Music Talks Newsmagazine

Fasten your seatbelt and come with me for a bird’s eye view of Romania, and Poland! We’ve just finished Music Camps in these two new locations – and, of course, the one in Poland was in a new country.

A few “snapshots” from my diary included . . .

We performed several flash mobs in Craiova, Romania. This one is in front of the Oltenia Philharmonic – a historic partnership!

Here we are in Sosnowiec, Poland. This group of students is performing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” - the theme from his Ninth Symphony. They are accompanied by a semi-professional group of graduate studentswho had such a good time with them - they want to become our “permanent performing orchestra” for all of Poland! Also ringing bells is Lora (our Project Coordinator in Poland) and Elizabeth – my colleague, superb musician, and accompanist for the Camps. Elizabeth is the music teacher at a local school – just down the road from our office! Elizabeth came with me - and instantly everything was better! The kids fell in love with her – she learned to “speak their language” in a matter of minutes – quite amazing!

We brought both our violin and cello teachers by bus from Kyiv, Ukraine. (They had to wait at the border for 22 hours!) Many tears as we got to hug each other again. Here is Tanya, our cello teacher from Kyiv – shown with two of her students – Ukrainian refugees.

One afternoon after Music Camp – I met one of our students – in the restaurant where we were having lunch. He was so excited to see us, he ran home and got his “pet’ chicken – and brought it to the restaurant! He wanted me to hold his pet chicken – so I did! In all my years doing Music Camps – I have never been asked to hold a chicken!

On September 19, we began a new semester for Musedics International - our 13-week semester template of after school choir and instruments.

For the third year we are returning to four orphanages in India –Ashalayam (which means “a place of hope”) in two cities –New Delhi and Lucknow; and Snehalaya (which means “a place of love”).

We have also begun an on-location Musedics program in Craiova, Romania. These children will meet twice weekly – one day for choir; one day for instrument instruction. Their teacher is Carmen Hord – our new Program Coordinator. This Fall we are offering classes in Recorder and Violin. We will add guitar in January 2024.

An especially fun development is that all classes are using our newly released curriculum – with a new interactive approach –giving students the opportunity to interact the same way they do in our on-location Music Camps. (Check it out at our Musedics International site.)

From Romania (on-location) to India (virtual) — Recorder Class with

Carmen

Miss Pauline teaches violin to students across the world

We are excited to announce our Extended Learning Portal!

This year brings a brand new Extended Learning Portal. Students log onto the zoom class through the portal where they participate in a “live” and “interactive” lesson with their teacher. After class, they can practice using the digital curriculum, educational videos and play or sing along with audio accompaniment.

Coming February 4 –A saxophonist who got his start in Music Camp International and today is one of the leading saxophonists in the world . . . Andrey Chmut –recently toured with the Bob James Quartet. You won’t want to miss this! Follow us on Facebook @ musiccampinternational for ticket information.

For twenty years, Celebration Choir of the Monterey Bay has been presenting concerts in support of Canticum Novum and its divisions.

This community adult choir is led by Connie Fortunato. If you live in the Monterey Bay Area, we invite you to join in the fun! Visit us on Facebook: CelebrationChoirMonterey Bay

Upcoming Events

November 6-11

Registration open for Circling the World!

Teens age 13-20 plus ALL Music Camp Alumni are eligible No experience or auditions required. Click here to register or visit

www.musiccampinternational.org

On-Location Christmas Camps

Katowice, Poland - Dec.4-9

Chorzów, Poland - Dec. 11-16

NATALIA’S STORY AS IT UNFOLDED

I met Natalia and her parents in April 2023. I was visiting Sosnowiec to prepare for Music Camp in July Natalia was 17 – a lovely young lady - but immensely shy and withdrawn. She and her family were refugees from Ukraine. Natalia appeared to be fearful of everything. I never saw her smile. I told her and her parents about the upcoming Music Camp, and assured both of them that she would have a great time. She was non-committal!

But Natalia came. She didn’t make a sound. She didn’t talk to anyone. She did exactly what was asked.

SPEAKING ONLY IN WHISPERS

In choir she barely moved her mouth - and not a sound came out - and she never smiled. On the second day of Music Camp I was told by our Project Director that Natalia could not talk or sing because as a baby she had been intubated for several months - and her throat was “destroyed.” The doctor had told her parents that Natalia would never “have a voice” - talking would be next to a whisper and singing would be “non-existent.” I was stunned! Natalia had lived for 17 years in the “prison” of misinformation.

