ACG Originals: We've Always Known, Song Descriptions

For the last eight years, ACG Music & Healing has built beautiful connections in our community. This special initiative pairs songwriters with individuals experiencing profound challenges to use music as a pathway for connection and self-expression in creating original songs that give voice to their hopes, fears, and dreams. WE’VE ALWAYS KNOWN brings together four amazing singer/songwriters to re-interpret, re-visit and share some of these extraordinary pieces of music. Featuring guitarist Claire Puckett, violinist Camille Schiess, multi-instrumentalist Daniel Fears, and Music & Healing Director and guitarist Travis Marcum. Join us for this unforgettable evening on March 25-26. Find tickets here.

Below are the song descriptions for this concerts program.

 

In the Garden Green 

By Meg with Travis Marcum & Amelia DeVivo

In the Garden Green was written as a part of Lullaby Project in Spring 2019 by Meg for her son Garner. As she thought about meeting her baby for the first time, Meg used the familiar image of a garden as a symbol of growth and peace through the joy and challenges of life. Meg, her husband Tom and their now two little ones Garner and Cora are long time friends of Travis and Amelia. In the Garden Green was written together in friendship and support of the beautiful life ahead for their family. You can listen to the song here.

 

I am Strong

By L. with Claire Puckett

Community Partner: Red Oak Hope

I am Strong was written by L. in Summer of 2022 in collaboration with ACG community Partner Red Oak Hope. Red Oak Hope is a world-wide organization based out of Austin serving women who are victims of trafficking and exploitation. L. and Claire Puckett wrote a truly powerful song about perseverance in the face of doubt and adversity. You can hear L. singing I am Strong here

 

Beauty in My Pain

By Lexi with Daniel Fears

Community Partner: Texas Oncology

Beauty in My Pain was written in early 2023 by Lexi. During their time together, she and Daniel spent hours talking about hopes and fears, challenges and joys of life. Daniel describes Lexi as a truly gifted storyteller. Lexi wrote every lyric, creating a beautiful statement of faith and togetherness through the toughest of times. You can listen to the original song here

 

Miles to Go

By Christina with Travis Marcum & Claire Puckett

Community Partner: Livestrong Cancer Institutes 

Miles to Go was written in Fall of 2018 by Christina with Travis and Claire. Christina was a transcendent force for good and helped shape ACG’s Music and Healing Program with her guidance in piloting our first songwriting collaboration with community members undergoing cancer treatment. Christina wrote a vivid and honest piece about her experience with diagnosis and treatment. An accomplished seamstress and quilter, she used the imagery of patchwork and sewing to describe her familiarity with the “weight” and “wait” of this illness. She illuminated a powerful journey. Christina and her song forever changed ACG and the way that we connect with others. You can hear Miles to Go here

 

Meraki Lullaby

By Holly with Arnold Yzaguirre

Community Partner: Any Baby Can

Meraki Lullaby was written in late Summer 2018 as a part of Lullaby Project by Holly in partnership with local organization Any Baby Can. Holly chose this word Meraki meaning “essence of ourselves” to describe the feelings she had in anticipation of her baby coming into this world. Holly is a beautiful vocalist. She is full of joy and we at ACG are so grateful for her contribution. You can hear Holly and Arnold’s recording of Meraki Lullaby here

 

Don’t Wake Me

By D. with Claire Puckett and Travis Marcum

Community Partner: Red Oak Hope

Don’t Wake Me was written in Summer of 2020 by D. She created a truly imaginative and compelling vision of serenity in the face of a harsh and sharp world. D. took our Music and Healing Artists along on her journey to build an honest, whimsical portrait of transition through darkness. You can listen to Don’t Wake Me here

 

My Baby Princess

By Trimonisha with Joey Delahoussaye  

Community Partner: Travis Co. Correctional Complex

My Baby Princess was written by Trimonisha as a part of Lullaby Project in Spring of 2016 at Travis Co. Correctional Complex. Joey, ACG Music and Healing Artist would visit the facility, meeting with Trimonisha and transforming her stories, hopes and regrets into a love song for her daughter. Joey wrote: 

“When I met Trimonisha one of the first things she told me was that she and her six year old daughter Miracle had a tradition of lighting candles, drawing a bubble bath and putting on their “relaxation music”.  She let me into her world and allowed me to help her turn tears, joy and most of all her truth into a song that she and Miracle might one day listen to at their next bubble bath reunion. 

