The Music Center

The Music Center is the result of a merger in 2000 that brought together three established arts agencies, all former member agencies of the United Arts Council: the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and its Community Music School; the Battle Creek Boychoir and Girls’ Chorus; and the Community Chorus and its Pops Ensemble. It was the ultimate collaboration, allowing for the sharing of not only human resources, programming, and equipment, but also the new facility at KCC. The facility was developed in partnership with the college and opened in September of 2003. Two new programs, a second campus for the Community Music School in Hastings, and the I.M.P.A.C.T. program (free music lessons for inner-city youth), are in their fifth and third years respectively. The I.M.P.A.C.T. program is housed at Ann J. Kellogg School in partnership with the Battle Creek Public Schools.

The activities of the various programs include: local concert series encompassing both orchestral and choral performance; outreach programs for schools in the Battle Creek and surrounding communities; private individual instrumental and vocal instruction; group lessons in music and dance; choral training; additional private and community performances locally; performance tours; and several special events and fundraisers throughout the year.

The Music Center serves all of Calhoun and Barry Counties, as well as portions of Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties. Spanning the cultural and economic spectrum, the Music Center provides programs for every stage of life.