Update as of 8 pm on Wednesday, May 21:

In the city council meeting today Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney cut short testimony after 2 hours. If you signed up to testify and were not able to, you are encouraged to submit a written version of what you were going to say either directly to the council testimony (link # 3 below) before the end of the day Wednesday May 21 or via the City Budget link below (link #1 below), or directly to your representative (link #2 below).

Thank you to the dozen people who bravely testified in person and virtually! Also thank you to the protesters and music students who showed up with signs and instruments!

1. Submit written comment about the budget 
2. Contact your City of Portland elected representatives 
3. Submit written testimony about the budget committee agenda before end of day May 21, 2025

See the KGW news story

See the Willamette Week news story

See the OPB news story

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URGENT CALL TO ACTION!

Dear CMC Supporters - 

We need your help - right away! Late last week councilor Steve Novick submitted an amendment in the City's budget process to permanently close down the Community Music Center as of September 1 of this year.

We need you to tell the council by their next meeting: "VOTE 'NO' ON AMMENDMENT #45 - DON'T CUT THE COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER!"  The Portland City Council meets to vote on the amendments on Wednesday, May 21, so please act now!

Please do one or more of these:

1. Submit written testimony about the budget  (easiest, less effective)
2. Contact your City of Portland elected representatives  (also easy and more effective)
3. Sign up to testify virtually or in person (best and most effective). Also contact me at board@communitymusiccenter.org to let me know. It is agenda item #16 with time certain of 11:45 am.

Tell them:

• What district you are in (see link below to learn more), 
  
• What CMC means to you and your community, and
  
• That you want CMC to stay open. 

Link: City council districts and their elected representatives

As you might know, the Community Music Center:

• Serves hundreds of families and households in over 50 zip codes throughout Portland, in every Council District,
• Has programs for all ages from kindergarten to seniors,
  
• Makes classes and lessons affordable, with up to 100% discount for low-income participants,
  
• Supports programs specifically serving Black & Brown youth, Latinx youth, LGBTQ+ youth, seniors, immigrants, and people with disabilities,
  
• Gives dozens of free, drop-in concerts a year, with livestream options for those who can't travel to CMC,
  
• Partners with organizations for programs in underserved areas in outer East Portland,
  
• Provides alternative to sports for youth afterschool activities,
  
• Contributes to the musical and economic vitality of Portland, 
  
• Relies on City general fund and Parks Levy dollars to operate, with additional significant program support from the non-profit CMC Inc.,
  
• Administers its programs with only 3 full-time a few part-time staff,
  
• Hires over 25 part-time performing artist-instructors from the community to provide about 8,000 hours of classes, lessons, and events per year,
  
• Is actively working with PP&R management and community groups to ensure its long-term facility needs. 

Please contact me if you have any questions: board@communitymusiccennter.org. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

-Judy Oringdulph Rompa, CMC President

 Community Music Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation.