ComMUSICation

Providing equitable access to music, collaboration, and opportunity in Saint Paul There are now 70+ programs nationwide and 50+ additionally worldwide.

Partnered with the school system, we are an ensemble and community-based, time intensive program that believes every child should have access to the transformative power of music. We are inspired by the global music ensemble phenomenon El Sistema that uses music to develop a transferable set of life skills such as leadership, problem solving, and musicianship. We are an inclusive, collaborative, a

ccessible, community solution to the participation disparity in lower-income families in afterschool programs.

08/24/2026

Every summer, ComMUSICation employs high-school age interns through Right Track Saint Paul. Becoming a Right Track intern is a great way for young people to gain valuable job experience and explore different career paths!
This summer, ComMUSICation worked with six amazing Right Track interns who acted as teaching assistants and peer mentors. We asked two of them, Alina and Say Doh, to share about their experience.

08/13/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to Joyful, Joyful to celebrate the end of the summer with us! If you weren’t able to be there, check out this video to see the final song they performed - Joyful, Joyful from Sister Act 2 - a song that was selected by youth and which inspired the name of the concert itself.

07/29/2026

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT! Join us for Joyful, Joyful, ComMUSICation's Summer Gospel Choir Showcase at House of Hope!
🎟️FREE TICKETS: cmcmn.org/tickets
5pm: Join us for a short, optional behind-the-music presentation where staff leaders share the story behind Gospel Choir Camp and why it matters to the young people in it.
5:30pm: The performance begins!

Wednesday, July 29, 5:00–6:15pm
House of Hope, 797 Summit Ave, Saint Paul

07/23/2026

NEXT WEEK: On Wednesday, July 29, ComMUSICation's Summer Gospel Choir will take the stage at House of Hope for Joyful, Joyful, the final showcase of our summer Gospel Choir Camp.
🎟️FREE TICKETS: cmcmn.org/tickets

Before the showcase, at 5pm, we'll host a short behind-the-music presentation where staff leaders share the story behind Gospel Choir Camp and why it matters to the young people in it. It's an optional chance to see more of what we do and hear directly from the people who lead it. The performance itself begins at 5:30.

Tickets are free, and we'd love to see you there!

Wednesday, July 29, 5:00–6:15pm
House of Hope, 797 Summit Ave, Saint Paul

06/26/2026

Hey friends, we're 19 donors away from reaching 200 individual givers this fiscal year, and we'd love for you to be one of them. Every gift before June 30 counts toward this goal: cmcmn.org/donate
The past several months have weighed heavily on so many across the Twin Cities, and the effects continue to ripple through our communities. The numbers above tell part of what that has meant for young people. Through it, our youth kept showing up to sing, and families with every reason to stay home chose to trust us instead.
Making that possible takes reliable transportation, healthy snacks, safe spaces to rehearse, and Teaching Artists paid a fair wage. And it takes the support of people like you.
Your gift before June 30 is part of how we keep this work going, and how the next young person who walks through our doors finds a place to belong.

06/24/2026

"There was real value in showing (choral programs) that including youth leadership is both invaluable and attainable for their organizations." - Carey Shunskis, Music & Program Director.
Earlier this month, ComMUSICation youth told a room of choral leaders from across North America what they actually want from a program, and what changes when young people have a real say in the decisions that shape a choir. That was our session on youth and adult power-sharing at the 2026 Chorus America Conference. Youth leaders Carter Heil, Mahogany Robinson, Emma Rutherford, and Shevale Thornton led the session alongside Carey Shunskis (with Ruman Abdisalam helping shape it behind the scenes). We were honored to have composer Rollo Dilworth introduce our work!
Executive Director Georgina Chinchilla Gonzalez also presented in a session on Border CrosSing's Heritage Choir, a bilingual, audition-free ensemble that especially welcomes Latinx community members, regardless of English ability or musical training.
Thanks to Chorus America for bringing the conference to the Twin Cities this year!

06/22/2026

Today is the priority deadline to sign up for FREE TRANSPORTATION to our Gospel Choir Camp!
➡️ Sign up here: cmcmn.org/gospel

Our summer Gospel Choir Camp is almost here, and spots are filling up fast. Open to grades 3–12, it's a space for young people to explore gospel music, regardless of their background or experience. They'll get to sing alongside visiting gospel musicians, perform with a live band, and head into a professional studio to record an original song! Programming runs in the afternoon, so youth can come straight from summer school if they're enrolled. Register today!

05/23/2026

Every year, we take a moment to recognize the high school seniors who have been a part of our community. This year, that's Daniel, a member of SOAR who has been an important part of ComMUSICation for the past three seasons. Over that time, we've had the joy of watching him grow into not just an accomplished singer, but a steady, kind presence who leads by example. We wish him success on his journey, and can't wait to see what comes next!

"ComMUSICation was the first of many things I participated in within the year of 2023, a year of which the first few months were struggling for me. My time at ComMUSICation has revealed new paths to my life... I'm grateful for these past three years, and ComMUSICation's contributions."

05/21/2026

📢 Registration for FREE SUMMER MUSIC programming is now OPEN!

Back by popular demand, ComMUSICation is once again offering our Gospel Choir Camp! Open to grades 3–12, this free program is designed to be a fun, creative space where young people can explore gospel music no matter their background or experience level.

🎶 Participants will sing alongside visiting gospel musicians, perform with a live band, and even head to a professional studio to record an original song!

Dates: July 6th – 30th
Time: Monday through Thursday, 3:30–5:30pm
Location: House of Hope, 797 Summit Ave, St. Paul
🚌 Free transportation available!
➡️ cmcmn.org/gospel

05/19/2026

On May 7th, youth from SOAR hosted their third annual Cabaret at the park next to 825 Arts, a free evening of music, food, and carnival-themed celebration to close out the year. A big thank you to Minnesota Opera, whose coaching support helped our singers shine. Organized entirely by the young people themselves, it's one of our favorite annual traditions!

Address

PO Box 4014
Saint Paul, MN
55104

Telephone

+16512438962

Website

http://www.cmcmn.org/

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