This is the second post in our new series, the Season of Thanks, we’ll be posting 1-2 times per week through New Years Day to share with you why we are thankful for you! Please consider making a donation to support our continued work in the community, click here

Cookies and baked goods for sale at a past baking competition

As we prepare for this weekend’s 5th Annual Baking Competition, being held at Union Church’s Holiday Bazaar and Luncheon, we are reflecting on the joy of community and gathering around food.

Melissa Richmond, ED and teacher, with flute students Hayley and Riley after performing at the annual Firehouse 6 Concert

A part of our community is the people who spend so many hours of their time making music together, making art for the public, volunteering, baking, cooking, and making a financial contribution to us. They are the heart of WCCMA, you are the heart of WCCMA. If you would like to make a contribution in any amount for #GivingTuesday or any day of the year, you can click Here. Even a few dollars makes a difference.

Baking competitors on display for sampling and voting, yum!

People tend to gather around food, and that is certainly the case at WCCMA! We love exploring the culinary arts with you and the community. Whether it is welcoming those from the community into the Baking Competition, enjoying a meal with musicians at our performances, or having you bring home a piece of that love with you by purchasing cookies to share with your family.

Luncheon at the Spring Tea Party.

We are so grateful to have the wonderful people on the board of the WCCMA and our volunteers that tirelessly cook, and bake with love for our major fundraisers. And for the support of Hannaford Supermarket for being such wonderful community supporters of our events (including providing some much needed veggies for the table!)

Friends and Community Members enjoying the Spring Tea and Luncheon

Although food is an important element in our year, with fundraisers including the Spring Tea and Luncheon, the Multicultural Buffet, the Baking Competition and Sale, and the lunch at our annual Artisan fair, what it’s really about is community and togetherness.

Weaving the ribbons of the maypole

Great things happen when we work together! Will you consider making a donation to support our work together in the community?

The Drawing Club decorating houses for the 2015 Holiday Bazaar

The Newmont Military Band gather from all across New England to rehearse at the Union Church Hall, and each year they offer a benefit concert for WCCMA’s Youth Programs.

Students from the Stevens High School band participate in the recital of Burlington Taiko’s Residency participants.

We as a community just love to see local youth involved, and it is especially wonderful when they perform. This is all possible because of your support of WCCMA performances and education programs.

Piano student Adelyn participates in a masterclass with Mary Jane Rupert.

With your support not only do participants in our programs learn directly from teachers, but also from others in their community of student musicians. They perform for each other, help each other, and participate in a caring community.

Community members gather for a post concert discussion by organist Rhonda Sider Edgington

Not only does your contribution make professional musicians available to students, but to you as well. After performances, while the experiences is still sizzling in our hearts and minds, the audiences are invited to gather for post performances chats, Q & As, cookies, and conversation.

A full house at the Yankee Brass Band’s performance.

Your support makes the performances happen – it really is vital to that piece – but just as importantly you make the performances available not only for yourself, but for your neighbors. With your donations we can continue the mission of offering outstanding music performances with not required admission. That means that you are making it possible for that struggling single mom to bring her kids to the concert, or that curious high school student whose family may not have the extra funds for a concert ticket.

The delicious spread provided by WCCMA volunteers, talented cake maker and decorators (Rhonda and Ashley) and 2 chefs (Jim and Alex) in honor of our 5th Anniversary in 2012

So grab a plate, pull up a chair, and please consider joining our table of donors. You can make a donation by clicking here, or you can join us this weekend on Sat-Sun (Dec 5-6) at the Baking Competition and Sale at the Holiday Bazaar and leave a contribution there. We’ll save you a seat. 🙂