Article About Faith's Place Published in PBG Lifestyle Magazine June 2014

‘Music for the Mind’ concert series closes its 12th year

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Ilana Lifshitz

Since June 2002, the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation has partnered with local music programs, groups and organizations to bring live music to CityPlace on the third Tuesday of every month.

These “Music for the Mind” concerts were developed as a result of the lack of music and music education in the school district, said Kathi Kretzer, creator of the “Music for the Mind” concerts. Despite proven studies saying music is beneficial to children’s lives, the district cut music from its budget. Kretzer wanted to keep music alive in the community. After going to CityPlace officials in 2002 to get a yearlong trial run, and seeing it as a major success, “Music for the Mind” was born.

All “Music for the Mind” concerts are held at the Harriet Himmel Theater, and this year’s final concert featured Faith’s Place Center for Arts Education, Inc., an after-school program for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The center focuses on educating the lives of these students via arts and music.

Noble Mays, the director at Faith’s Place, left the school district to create the center “because she absolutely loves what she’s doing and loves these children and wants to change their lives,” Kretzer said.

Faith’s Place students played piano, brass, violin, woodwind, steel drums, a drum line and danced at “Music for the Mind.” At press time, Kretzer said she expected to sell out of tickets or come close to a full house. In the past, the May slot was given to Palm Beach Opera with a sold-out concert, so Kretzer was hoping for the same result.

All monies raised by ticket sales went toward Faith’s Place so the center can purchase and/or repair steel drums and buy new music theory software.

“We don’t make any money off any of the performances, like I said,” Kretzer said. “We just do it because I love to promote music in the community and get children an opportunity to perform.”