Canticum Novum
International was born in June, 2002, with a vision to transform the lives of young people through the power of music. For the first 18 years, Canticum Novum worked exclusively through its on-location division, Music Camp International – with its projects located in Romania and Ukraine.
ey began in the small village of Coronini, Romania – with the concert in an old abandoned cinema, and grew to set the Ukrainian Book of records only six years later, with its Music Camp International Concert at Artek, on the Crimean peninsula overlooking the Black Sea, and a choir of almost 1,000 orphans performing a concert at the National Opera eater in Odesa, Ukraine.
During the first 18 years, our on-location division, Music Camp International, worked with more than 30,000 young people in two countries. e power of music gave these young people dignity, hope, and self-confidence. ey worked together across all economic, social, educational, political and religious barriers to form one big family –who believed that they had the power to change their world!
Built on an innovative foundation that documented the fact that all children have music inside, and when involved in a dynamic, interactive, and positive environment can learn and experience the universal benefits that music provides.
Connie Fortunato Founder and President Canticum Novum International Music Camp International Musedics International
“Music can change the world because it can change people.” – Bono
In March 2020, when the pandemic broke globally and shut down our world as we knew it, Canticum Novum International added a second division that was committed to crossing the barrier of isolation to create ensembles working virtually and globally. Musedics International was born to bring the transformational power of ensemble music to individuals all over the world whether – isolated in a room at home, involved in a small music class at school, or in an orphanage. It brought to life the power of music – but in a di erent context and a unique format. Suddenly, Musedics International was working in five countries and broadening its appeal to more areas of the globe.
In November 2022, it became apparent that BOTH divisions should be showcased in our name – and not just one or the other. e decision to return to our Parent Name – Canticum Novum International (Latin for “new song”) was brought back to center stage and integrated into our global awareness initiatives. Both divisions share the same mission today that have carried us from our birth. We believe passionately that all children can and should participate meaningfully in music. Young people all over the world are struggling with a mental health crisis the likes of which the world has never seen. Music can unlock the expressive arts in a way like nothing else because it penetrates all areas of the brain. e time has come for us to recognize the essential nature of music for all things living.
As you examine these pages – take time to see the smiles and hear the magnificence of hundreds of young people expressing music together. It just may transform your world too.
• Music improves academic achievement, language skills, and ability to communicate;
• Music improves a child’s creativity, self-confidence, and sense of dignity;
• Music can help heal children from trauma including the ravages of war and the isolation of a global pandemic . . . music contributes to good mental health.
• Participating in ensemble music improves social development, helps overcome isolation and abandonment.
“In an ensemble, you learn compassion, you learn empathy, you learn discipline, you learn languages, you learn history . . . . “
– Eric Whitacre –
“Music, in some ways, is the science of the soul. It’s the science of the inner life . . . “
YoYo Ma
• Globally there is widespread depression and a mental health crisis for today’s youth.
• e horrific war in Ukraine has traumatized hundreds of thousands of youth.
• Healing from the psychological and emotional scars will take years of intense therapy . . . music can help facilitate healing and wholeness.
• Music builds a strong relational community among young people
• Community and a sense of belonging have been identified as the number one global need for today’s youth.
• e isolation created by a global pandemic, the terror of war, and the reality of 27.5 million refugees globally, have crushed the hopes and dreams of today’s young people.
• Now is the time when countries and communities are opening their hearts and homes like never before. Global support is becoming a way of life for entire populations. Music builds connection, communication and compassion!
• Questions of a meaningful future have been replaced by questions of survival.
• e need is URGENT!
• e time is NOW!
• One-week city day camps – multiple cities; multiple countries
• Live ensemble instrument classes
• Live choir rehearsals
• Live concert with professional orchestra
Elvira teaches Margo the guitar
• One-week overnight Camp at a conference center
• National and international participation
• Pre-selection
• Advanced repertoire by master composers
• Outstanding final classical concert with professional orchestra
Easter with the Masters Concert, Biserica Neagra, Brașov, Romania’s largest and most famous cathedral
• Blind and Visually Impaired
• Deaf and Hearing Impaired
• Down Syndrome
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
Connie teachers blind Teodora to sing
e “White Gloves Choir” signs to sing
Highly interactive designed for a wide variety of classes around the globe
An after school program of highly interactive choral and instrumental ensemble music
Akash from India got to hold a violin for the first time
Bringing individuals and Micro-Music Hubs together from around the globe
Increases self-confidence, social interaction and enhanced learning skills through ensemble music performance
Integrating students with intermediate and advanced music experience along with beginning students and those with special needs
Home, Schools, Community Centers, Conference Rooms – any room where students have internet access and can participate in music
. . . an afterschool program for individuals and small groups from schools and orphanages. International classes are building an international community.
• Synchronous
• Interactive
• Two semesters - 13 weeks each
• Two classes each week - choir and instrument ensemble
• Individuals can participate
• Micro Music Hubs (Maximum of five students per Hub)
Musedics International was born to create a compassionate community of strong relationships for today’s young people. Today Musedics International has expanded to become a dynamic force –uniting youth from all over the world with power, potential, and the positive message, “We are the ones who can make a better world.”
After just six days, students play guitars, recorders. violins, bells and Or percussion instruments in an instrumentarium with a symphony orchestra in Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
WEBSITES
www.canticumnovuminternational.org
www.musiccampinternational.org
www.musedicsinternational.org
Music Camp International
Music Camp International
Music Camp International
TWITTER @musiccampint
Music Camp International YouTube Channel available with documentaries, concerts, and current virtual projects.
e story of Bucha, Ukraine and the trip to sing at e Council of Europe
CONTACT
connie@musiccampinternational.org
831.332.1400 (mobile) 831.425.3600 (office)