Trimonisha, thank you for putting your trust in me, someone that you didn’t really have a reason to trust. I hope you can take the bright spirit you showed to me and continue living it out in a world that hasn’t always been good to you.”

You can listen to My Baby Princess here

 

I Can Do This

By Dolly and Kourosh with Shayna Sands and Travis Marcum

Community Partner: Texas Oncology

I Can Do This was written by Dolly and Kourosh in late 2021 with Music and Healing Artist and austin singer-songwriter Shayna Sands. Dolly and her husband wanted to create a joyful and honest song of their long experience with cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the lessons learned along this journey. Inspired by Texas country acts like Robert Earl Keen, this song highlights the love between two people, the challenges inherent in their journey, and the gratitude and jubilation that is part of all life. The title for our concert “We’ve Always Known” comes from a line in this song. Dolly’s song tells us that the beauty of life and death is happening all around us and we’ve always known that it’s our connection to others that is the most important. You can see Shayna performing this song live here

 

Life

By Marcelina with Travis Marcum 

Community Partner: Lifeworks

Simply titled Life, Marcelina wrote this lullaby to her daughter in Fall of 2019 in partnership with Austin community organization LifeWorks. With a deep message of hope for her baby, Marcelina is a strong, patient young mother who wanted to impart two things to her child through the lullaby process. One, she wanted her daughter to know that life is long and sometimes hard, but if you pay attention, it is beautiful. And two, she wanted her daughter to know that the two of them are connected in every way… forever. You can hear Marcelina singing her lullaby here

 

I Keep You Strong

By Davis with Travis Marcum and Amelia DeVivo

Community Partner: Annunciation Maternity Home

Written in Summer of 2015, Davis’ lullaby called I Keep You Strong conveys a beautiful message of solidarity and common purpose for mother and child. Davis wanted to express her belief that, as mother and son, the two of them will build each other up in times of hardship and for him to know that she will always be there for him. You can listen to I Keep You Strong here.

 

Felix’s Lullaby

By Felix with Arnold Yzaguirre and Claudia Chapa

Community Partner: Travis Co. Correctional Complex

Felix’s Lullaby is a statement of hope for a better future. Arnold worked with her TCCC to craft a message to her four children that expresses the most important sentiment… I love you now and forever. It is a soft descent into a peaceful place, a better tomorrow. You can listen to Felix’s Lullaby here.


We've Always Known: About Our Music & Healing Artists

Throughout the month of March we will be shining a light on ACG Music & Healing. On March 25-26, we will present a concert of some of the most memorable songs created by Music & Healing artists and participants over the years. The concert is called We’ve Always Known, and we’ve never done anything like it. We hope you’ll join us! Learn more about ACG Music & Healing here. Support ACG Music & Healing here

 

We are so excited to share ten stories and songs from our Music & Healing program in concert for the first time ever in a program called on We’ve Always Known March 25-26.

The concert will feature local superstars, Claire Puckett, Camille Sheiss, Daniel Fears, and our very own Travis Marcum. 

We wanted to take a moment to dive a little bit into the amazing things these artists do not only for ACG, but in their personal lives as part of the music community in Austin, TX. 

 

Claire Puckett was one of our first students in our Education programs here at ACG, just down the road at McCallum High School! We’ve been connected for many years now and we are continuously so blown away by everything she accomplishes as a musician and artist. 

Claire is a member of the chamber-rock band Mother Falcon – a collective of more than twenty musicians playing strings, horns, guitars, and percussion – as well as the band Hikes

Check out this incredible Tiny Desk performance by Mother Falcon:

https://youtu.be/JaoUMbHvsc0?t=513

 

Camille Sheiss is a very talented violinist, caring teacher, and a member of Magnolia Kids and American Dreamer

Their sounds fit in the space between indie, bedroom pop, jazz, and R&B. They found their sound by blending their classical, soul, and folk origins and being playful in their expression. 

Listen to Magnolia Kids here:

https://youtu.be/6zEyHsA0XhY

 

Singer-songwriter Daniel Fears graduated from the University of Texas and went on to get a masters degree from Yale with the intention of being a professional classical musician. However, life led him down the path of R&B and he went for it. 

