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www.thesoundofcommunity.org

Imagine a performance that would involve professional musicians, children, teenagers, senior citizens, adults with developmental disabilities, and physically challenged individuals performing choreography in their wheelchairs.

A performance where no more emphasis would be placed on Yo-Yo Ma's Stradivarius Cello as would be placed on pizzicato rubber bands and balloon bassoons.

Imagine an opportunity for an adult living with developmental disabilities to play an instrument he or she built from scratch as part of a full production on a stage with lights in front of an audience.

This can all be a reality with your support.

This is the ultimate goal of The Sound of Community project. 2009 USA Artists award recipient (Walker Fellow) Cyro Baptista has called upon his close friend and musical collaborator Kenny Wolleson to help realize this vision. Baptista and Wolleson have worked together for 20 years on various projects including John Zorn's Electric Masada, numerous movie soundtracks and most recently recording a duo album for Tzadik records.

In addition to Kenny, Cyro has assembled a small team to help bring this concept to fruition. He has enlisted the help of long time manager and music industry veteran Eleonora Alberto as well as engineer/producer and collaborator Justin Bias.

The Sound of Community is a project of true inclusion, where underserved members of the community would collaborate together. Each participant will be made to feel that music isn't something only created on big stages and fancy recording studios -- but rather can be a part of their everyday life as a ritual and a means of bringing people together.

The Workshops at Ivy Hill Elementary featured special guests Brian Marsella and Daniel Jodocy!

Video By Justin BIas
Compiled from clips shot by Alessandro Ciari, Bill Bloom and Justin.