CIM students plan free recital series at renovated Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Two very different pillars of University Circle are joining forces in a special way this fall.  

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, CIM announced that beginning in September and continuing through November, students will present Museum Melodies, a new series of free noontime recitals at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH).  

The series, the first in a new array of CIM programming around Northeast Ohio, will highlight the piano but also feature other instruments. The series provides students real-world professional experience and represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration between CIM and the museum.   

“This is a great opportunity for everyone,” said Antonio Pompa-Baldi, head of CIM’s Piano Department.  

“In addition to performing for the community, our students will learn vital professional skills, all of it with a community partner that is literally steps away. It does not get much better than that.”   

Museum Melodies commences Thursday and Friday, Sept. 5 and 6 with one-hour piano recitals beginning at noon.  

The series continues with similar events at the same time every Thursday and Friday through November, excluding Thanksgiving Day.  

Dates in October and November will be piano recitals while November events will feature ensembles of various sizes. Pianists will perform in the museum’s newly renovated visitor hall, part of an ongoing $150 million transformation project, on a Steinway concert grand piano owned by the museum.  

“Music throughout history has been a way humans have communicated with each other,” said Sonia Winner, President & CEO of the museum.  

“How lucky we are in this region to have the opportunity to partner with CIM so that their talented students can be showcased in our beautiful new Visitor Hall, which is free and open to the public.” 

Even as it draws music-lovers to the Museum, the new series will benefit CIM students in particular, rounding out their education with invaluable experience performing as professionals. 

Ariel Karas, CIM’s career advisor and a co-organizer of the series, said pianists in September and October will be compensated, while students who perform in November will receive academic credit.  

“It can be difficult for young pianists to get regular work, so the fact that this new series focuses on piano is really fantastic,” she said.  

“Beyond that, it will be a privilege for our students to perform in such a beautiful venue, on a high-quality instrument, for a partner right next door. It’s truly a win-win.” 

‘MUSEUM MELODIES’ SCHEDULE 

SEPTEMBER: Thursday and Friday, Sept. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27 

OCTOBER: Thursday and Friday, Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31 

NOVEMBER: Thursday and Friday, Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, and 29  

All performances begin at noon at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland. Free, no tickets required. For more information, visit cmnh.org or call 216-231-4600. CIM’s engagement in the community is funded in part through a grant from Gail and Elliott Schlang.

About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s $150 million transformation project is an unprecedented reinvention that will align the Museum’s architecture with its mission of instilling a passion for nature and science in all learners. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised $140 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building to more than 375,000 square feet and its outdoor visitor areas to more than 2 acres. The transformation project aims to broaden community access and help all stakeholders understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The latest milestone in this project was the opening in October 2023 of a welcoming new Visitor Hall, a free community space that showcases eight of the Museum’s most iconic objects and specimens. This dramatic, 14,650-square-foot gallery features ceilings that soar to 21 feet and stunning new exhibits placed along the Douglas McCreery and Dr. Laurie McCreery Timeline of the Earth, which marks key events in the history of the Universe. Slated for completion in late 2024, the Museum’s transformation encompasses a complete re-imagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will highlight the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted community resource. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.  

About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History   

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit cmnh.org.