This Giving Tuesday we ask you to consider supporting WCCMA! Your contributions not only make incredible performances by award-winning musicians happen in Claremont, it supports art classes, music lessons, ensembles, and school residencies – AND it supports the beautiful Claremont Creative Center venue. We have big projects planned in 2026 and beyond, your support now helps us keep the home fires burning until then!

Donate to WCCMA or Become a Sponsor!

We hope to see you Thursday for the first time ever performance of the Power of Balafon with internationally renown artists Mamadou Diabate and Balla Kouyate (with a guest appearance on conga of our great friend and percussionist Stuart Paton!)

Then come party with music art and goodies at the Winter Celebration on December 19th! We’ll have student musician performers and special guest singer Morgan Brophy singing “O Holy Night,” plus art activities and more!

Check the dates below, sign up for lessons, or visit our calendar for all the upcoming events! Sign-ups for Winter Semester Lesson and Ensembles begins soon! I hope to see you soon at our next event.

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The Power of Balafon:
Balla Kouyaté & Mamadou Diabaté
Thursday 12/4 6:30–8:00 PM
@ Claremont Creative Center

Renowned award-winning percussionists/multi-instrumentalists Balla Kouyaté and Mamadou Diabaté’s new collaborative project makes the impossible possible! Join us for an intimate small ensemble – the first performance of these new works.

Representing two powerhouse African balafon family legacies, this is the first time ever that the two differently tuned African balafons – one from Burkina Faso and one from Mali – are able to perform together in harmony. Kouyaté has built a special instrument so that the scales of the two instruments are no longer in dissonance, allowing the two virtuosos to compose and perform together in tandem. The high-energy and innovative musicianship of the two artists creates an uplighting and energetic audience experience!

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SAVE THE DATE for upcoming events and workshops

12/8 Monday 5:30 PM — African Ensemble with Mamadou Diabaté

12/19 Friday 5:30 PM — Winter Celebration!

12/20 Saturday 2:00 PM — Sacred Harp (more info below)

The arts need you! Please consider a donation to support WCCMA and community access to the Claremont Creative Center

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SACRED HARP Singing
Returning Winter 2026 at Claremont Creative Center!

Join us, friends! We’ll sing from the Sacred Harp (Denson, 1991)

Free with donations gladly accepted. All are welcome; no experience is necessary.
Loaner books available.

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Have you missed previous concerts? Watch them on our YouTube Channel!

Thank you for your continued support!
Donate to WCCMA or Become a Sponsor!

Check the dates below, sign up for lessons, or visit our calendar for all the upcoming events! I hope to see you soon at our next event.

WCCMA is thrilled to be offering 2 new ensembles for middle-school aged (and older) students – beginning and intermediate band! Dr. Eric Linke, our new Music Education Coordinator is leading these two great groups of kids. We are please to welcome homeschool and Claremont Middle School students to this 6-week winter program, also tied in to a initiative with WCCMA, CMS, and CMS parents partnering up to save the band and choir programs this year. We are thrilled to have experienced WCCMA teachers who are able to step up to provide new and continuing music education for Claremont and area kids!

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SACRED HARP Singing
Saturday 11/15 @ 2:00 – 4:30 PM at Claremont Creative Center

Join us, friends! We’ll sing from the Sacred Harp (Denson, 1991)

Free with donations gladly accepted. All are welcome; no experience is necessary.
Loaner books available.

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Music and Meditation with Mamadou Diabaté and Melissa Richmond
Sunday 11/16 11:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Union Episcopal Church

Suggested donation: $25, or pay what you can.

Join us at the juncture of ancient healing, world traditions, and contemporary music masters. Special guest, African Musician Mamadou Diabate joins us for this very special session. Come ready to relax, and absorb this special experience that is neither a concert nor a sound bath – but something truly magical and music filled. Dress comfortably and be ready to clear your mind and recharge.

Mamadou Diabaté was born into a traditional musician family (Sambla people) in Burkina Faso (West Africa), with a long tradition of practising the profession of story telling and music making. At the age of 5 he started his professional training with his father Penegue Diabate, who in his days was considered the best balafon player far beyond the bordes of the sambla culture. At 8 he began with his apprenticeship years with renowned balafonists of neighboring peoples. In 1988 and 1998 he won the first prize of the “National Culture Week” of Burkina Faso. He currently lives in Austria. With his group Percussion Mania he won the Austrian World Music Award (2011) and the Grand Prix of the “Triangle du Balafon” Competition in Mali (2012). For his virtuosity, he was there also honored with the “Prix Alkaly Camara de la virtuosité”.