RECALLING A SIMILAR SITUATION

I immediately thought back to one little boy that I had worked with years earlier - a Romanian orphan named Arpi, whose father

had tried to murder him by pouring acid down his throat. The orphanage had taken him to Budapest so the doctors could give him a new throat.

He began speech therapy so he could talkbut all he wanted to do was sing! And so we began working (and playing) together - at first with only animal sounds - then tonesand finally Arpi began to sing.

In one year’s time, Arpi came with me on a choir tour of Romanian orphans - to the United States - and was singing on the stage of the Crystal Cathedral with a full symphony orchestra! His life was transformed. It was a miracle!

FINDING NATALIA’S VOICE

I told our Project Director that I was not a doctor - but I questioned the claim that Natalia did not have a voice. Knowing full well that in 17 years Natalia’s throat cells had healed - and knowing that deep inside she had a voice - one that would give her dignity, hope, and self-confidence. So I suggested that I put her parents in contact with a colleague of mine in the USA - a speech therapist whom I knew could help her speak.

Her parents were very open to the idea - in fact had just met a speech therapist in Sosnowiec - and were discussing the

possibility of speech therapy. But this was Music Camp – not speech therapy.

I continued my “journey” with Nataliaencouraging her that I was there to help her. I couldn’t “try” for her - she had to do that for herself - but I would be at her side helping her and making sure that she was successful. I was gentle - but positive - exploring and implementing many methodologies that I have used over the years - and the more than 50,000 young people with whom I have been honored to work.

On day three the improvement was “a baby step”; on day four - a “bigger step”; - and on day five, Natalia took a “giant leap.” There was her voice. She heard it for herself. I heard it. Her friends heard it. She was actually singing. You could see the dignity in her eyes, the hope in her heart, and the confidence in her face.

THE MIRACLE OF HEALING WITH MUSIC

At the concert on day six, Natalia was our miracle - for the first time in her life, she sang with her peers.

But more important than the notes, was that Natalia SMILED!

In talking with her dad after the concert, he shared the transformation that had taken place during the week.

Natalia had LOVED the Camp. Her life had been changed. What she believed about herself had been changed! She had

become more confident in one week than she had been in 17 years!

MUSIC WAS THE MEDICINE THAT “HEALED” NATALIA’S THROAT

If you supported Music Camp this year – you are part of Natalia’s story! And not just her story. You are part of many more stories of transformation and hope and changed lives. Natalia was just the beginning. Another result of the Music Camp in Craiova, was that it opened a door in Chișinau, Moldova. We are scheduled to have a city-wide Music Camp in this capital city the week of August 26, 2024. Your support helped open this door.

Dear friends...

Do you remember March 6, 2020? Music Camp International had just released an exciting newsletter – The Conductor’s Score – to keep friends and family informed about everything from “Highlights and Happenings” to Student interviews and “Happy Campers.” It was a day of celebration as many hours of hard work went to more than 7,000 email addresses.

The shock was like a sudden death. I was packed for the airport. Our first Camp was to be a city celebration for its 150th birthday! Hundreds of children were registered! But the curtain fell – and all was gone in a moment. The Conductor’s Score became a casualty in the wake of the pandemic!

I tried to console myself – thinking that I would only be home a few weeks. II was not prepared for what came next! Months of isolation! Emails that said, “Please, Miss Connie. You’ve got to think of something. We’re isolated. We’re lonely. We’re depressed!” My heart broke for the tens of thousands of “my kids” that I had watched grow up in Music Camp for years.

I determined to think outside of the tiny box that prisoned me – and I prayed – and I dreamed! I decided to try doing a virtual Music Camp. I felt totally unqualified – but knew I was willing to risk it all – and learn everything I could.

The next twelve months saw four virtual Camps – a Christmas Camp – “One Silent Night” –“Changing Our World” - “The Dawning” - and “Hope Reborn.” Our virtual audience was over 30,000. We had found an opportunity– and we captured it!

Then came Friday, March 13, - one week later – when a ten-minute phone call wiped out all the plans and preparations for five Music Camps in Ukraine and Romania!

On June 4, 2020, our first virtual Music Camp and Concert – “Hope Reborn” was launched!