This month he was nominated as KUTX’s Artist of the Month! You can read his interview here and listen to some of the magic he creates here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjVmJ4v_l0E

And last but certainly not least, ACG Director of Education and Music & Healing, Travis Marcum has helped build hundreds of classroom guitar programs worldwide. He is also the founder of ACG’s Music & Healing initiative, providing unique music programming for Austin community members experiencing significant challenges or trauma.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhI0wYH-BvI

We could not be more excited and grateful to be able to connect with such beautiful human beings and share what they create with you, our community. 

Thank you.


ACG Music & Healing: What is a Music & Healing Artist?

Throughout the month of March we will be shining a light on ACG Music & Healing. On March 25-26, we will present a concert of some of the most memorable songs created by Music & Healing artists and participants over the years. The concert is called We’ve Always Known, and we’ve never done anything like it. We hope you’ll join us! Learn more about ACG Music & Healing here. Support ACG Music & Healing here

 

We are so excited to reimagine and share ten stories and songs from our Music & Healing program in concert for the first time ever in a program called We've Always Known, on March 25-26. Find tickets here.

The concert will feature local superstars, Claire Puckett from Mother Falcon and Hikes, Camille Sheiss from Magnolia Kids and American Dreamer, singer songwriter Daniel Fears, and our very own Travis Marcum.

ACG Music & Healing brings beauty, a medium of expression, and deep connection to individuals facing hardship or trauma, through music, community, and kindness. Our artists visit with participants for weeks connecting on hopes, dreams, memories, and reflections, to create an inspiring personal song together.

This week we had the chance to hear from Daniel Fears on what a Music & Healing artist is and some of things they have the opportunity to experience as part of this program. Listen to his reflection here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKWvU4mpkrY


HOME Concert Tour

HOME CONCERT TOUR

A collaboration between Albuquerque Academy, Austin Classical Guitar and Guitar New Mexico Youth Guitar Ensembles.

Guitars galore! Inspired by places, memories and experiences that evoke a sense of home, this unique endeavor will bring together around 40 High School classical guitar students to perform recently written works for guitar ensemble.

If you are near Albuquerque, New Mexico – join us for an amazing afternoon with these talented and dedicated young musicians!

 

Saturday March 11th, 3pm

Outpost Performance Space 210 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Tickets: $3-5 Info and tickets are available here

Sunday March 12th, 5pm

Albuquerque Academy Simms Auditorium – 6400 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM

Free and Open to the public


HOME #5: A Conversation with Visual Artist Barry Stone

Our season theme is HOME. We will dive into the natural world, culture, and human connection, and we’re inviting you to participate all along the way! Join us on February 18 at the gorgeous Austin ISD Performing Arts Center for the centerpiece of our season. Learn more here. We would like to thank atsec information security for their generous sponsorship of Marek’s residency and our home project. 

 

We’re so excited to celebrate Home next weekend at the gorgeous Austin ISD Performing Arts Center! 

We will be blown away by ACG Artist-in-Residence, Marek Pasieczny’s big beautiful composition, called The Elements. He’ll be joined by percussion super-talent Thomas Burritt and Grammy-nominated cellist Bion Tsang, as well as a guitar orchestra of over 80 players of all ages led by Joe Williams. We’ll even have breathtaking video projections of Texas landscape by photographer Barry Stone!

This week we had the opportunity to connect with visual artist Barry Stone!  

Barry got his MFA from the University of Texas and has taught photography at the International Center of Photography and the Pratt Institute in New York! He has been teaching in the School of Art and Design at Texas State University since 2007. As an artist, Barry creates his own photo books and has had his work shown internationally. He has also been represented by Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery in New York since 2005. 

This concert is inspired by home. Home means a lot of different things to different people. Barry shared what Home means to him,

“Geographer Yi Fu Tuan has written that home is a ‘nurturing shelter…where life begins and ends.’ In this sense home is a physical place, a kind of duration, as well as something felt. I feel that rings true.”

