were provided with flutes, clarinets, trombones, a saxophone, and trumpet at not cost to their families. These students would not otherwise have been able to participate in music.

2. Concerts by Internationally acclaimed musicians, including Kinan Azmeh and Dinuk Wijeratne; the Aardvark Jazztet, and Dr. Jose Lezcano. They have performed places like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, throughout Europe and the Americas… and at WCCMA!

And the number one impact on the community was:

1. Over 200 students had access to arts workshops led by gifted educators in their fields. This included the tremendously popular Taiko residency by Stuart Paton, Taiko at the Claremont Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, and the Andean Panpipe residency with Dr. Jose Lezcano.

Stuart Paton of Burlington Taiko during a lecture and demonstration at Maple Avenue School.

We would like to ask you to consider making a tax deductible donation today to help ensure that the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts will be able to continue to provide all of these programs as well as exciting new ones in 2013. To make an online donation or find out where to mail a check click HERE. Your donation will make the difference by providing exceptional music and arts programs for you, your neighbors, and the youth in the community.

For those of you that have already made a donation, THANK YOU. We couldn’t do it without you!