Artreach Music Program
Artreach Music Program Director Dick Pape is a career musician who has also worked in the mental health field. We are very lucky to have him on our team. Dick organizes Artreach's Annual Music Showcase; leads the Jazz group; and teaches guitar and bass lesson. He is also the band leader and lead guitar player for Shrink Rapt, one of two house bands that plays for up to 20 program member for the Music Showcase.
Annual Music Showcase, "Music Heals!"
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Every year, Artreach members choose songs to sing with our fabulous house band! 2024's tunes ranged from Barbra Streisand to Bowie. There's something for everyone.
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Concurrent with music showcase rehearsals, our art class makes art with a theme, such as 2024's "The Color of Sound," art inspired by musical genres. The art is exhibited in galleries in Southeastern CT.
International MAKE MUSIC Day!
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Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. All of it is free and open to the public.
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Artreach participates with Southeastern CT's Make Music Day. Each year, there are performances and participatory classes. From drumming classes and ukulele singalongs, jazz performances and acoustic song circles, the offerings are unique each year.
Jazz Group and Guitar Lessons
Dick Pape leads a weekly intermediate level jazz group. The musicians get together for two hours and play songs from the Jazz "Real Books." This is a wonderful afternoon of music, and the musicians get to learn new things from each other and hone their chops and improv skills.
The picture to the left shows the jazz group with guest drummer at Make Music Day.
Dick also teaches guitar and bass lessons when there is a group ready to learn to play.