We connected with Barry while he was at Shield Ranch making improvisational guitar field recordings and photographs for his web-based project, Porch Swing Orchestra. Barry shared, 

“Also touring the property was ACG board member, Stacia, who when I said I wasn’t classically trained, said, “I know some folks that are!!” and she put me in touch with Matt and Joe. Joe met me at my show of Lost Pines at Lora Reynolds Gallery where we had a lovely conversation and floated the idea of incorporating the images into the HOME project. My daughter and I came to hear Marek play and preview some of the show and were blown away. This is going to be such an amazing and ambitious piece. I am so excited and humbled to play a part in this important world premiere.

When Marek completed the score, Joe helped me map it out. We talked about moods and pacing and I was able to test some of the imagery on the system at the gorgeous AISD PAC. I think it looks super exciting!”

In Barry’s latest book and exhibition, Lost Pines, he combined photographs taken over a 10-year span in the wake and recovery of the Bastrop County Complex Fire. Barry shared a bit about this project,

“These images serve as a kind of envelope enclosing a group of pictures I recently discovered in an old undeveloped roll of film taken of the inside of my grandad’s trailer which tragically caught fire and took his life in 2002. The work also includes polaroids rescued from the detritus my grandad made in and around his home in Magnolia, Texas. The work contains many cycles of life, the end of one life, and the return of the pine forest.

I am heavily invested in the history of photography but equally interested in exploring new avenues. The images from Lost Pines are black and white and owe much of their formal construction to 19th Century photographers like Gustave Le Gray and Carleton Watkins. In some of the images, however, I open the digital file of the photograph with a code editing program used by programmers and scramble the code of the file to create generative aberrations or glitches. These glitched works render the forest in a kind of melting burn.”

We couldn’t be more grateful to connect and collaborate with so many talented local artists. We’ll be able to see some of the images from Lost Pines at our celebratory concert on February 18! Find tickets here. Learn more about Barry Stone and his artwork here


Workshops at The Rosette: A Conversation with Tami Rohn

Playing music for other people is one of the most special and rewarding things we can do as musicians. But for so many of us, performing for an audience can seem daunting and unreachable, which can keep us from even trying. In our Performing 101 Workshop, we will demystify the art of performing and develop comfort with this incredible skill so that we can feel confident sharing our music with others. Learn more here

 

We are so grateful to have the space and opportunity to host guitar classes and workshops in our new home, The Rosette. We have a few classes and workshops beginning in February! 

One of these classes being offered is Evan Taucher’s Performing 101 Workshop.

This week we had the chance to speak with Tami Rohn, a previous attendee of Evan’s Workshop.

Tami has been a musician her whole life, beginning with the piano at seven years old. She became connected with ACG in 2010 and has been participating in our community ensembles for years! Tami shared, 

“I have a hearing loss in both ears that has progressively gotten worse over time.  I’m the youngest of 4 and my siblings all play the piano.  When I was 7 years old I asked to take piano lessons, much to the surprise of my parents.  I have always loved music and 

my hearing loss has not stopped me from enjoying playing as well as listening to it.  I asked for a folk guitar when I was a teenager and taught myself to play.  One year when I was in college I had the summer off and decided to take a fun class, which was “Classical Guitar.”  That started a deep interest in learning more and I even attended my first Classical Guitar Concert soon after.  There’s something amazing in holding a guitar and not only playing and hearing the music, but feeling the deep vibrations resonate through the wood and into my body.  

I no longer have the folk guitar but at that time I had a cheap, Martin Classical Guitar that I started with.  The director (Tony Mariano is my 3rd director) was very patient with me as I had to really work on learning the guitar and learning to play with the ensemble. That particular guitar did not work well for my hearing loss and I discovered by the end of the season that I needed to upgrade, which I did.  From then the journey began with ACG and a deep desire to continue to play and master the instrument continued.”

Though Tami is musically inclined in many ways, she still had a desire to continue her growth. She shared, 

“I had been looking for ways to better myself as a musician and when Tony offered an Open Mic night in May 2022, I participated and actually played a piece, from memory, in front of an audience.  That alone did wonders for my confidence and fueled my desire to improve myself as a musician.  Evan’s first workshop was the “Technique Workshop”.  I knew that would be the perfect workshop and I quickly registered for it.  I also participated in his “Fretboard Mastery Workshop” and “Performance 101 Workshop”.  From each workshop I felt that I was learning the skills to become a better Classical Guitar musician.  Evan is very patient, thoughtful and highly encouraging.

