LISTEN! Assets for Supporters Please copy any of the content below and add your own spin to invite your network to the “Listen! An Evening of Poetry and Music” at the Ordway Email for Supporters to Invite Their Network Subject:  Join Us for Listen! at the Ordway Dear [Friend’s Name], I’m reaching out to personally ..read more

Notes from the Walker|West Music Academy String Department It is that time of year when students begin to think about their return to school. From some, classes have already begun or will begin soon this month. August, a month that is mixed with reflection, hope, anticipation, and yes…even dread. When we reach August, we invariably ..read more

Your Donation Matters - Here's Why Top 5 reasons why your support matters at Walker|West: Enhanced Academic Performance Investing in Walker|West leads to higher academic success. Studies by Nature Neuroscience reveal that students in music programs consistently score higher on standardized tests compared to their peers who do not participate in music education. Increased Graduation Rates Your support of Walker|West helps keep students in school. According to Children’s Music Workshop, schools with music programs boast a remarkable 90.2% graduation rate. In contrast, schools without suc ..read more

Walker|West joins St Paul Almanac for “Listen! – A Evening of Poetry and Music” Saint Paul Almanac and Walker|West Music Academy unite to present Listen! An Evening of Poetry and Music at The Ordway, featuring the exquisite crafts of Almanac poets and Walker West faculty in this highly anticipated collaboration. The performance will inspire a joyful evening brimming with a fusion and rhythm of sounds—an eclectic, dynamic flow of genres, moods, and styles—to edify and delight the audiences from across the community. Learn More Purchase Your Ticket UPCOMING ..read more

Join us on Saturday, September 7, 2024, when Saint Paul Almanac and Walker|West Music Academy unite to present Listen! An Evening of Poetry and Music. The performance will inspire a joyful evening brimming with a fusion and rhythm of sounds—an eclectic, dynamic flow of genres, moods, and styles—to edify and delight the Ordway audience. Listen! will spotlight Almanac poets Marie Chanté, Arleta Little, Ardie Ann Medina, David Mendez, Michael Kiesow Moore, Loren Niemi, Gabriela SpearsRico, Mary Turck, Clarence White, and Nerys Zimmerman. Walker|West music instructor and band leader Kevin Washin ..read more

Notes from the Walker|West Music Academy String Department The Walker West Music Academy String Department and Kamoinge Strings officially ended its 2023 – 2024 season with a series of performances during the week of Juneteenth and its annual string retreat one week later on Saturday June 29. What a season it was! As we celebrate Independence Day (July 4), Bastille Day (July 14) and National Ice Cream Month this July we look back on a highly productive and transformative year for the department and the ensemble. We divided our string recitals by studios thi ..read more

SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATES Register Now For Our Summer Camps!! “Grow Through Music” Summer Camp Our “Grow Through Music” camp offers a fun introduction to a variety of instruments for beginning students, and a way to reconnect with friends and instructors for returning students. Campers will learn in a supportive small group environment with a chance to perform during our end of camp presentation. When: July 8 – July 26, 2024 | Monday – Friday | 8am – 12pm daily Who: Grades K-6 LEARN MORE REGISTER Summer Music Production College Course at Hamline Supercharge your artistic voice this ..read more

Notes from the Walker|West Music Academy String Department Summer is coming! Before long those of us in the upper Midwest will enjoy what, I think, is the most beautiful time of the year. Some are already spending weekends at the cabin. And students are counting the days until they are free from school, and finals and AP exams and year-end school projects. In the meantime, we celebrate high school graduations, Father’s Day, and Black Music Month. Our ensembles, including Kamoinge Strings, perform at the annual Twin Cities Jazz Fest this year, one of the largest FREE civic jazz festivals in the ..read more

Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West Honors Recital Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West Honors Recital You’re invited to the 11th Annual Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West Honors Recital on Sunday, May 19, at 4 PM at Camphor United Methodist Church. The recital will feature soloists, the Kamoinge String Ensemble, and the Advanced Youth Jazz Ensemble. This recital is a celebration of our students’ accomplishments, offering them the opportunity to perform and recognizing graduating high school seniors. Furthermore, the Founders will select a Founders Award recipient who has demonstrated exemplary musician ..read more

Notes from the Walker|WestMusic Academy String Department May is one of my favorite months. We celebrate Cinco De Mayo, early graduations  and most important, Mothers! In May we can feel with confidence, we’ve survived yet another  Minnesota winter and we can look forward to beautiful summer weather that makes living in the  Upper Midwest oh so worth it! While it is true, this year we didn’t have the long frigid winter we are  accustomed to, it is still great to see late spring approaching, knowing that summer is just around  the corner. The unofficial start ..read more