Michael Arnowitt timeline of music and community projects

A timeline of Michael Arnowitt’s music and community projects over the last thirty years

Conceived and directed two innovative programs mixing choral, chamber music, and poetry: “Forty Years After,” about the WW II era, for the 1985 Gatherings festival, and a special event for Holocaust Remembrance Day in 1988
Conducted area performances of two of Bach’s greatest works, the B Minor Mass in 1987 and the St. John Passion in 1991. These performances used large and small size choruses, enabling community members of a variety of abilities to perform by dividing up the music in creative ways.
Organized a benefit concert after the Montpelier flood of 1992, featuring local performers of many types of music
In 1999, Michael was the principal organizer of a benefit concert that raised $10,000 for humanitarian aid for Balkan war refugees; in addition to the monetary funds, the concert collected 300 emergency first aid kits and needed clothing for the refugee camps.
Was artistic director of the Vermont Millennium Music Festival, one of the largest arts events ever in central Vermont. Over a four-day span in September 2000, the 24 concerts and special events of this festival presented in chronological order music from the year 1000 to the year 2000. A year and a half to plan, Michael selected the music and organized the over 300 performers featured at this festival, an extraordinary chronicle of the music and culture of the past thousand years.
Co-founder of the Green Mountain Jazz Series, a community group which from 2001 to 2006 presented jazz concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and special events
Many benefit performances to raise money for women’s groups, peace groups, organizations for people with disabilities, and other local and international causes
Over the years, Michael has given many free public lecture-demonstration talks on music topics at libraries, schools, art galleries, and other community spaces
Michael has made 7 trips to Europe and Russia to perform, and has made five recordings, including one of Vermont composers’ music; a documentary film about Michael’s life and music, Beyond 88 Keys, was released in 2004