The price for this is $50 a team for per-registration, $75 day of event. Tickets will go on-sale soon!

It is sponsored by Microsoft.

Tickets are on sale NOW!!

$12 donation at the door or pre-sale

$40 donation for our VIP Package, which includes preferred seating, Viva merchandise, and your name listed as a Silver Sponsor on our website. The VIP Packages are limited in quantity – we recommend ordering VIP tickets in advance!

We now have three AWESOME musicians locked in for VM4! We are so excited to see them all!

EDEN

The opening act for VM4 at Famous Dave’s is EDEN!

Formed in 2009, the 5 piece rock group continues to wow audiences at shows all across the Metro. With a great blend of keys, bass, drums, two guitars and vocals, the group’s dynamics and depth in music are impressive, and always leave audiences wanting more.

Eden has played shows for audiences for up to 400 people, and have played (and sold out) venues such as First Avenue, the Fine Line Cafe, and Station 4. Additionally, the band has received radio play on stations all over the Midwest, from KAXE in Bemidji to Alternative Ames in Ames, Iowa. They are currently recording a 6 song EP, due out in June of 2012. See and hear more at:
www.edentheband.com

Source: MickSterlingPresents.com

Mick Sterling

Mick Sterling has been in the music business for over 30 years. He has played with several bands and is well known in Minnesota for his musical talents. His band, MICK STERLING AND THE STUD BROTHERS, was recently inducted into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame. To read Mick’s full bio, hear music samples, read his blog, or purchase his music, visit www. micksterlingpresents.com.

Source: kurtjorgensen.com

Kurt Jorgensen

Minneapolis’s own Kurt Jorgensen Band (KJB) was founded in 2000. KJB officially ahs 6 members but can be seen around town playing acoustically with 4 members, or even 2 members. P.D. Pappy’s in Stillwater and Nye’s in Minneapolis are frquent venues for this busy band. To read KJB’s bio, purchase and sample music, and view their schedule, visit www.kurtjorgensen.com

Jonathan Hayft- Chairman of the Board, Logistics                                                

Haley Johnson (Twin Cities)- Artist Relations

Erin Belanger- Executive Director

Marium Asif- Vice President

Kirk Brown- Board Member- Marketing and Public Relations Director

Zach Braid- Board Member, Business and Finance Manager

Katie Braid- Donation Coordinator

Jon Belanger- Music Coordinator

Kayt Dowling- Design and Graphics Manager

Millie Morris (Brainerd) – Artist Relations

“Viva Musica has made an immediate and lasting impact on our school band program!  Not only did the organization donate considerable funds to the school district, they also offered their time and energy through personal visits.  In particular, Erin visited our middle school many times to meet the students and staff.  She developed a friendly rapport with us.  It was quite amazing to see how she engaged students and staff when she visited.  She had quality conversations with our principal, several staff members and many students.  Her dedication to finding our greatest need as a band program meant a lot to our school!  The final decision was to purchase new percussion equipment and repair some items in our current inventory.  A few weeks later, after our new instruments arrived and the repairs were completed, Erin came back to see the progress.  She attended our spring band concert and was able to meet our community members.  Her passion for music and art education was clearly evident and we are ever-grateful for her commitment to improving our student’s music education.  Viva Musica made us feel special and it was particularly fulfilling to watch our students experience such a great example of philanthropy.  It has been inspirational and has transformed our community!  Thank you Viva Musica!”

~Jake Morris, Watertown-Mayer Middle School Band Director

Erin Belanger

Founder and President, Viva Musica

“I started playing violin in the sixth grade orchestra in rural Minnesota. I loved hearing music transpire with our bows and fingers as it came alive and filled the room with emotion.  In high school, our orchestra could be found carrying instruments through airports and as we toured in New York City and London.  We performed in old churches and even at the World Trade Center. The whole experience was amazing. As we traveled and performed, I found myself in awe of the sights, the history, and the museums. Music had introduced me to an education of the world filled with different colors, foreign languages, personalities and possibilities around every corner. My exposure to music led me to discover my passion for travel.
“After graduating high school, I set off to explore the world and invited the scenery with its challenges to deepen and enhance my character.
“Once I graduated college, I had realized that not all school orchestras were privy to going on tour. In fact, a lot of schools all over the country are being forced to make cut-backs and the arts are the first subjects to be taken out of the curriculum. I stated imagining what it would be like if there were no more music or art classes anymore and that is when Viva Musica entered the scene.
“I created Viva Musica so that schools could keep their arts programs. We have a benefit which includes great Minnesotan musicians who perform, and local artists to display their masterpieces. The goal is to have a win-win from everyone; musicians inspiring future musicians and artists inspiring young artists to follow their passion and express themselves. Schools and programs are invited to apply for our grants and we help where we can.
“With your help, we can keep music and art in our school systems and give each student a complete education and allow a child to discover his or her passion.”

 

 Erin Belanger founded Viva Musica in 2006. She studied Global Studies and International Human Rights Law at the University of Minnesota. Today she lives in San Diego and promotes music and arts education. She also enjoys her work in tourism.

2. Studying music contributes to spatial intelligence or the ability to perceive the world accurately. The brain’s ability for this type of critical thinking is necessary for everything from solving mathematical equations to being able to pack a book-bag with everything that will be needed for the day.

3. Students of the arts learn to think creatively and are better able to solve problems by imagining several solutions.

4. Recent studies show that children who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT. These students have a greater chance of staying in engaged in school and also achieve higher grades.

5. Studying the arts provides children with an internal glimpse of other cultures and teaches them to be empathetic and tolerant. This development of compassion and an “others first” attitude, provides a respect of other races and societies at an early age.

6. Studying the arts is to learn a craft. Craftsmanship carries standards, and is naturally applied to a student’s character and work ethic. Studying a craft brings new level of excellence and requires a student to strive and reach challenges. Learning a craft also teaches to pay attention to detail.
7. In music, a mistake can be heard. It is only through hard work and dedication that a successful performance is possible. Through music study, students learn the value of sustained effort to achieve excellence and the concrete rewards of commitment and perseverance.

8. Teamwork skills and discipline are also learned though music. In order for an orchestra to sound good, every player must work together harmoniously. Every student must commit to the learning music, attend rehearsals, and practice.

9. The arts provide children with a means of self-expression. Art provides an outlet and gives life meaning and encourages us to strive for greater development. Everyone needs a place to express what they are thinking and feeling in order to achieve a balanced core and a healthy self-esteem.
10. Studying the arts as a child develops skills that are necessary in the workplace for adults. It focuses on doing and performing. Employers look for multi-dimensional workers who are flexible and intelligent. Music and art education helps students to learn communication skills and can better cooperate with one another.

11. Music performances and art shows teach students to accept criticism, conquer fear and to take risks. Students learn to deal with nervousness and anxiety which occurs often in life. When children put themselves in a position that tests their boundaries of comfort, they are taking a risk which enhances their character and depends potential.

12. An education in the arts exposes children to the remarkable.