Musician Melissa Richmond presents the ancient Tibetan Singing Bowls as a foundation to exploring the depth of music and how it heals and inspires us on our deepest levels. Going beyond the contemporary “sound bath” concept, Richmond dives into the roots of the tradition to find sacred meeting points with culture bearers from around the world. Aside from being an experienced musician, arts educator, and non profit executive, Richmond is a certified sound healer, reiki master, and wellness consultant.

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The Power of Balafon:
Balla Kouyaté & Mamadou Diabaté
Monday 12/4 6:30–8:00 PM
@ Claremont Creative Center

Renowned award-winning percussionists/multi-instrumentalists Balla Kouyaté and Mamadou Diabaté’s new collaborative project makes the impossible possible! Join us for an intimate small ensemble – the first performance of these new works.

Representing two powerhouse African balafon family legacies, this is the first time ever that the two differently tuned African balafons – one from Burkina Faso and one from Mali – are able to perform together in harmony. Kouyaté has built a special instrument so that the scales of the two instruments are no longer in dissonance, allowing the two virtuosos to compose and perform together in tandem. The high-energy and innovative musicianship of the two artists creates an uplighting and energetic audience experience!

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SAVE THE DATE for upcoming events and workshops

11/22 12:00PM – COMICS Jam!

12/6 Saturday 2:00 PM — Seasonal Card Making

12/8 Monday 5:30 PM — African Ensemble with Mamadou Diabaté

12/19 Friday 5:30 PM — Winter Celebration!

12/20 Saturday 2:00 PM — Sacred Harp (more info below)

The arts need you! Please consider a donation to support WCCMA and community access to the Claremont Creative Center

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Have you missed previous concerts? Watch them on our YouTube Channel!

Thank you for your continued support!
Donate to WCCMA or Become a Sponsor!

Hi friends,

As the autumn rolls in full swing(and some much-needed rain!), we continue to explore the exciting world of Jazz & World Music! We have a couple of exciting events coming up that you can be part of that will scratch that itch.

Check the dates below, sign up for lessons, or visit our calendar for all the upcoming events! I hope to see you soon at our next event.

Stay creative.

Chris’ music recommendation this week – Taiwa by Sameer Gupta (link to SoundCloud)

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Sameer Gupta Trio
Friday 10/24 6:30 PM @ Claremont Creative Center

Renowned tabla and jazz musician Sameer Gupta and his trio, with Ben Tyree (guitar) and Arun Ramamurthy (violin), will perform in Claremont, a part of the partnership between WCCMA and BarnArts.

Sameer Gupta (b. 1976) has created a unique musical sound by combining traditional and modern improvisational styles, drawing from his dual Indian and American heritage, and has already established himself as an original voice in music today. Gupta did not begin mastering the tabla until well into his jazz career in the early ‘00s, and now he continues to compose and perform music from a true multi-cultural perspective that bridges several continents.

Presented by the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts. With support from our fall season sponsor Monadnock Mills, LLC.

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African Ensemble with Mamadou Diabaté
4 Sessions(10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17) Mondays 5:30–7:00 PM
@ Claremont Creative Center

Tuition – $150, or WCCMA enrolled students of multiple children from one household $100. Scholarships available

Learn from the internationally renowned balafon and percussion master Mamadou Diabate! No experience necessary, learn to play African instruments including the balafon, djembe, and other African percussion instruments.

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SAVE THE DATE for upcoming events and workshops

(CANCELLED)10/25 Saturday 11:00 AM — Zine Club @ CCC
(CANCELLED) 10/25 Saturday 11:00 AM — Block Printing using Rubber Stamps led by Juni Kim! @ CCC

11/3 Monday 5:30 PM — African Ensemble with Mamadou Diabaté @ CCC

11/8 Saturday 12:00 PM — Watercolor Workshop @ CCC

11/10 Monday 5:30 PM — African Ensemble with Mamadou Diabaté @ CCC

11/15 Saturday — 3rd Saturday @ CCC (more info below)

11/10 Monday 5:30 PM — African Ensemble with Mamadou Diabaté @ CCC

The arts need you! Please consider a donation to support WCCMA and community access to the Claremont Creative Center

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Cartooning Workshop with Wayne Carter
3rd Saturday @ 11 AM at CCC

Come join us for this monthly cartooning workshop for students and adults. This month, we will be drawing with our very own animal models.

Wayne Carter is a Cartoonist and Educator living in Vermont. Wayne is an Alum from the Center for Cartoon studies and recently finished a Residency for the National Parks Service. You can find more of his work at @pinkclownoress on Instagram.
More information

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SACRED HARP Singing
3rd Saturday @ 2:00 – 4:30 PM at CCC

Join us, friends! We’ll sing from the Sacred Harp (Denson, 1991)

Free with donations gladly accepted. All are welcome; no experience is necessary. Loaner books available.

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Have you missed previous concerts? Watch them on our YouTube Channel!

Thank you for your continued support!
Donate to WCCMA or Become a Sponsor!