I think that out of all of the workshops I enjoyed Performance 101 the most.  I learned a lot from Fretboard Mastery and that was the most challenging workshop for me, but Evan gave us the skills and confidence to continue practicing even after the workshop was finished.  The Performance 101 was fabulous as we each picked a piece that we learned and played for each other as if we were truly a Master Guitarist performing in a Grand Concert Hall.  That was fun, creative and I enjoyed hearing feedback not only for myself but also for my fellow workshop members. I highly recommend these workshops for anyone that wants to improve as a Classical Guitarist.”

It brings us so much joy to connect with our community and with ourselves through music. These classes are open to anyone no matter their musical background! We have beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses. Learn more about each of them here.


Music & Healing: Life by Marcelina with Travis Marcum

ACG Music & Healing brings human connection, beauty, and expressivity to individuals facing isolation and challenge, through collaboration with a skilled and trained ACG Artist. These services are available to a wide variety of clients through partnerships with more than a dozen social service providers including hospitals, shelters, residential rehabilitation facilities, parental education and family health organizations, and veterans service providers. Learn more about ACG Music & Healing.

 

Happy New Year from the Music & Healing Team! We have a very special song to share by Marcelina, written with Director of Music & Healing, Travis Marcum, entitled Life.

Travis told us,

“I had the pleasure of working with Marcelina and her daughter at LifeWorks! Marce is a strong, patient, young mother who wanted to impart two things to her baby through the lullaby project. First: she wanted her daughter to know that life is long, sometimes hard, but if you pay attention…it can be beautiful. Second:  she wanted her daughter to know that the two of them are connected, and will be forever. 

“Marce’s goal for this project was to write and sing her lullaby for her baby. She used to play the guitar and sing all of the time when she was in school, but had to stop once her baby was born because things got busy. This was her opportunity to revisit her talent and create something she is proud of. The result is a deep, beautiful message for her daughter, in her voice… simply called Life.”

Listen to Life

Special thank you to Teen Parent program staff at LifeWorks who referred Marcelina to the Lullaby project and helped so much in the creation of this song.


Rosette Classes & Workshops

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If you play classical guitar, or wish you could, you've reached the right place! We have some wonderful opportunities coming up this spring at The Rosette.

Beginning & Intermediate Guitar Classes

Arnold Yzaguirre’s fun and popular eight-week class for adult beginners starts Tuesday, February 7 at 6pm! By popular demand, there’s even a Level II class that meets Tuesdays at  7:15pm! Learn More

Advanced Guitar Class 

Arnold is also hosting an advanced guitar class for those comfy with guitar basics and hungry for more! This eight-week class begins Wednesday, February 1 at 6pm. Learn More.

Workshop: Performing 101

Demystify the art of performing and develop comfort and confidence sharing your music with others in Evan Taucher's Performing 101 workshop. This 8-session workshop begins February 1, and meets at either 5:30pm or 7pm. Learn more

Open Mic Nights

Stay tuned for three open mic nights coming this spring when you’ll be able to show off your skills at The Rosette for a supportive and enthusiastic audience! We would love to hear our community’s passion for music come alive. Practice performing in a fun and pressure-free environment! Our first open mic will be March 1 at 7pm. Email tony@austinclassicalguitar.org if you'd like to participate.


ACG Top Ten of 2022

2022 has been such a beautiful and productive time for ACG! Each December, we pause to reflect on the last 12 months and put together a list of some of our favorite moments. We are so grateful to have so much growth, opportunity, and magic happening year after year. We hope you enjoy reading this year’s Top 10 list as much as we enjoyed putting it together!

If something you see here touches your heart or brings you joy, we hope you’ll consider making a gift to ACG today. We have set an ambitious goal of raising $250,000 by December 31st. Your gift will turn into services and resources that support guitar education programs in more than 50 local schools and five juvenile justice centers, Music & Healing collaborations in medical centers and shelters, and the personnel and equipment we need to help our new home, The Rosette, become a shining cultural beacon for our entire community.

Donate now on our support page or by texting GIVEACG to 44321.

And without further ado…our top 10 for 2022!

#10 HOME: Marek & Bion

Our Artist-in-Residence, Marek Pasieczny, is working with over eighty guitarists of all ages, across Texas, alongside incredible musicians Bion Tsang and Thomas Burritt, to make a monumental tribute to our planet that we’ll premiere on February 18.

