Art and Music Organizations
Folk Arts Center of New England
The Folk Arts Center of New England is an incorporated nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting interest and participation in the traditional dance, music, and related folk arts of many cultures, and to supporting other groups and individuals with the same mission.
Melrose Arts and Cultural Association (MACA)
The Melrose Arts and Cultural Association (MACA) unites artists, arts organizations, patrons and other enthusiasts of culture to encourage, present and sustain artistic and cultural activities in Melrose, Massachusetts for the benefit of its citizens.
The Melrose Cultural Council is part of a grass-roots network of 329 local councils that serve every city and town in the Commonwealth. The program is the largest, most decentralized one of its kind in the United States.
The Melrose Symphony Orchestra is the oldest continuously performing volunteer orchestra in the United States. During the MSO’s long history, many illustrious names have appeared with the Orchestra including Arthur Fiedler. The mission of the Melrose Symphony is to give the citizens of Melrose and surrounding areas an opportunity to participate in the joy of music. The MSO’s success and vitality are a testament to the invaluable and enthusiastic support it receives from the community. The continuing existence of this Orchestra is a testimonial to the musical interests in this community and something unique in the annals of civic symphony orchestras in this country.
Denise Cecere and Sandra McNaught, co-directors of Northeast School of Ballet, and a small group of arts patrons who wanted to preserve the art of dance for a diverse range of young dancers founded the Northeast Youth Ballet in 1996. Since then, the company has produced ballets for hundreds of girls and boys from more than 30 cities and towns in Northeastern Massachusetts.
The Polymnia Choral Society currently has about 50 members. Its mission is to: promote the knowledge and enjoyment of a broad range of good choral music and to provide a wider access to that music; afford an opportunity for the people of Melrose and surrounding communities to sing sacred and secular choral music of high quality; present concerts and occasional other performances for the enjoyment of the public; and develop among the singers and the broader public of our communities an appreciation of fine music and high standards of choral work.
Melrose SchoolSmarts is a grassroots arts education advocacy group made up of community members that include artists, art appreciators, parents and educators. SchoolSmarts is doing an online community arts audit, the Melrose Arts Survey. Residents can share their views on the arts in Melrose, and their experience with the arts and music programs in the Melrose public schools.
E-mail: schoolsmarts@hotmail.com
Wakefield Repertory Theatre is a Wakefield-based non-profit organization whose mission is to build and sustain a lasting forum within the community for all to participate in the exploration and enjoyment of the theatrical arts. For additional information, please visit www.wakefieldrep.org or call WRT at (781) 245-1173. You may also email WRT at wakefieldrep@hotmail.com.