Today, instead of working in two countries – we are working in five! (and scheduled to add at least two more in 2024)! We have returned to doing on-location Music Camps – as well as expanding our virtual projects to include both virtual Camps (using the same six-day template) and a new division – called Musedics – an after-school international, interactive, ensemble program with two thirteen-week semesters.

On February 24, 2022, a war that was unimaginable became a reality. I could no longer travel to my office in Kyiv – thousands of my precious students were being traumatized, sleeping in bomb shelters, and fleeing to nearby countries for safety. Our newsletter of March 6, 2020 could never have imagined . . . .

My hope is that you will see and feel where we are today as we re-launch our news magazine - with its brand new title - Music Talks! Read, watch, enjoy – and become part of our family.

Connie Fortunato, Founder and President

Canticum Novum international is growing and serving more young people in more ways around the globe. Both divisions - Music Camp International and Musedics International, have distinct programs.

Music Camp International, our signature program, is done on a one-week template of six days, with a concert at the end of the week. Although initially done only on-location, we have now expanded to include virtual Music Camps - conducted in multiple countries simultaneously for six days, with a virtual concert prepared from selfies by the students and submitted for synchronization.

Musedics International, is conducted on a semester basis - with 13 weeks of classes conducted twice a week. One day is for choir. One day is for instrument instruction. Originally only conducted virtually, we are expanding to include on-location after school programs. Virtual classes are international, interactive, and conducted in real time - not pre-recorded, and may be used individually, for small groups (Micro Music Hubs) and full classes. Virtual concerts are given each semester. Musedics is the ideal solution for homeschoolers, charter schools, and anywhere there is a group of young people that want to make music together!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All Divisions

OCTOBER

Musedics - Tuesdays and Thursdays

Online Zoom Courses

On-location Craiova, Romania

NOVEMBER

Musedics - Tuesdays and Thursdays

Online Zoom Courses

On-location Craiova, Romania

International Board Retreat

Founder’s Reception

Christmas Camp

Virtual - Nov 6-11

Giving Tuesday

DECEMBER

Musedics - Tuesdays and Thursdays

Online Zoom Courses

On-location Craiova, Romania

Christmas Camps

Katowice, Poland - Dec.4-9

Chorzów, Poland - Dec. 11-16

End of the Year Giving Campaign

Musedics first semester ends.

“The Essential Nature of Music” features a conversation with Connie Fortunato and Deforia Lane PhD, MT-BC

If anyone understands the mission of Canticum Novum International, it’s Dr. Deforia Lane. Once a budding opera singer, she has dedicated her life to music therapy. Dr. Lane’s musical gifts help seriously ill people find new joy and hope. Thousands of patients have been inspired by her, and her success has spurred hospitals across the nation to launch music therapy programs. “Music and healing are often matters of the human spirit,” says Dr. Lane. “Because of the nature of my job, I have witnessed more than a few miracles worth telling and retelling.”

Find Music Talks on BuzzSprout.com, Spotify or our website

(www.canticumnovuminternational.org/ podcasts)

Watch for new podcasts to come!

A Case for Support

Your compassion helps youth in need around the world. Every gift you give helps a young person thrive, brings hope and strengthens communities

When you give, you help those who are traumatized by war, are displaced, live in orphanages, are blind or deaf or simply need to make sense of the world they are facing. You help prevent depression and isolation. You help teens from all social stratospheres find healing through the power of music. You also help train and employ our teachers who have also been displaced by war or poverty. We

There are many ways to give!

When you give, young people discover a strength and confidence inside that no one can take from them. Those who were shunned by society because of a disability, find dignity. Those who feel “lost” find themselves with new friends, a sense of community and new-found skills.

You can make an immediate difference and give hope to young people around the world. For over 20 years, Canticum Novum International has been providing hands-on expertise and compassion to marginalized youth. And it’s because of your support.

onal work without your help. nerous gift today. about the various categories.

Parting thoughts . . .

We believe that providing a safe environment of encouragement, acceptance and opportunity to meet with other teens online or in person, sharing music together and receiving instruction from caring and compassionate teachers, is a “life line” for many young people. Canticum Novum International is not about giving music lessons, it’s about sharing music with others in a fun and rewarding environment. It’s about making friends, smiling, building confidence and in turn, transforming youth, communities and countries!

We invite you to read our stories, watch our videos and follow us on social media. Canticum Novum International has made a positive impact on the lives of over 50,000 young people, and we aren’t stopping!