About Us
Who are we?
We are a merger of two music clubs founded in Cleveland in 1912. We are musicians and music lovers who aim to promote the growth of skill, appreciation, and knowledge of music, in addition to encouraging future musical excellence by providing scholarships for young Northeast Ohio musicians.
Some members have graduated from conservatories or studied music at college. Some are or were professional musicians; others are amateurs. Several belong to local orchestras or chamber ensembles. Members include singers, pianists, violinists, violists, flutists, clarinetists, oboists, and horn players. And yet another large group consists of music lovers who enjoy listening to classical music.
What do we do?
We hold monthly meetings at several different venues. They include a music school, a senior residence, and several local churches. An hour or so is dedicated to musical performances, with each group or individual performing for 20 minutes.
Announcements and introductions are made at the beginning with socializing at the end.
When do we meet?
We meet at 1 PM on the third Friday of the month from September through May.
Where do we meet?
We meet at various venues around the Cleveland area, including the Lyndhurst Community of Faith Church, Judson Manor, the Forest Hill Church Presbyterian, and The Music Settlement.
Why Cecilian?
Cecilia of Rome was a Christian virgin martyr who lived in the early 3rd century CE. She is venerated in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran churches.
She became the patron saint of music and musicians, although probably only since the 16th century. Music in her honor was written by Charpentier, Handel, Gounod, Britten, and others.
She is often depicted playing the viola, a portative organ, or other musical instruments.
This musical club, though, has no relationship with any church or religion.
Her name can also be spelled Cecelia. And there is no connection between Cecilian and the similar sounding word Sicilian.
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Our History
The Cecilian Musical Art Society (CMAS) resulted from a 2023 merger of the Musical Art Society (MAS) and The Cecilian Musical Club (CMC), both founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1912. Statehood had just been attained by New Mexico (#47) and Arizona (#48), 2 years before the start of World War I and 9 years before women's suffrage. The use of electicity was still in its infancy.
CMC and MAS were sister organizations of musicians and music lovers whose aims included the promotion of growth in skill, appreciation, and knowledge of music, and encouragement of future musical excellence through scholarship awards. And, they were dedicated to preservation and advancement of musical culture that would continue well into the next century. Audition and performance standards were the criteria for membership. Regular meetings, held in members' homes, included vocal and instrumental performances and/or presentations of papers on selected composers or topics. These clubs sponsored musical and cultural events, and offered scholarship to promising young musicians in the Cleveland area.
Earlier in the 1900s the Saint Cecilia Quartet was organized by four pianists; Mrs. Allen Barber, Mrs. C.E. McDermott, Mrs. Frank Kerr, and Mrs. George Saint Amour. Their purpose included helping piano teachers and students, and performing for each other. From this group, the Cecilian Musical Club was officially founded, on February 19th, 1912. Over the years, the club grew in size and stature. The active performing membership grew to consist of vocalists and a wide range of instrumentalists, including pianists. The club met monthly in members' homes, including a potluck salad luncheon and desert, although the club's musical programs also took place in public venues.
In late 2022, CMC and MAS discussed a possible merger, completing it in June of 2023.