Marek spent November in Austin, and did all sorts of amazing things (blog series) culminating in a marvelous set of concerts with Bion Tsang at The Rosette! Special thanks to atsec information security for their ongoing support of ACG’s Artist-in-Residence program.

#9 The Lodger

This Summer we released Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent thriller, The Lodger, with a lush and evocative new musical score composed by ACG Artistic Director Joe Williams, in partnership with Alamo Drafthouse and Criterion! 

Tim League, Alamo’s Founder and Executive Chairman, recommended the film to us several years ago. Joe watched it countless times, fell in love with the story, the characters, and the cinematic mastery, and spent months writing a carefully detailed, beautiful, and haunting ninety-minute piece of music for four guitars and cello that compliments Hitchcock’s masterpiece perfectly. Now it’s available streaming worldwide!

Watch Matt Hinsley interview Joe and Tim here, or click below to stream the movie!

#8 Music & Healing: I Am Strong

ACG Music & Healing brings human connection, beauty, and expressivity to individuals facing isolation and challenge, through collaboration with a skilled and trained ACG Artist. 

One of our participants, Misty, wrote this fall: “I think it’s so awesome to be able to turn something that sometimes seems like a death sentence into a beautiful piece of hope.”

Each song is unique and moving. We invite you to listen to I Am Strong, written and performed by a young woman at Red Oak Hope along with Music & Healing Artist Claire Puckett. It took our breath away. 

 

#7 Students Doing Amazing Things

We’ve been blown away by the sheer talent, dedication, leadership, and passion from students in our education programs. Their gifts are on full display during the Student Spotlight concerts we host at The Rosette – here’s a playlist! We’re also super proud of this year’s Javier Nino Scholarship winners – you can meet them here

Last April, 41 ensembles from schools across central Texas played for judges as part of the Concert & Sight Reading event we help organize each spring. Two weeks prior to this year’s competition, the director of the Bowie High School guitar program had to take leave unexpectedly. When we heard this news, we expected Bowie to withdraw from the event. That didn’t happen. Besa Carney, a freshman(!) at Bowie, decided she would pick up the conducting baton and lead her class to Sweepstakes! Here she is conducting her peers like a seasoned pro. Amazing!

#6 Season Finale : Caballero Plays Phillips

ACG commissioned our very own Justice Phillips to compose a new piece for Jorge Cabballero to perform as part of our 21-22 Season Finale last May. You may know Justice as ACG’s Patron Services Director, but he’s also a marvelous guitarist and composer.  The piece is called Coming Out Party and in a reflection, Justice shared that “The experience of working with Jorge has helped me grow as a composer and musician!” 

 

#5 Juvenile Justice: ‘It’s Amazing’

Hector Aguilar is our new Director of Juvenile Justice Services, and he’s doing a remarkable job!

One of our Phoenix House students was recently approved to come perform at The Rosette. It was his very first time performing for anyone. He played his two pieces beautifully, and afterward shared what his experience with the guitar, and with Hector, means to him.

“It’s amazing. It truly changed my life. It does a lot for me. It gives me peace and it gives me happiness. I love this art of playing the guitar. It’s just beautiful. I’m really grateful for you. I’m thankful to have you as my teacher. You’ve done a lot for me. And no matter how many times I thank you, it’s never going to be as much as I mean it.”

 

#4 Teacher Summit: Where I’m From

This year’s teacher summit exceeded our expectations and lifted our spirits in remarkable ways. For the finale, teachers wrote personal poems, learned and practiced Travis Marcums piece “Where I’m From” and then gave a breathtaking performance. 

Learn more about the inspiration for this project in this blog written by Joshua Friedman, who is a new member of the ACG Development and GuitarCurriculum teams!

 

#3 Clarice Assad: Do What’s In Your Heart 

At ACG we bring our community together through creative collaborations and connections with artists because we believe music and kindness, together, make the world better. 

Last season triple Grammy-nominee Clarice Assad was our Artist-in-Residence. She made magic, and we captured it in this mini-documentary featuring 50 amazing young Austin artists, Jorge Caballero, the Mirò Quartet and a brand new piece called Mosaic Variations. Enjoy!

#2 ACG Education

Click this image and read this extraordinary letter from AISD Fine Arts Director Phillip Taylor, and you’ll see why ACG Education, something that started as a dream in one AISD school 21 years ago, is this year’s #2. So proud. So grateful.

#1 The Rosette!

In 2022 we opened our first home. The Rosette is a warm, beautiful, and welcoming space, and we look forward to sharing it with you for many years to come. It’s got its own website, and you can take a one-minute virtual tour here. Our deepest thanks go to Alamo Drafthouse founders Tim & Karrie League, without whom The Rosette could not exist.

Here’s one of our favorite Rosette concerts from 2022: Yamandu Costa! 

 

Thank You!

Everything we do at ACG is possible because of people who share our beliefs and choose to support our work. We would like to recognize the following individuals and institutions for their exceptional generosity during the past 12 months:   

3M Foundation, Ameriprise Financial, Ken Amstutz & Martha Carapetyan, Applied Materials Foundation, John & Diana Argersinger, Patrice Arnold, Arnold Foundation, in honor of Lazan Pargaman, atsec information security, Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology, A Gift in Honor of Glenn A. Belcher, A Gift in Honor of Paula F. Belcher , Shannon Belcher, Sandra S. Bosley, Kelley Bowen, Dan Bullock & Annette Carlozzi, The Family of Lynne Hsu Xavier, Megyn L. Busse, MD, Sarah & Ernest Butler, Pietro J. Caporusso, Edwina Carrington, Mike Chesser, Francisco & Graciela Cigarroa, City of Austin, Dr. Richard & Martha Coons, Corporate Environmental Solutions, The D’Addario Foundation, David & Christy Dauphin, Tres Davis & Paul Rogers, Stacia & Walt DeBill, Dr. Joaquin Delgado, Vince & Donna Lee DiLoreto, Bob Duke & Judith Jellison, Lucy & Bill Farland, Michael & Carol Fields, John & Miwa Flaherty, Ford Foundation, Kendal & Ken Gladish, Google, Laura Gutierrez-Witt, H-E-B, Ed & Janet Hess, Jacqueline Fox & Frank Hoffman, Richard N. Jernigan, Jewish Communal Fund, Jim & Marion Jirsa, Jim & Jennifer Judkins, Kaman Foundation, Elaine & Michael Kasper, Patrick Keel, Kristopher & Carey Kepler of Crossfit Central, Kodosky Foundation, Marty Kopra & Tom Gretzinger, Bob & Mary Pat Kozdemba, Karrie & Tim League, Debra Lewis, Long Foundation, Richard Mattingly, Katherine & Reid McCoy, Louise Epstein & John Henry McDonald, Carson & Michele McKowen, Mercedes-Benz of Austin, Bill Metz, Meyer Levy Charitable Trust, Mike Levy, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Delia & Ryan Mitchell, Kathleen Monahan & Mike Mullen, Patricia Ann Morrison, MFS Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation, Christa Pandey, Lazan & Bill Pargaman, Lloyd & Ferrell Pond, Kyle Pratt & Linda Longoria, Kerry & Carole Price, Rich & Caryn Puccio, Marcia Raff, The Raley Family, Raj & Sally Randeri, Drs. Simone Scumpia & Ion Ratiu, Rea Charitable Trust, Rick & Valeri Reeder, Peach & Cynthia Reynolds, Jacqueline Rixen, Robert Rodriguez, Ruth J. Rubio, Shanti Foundation for Intercultural Understanding, Stark Martin Charitable Trust, Judith Stich, Still Water Foundation, Alexis Takvorian, Texas Bar Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Women for the Arts, Tom Green & Company Engineers, Inc., TIAA, Russ & Janey Trowbridge, Brian & Virginia Urban, Webber Family Foundation, Maria Wells, White Lilacs Fund at Austin Community Foundation, Duwain Whitis & Barbara Vinson, Catherine & David Wildermuth, Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Jack & Vanessa Wolfe, Leslie & David Wolff Family Foundation, Greg Wooldridge & Lynne Dobson, Wright Family Foundation, Zack Zamora

 

Bonus Item

In our last concert of 2022, something beautiful happened. ACG’s Matt Hinsley, Angelica Campbell, and Justice Phillips did a special rendition of one of the world’s most beloved songs. Enjoy!