about us
Crescendo North America is a movement of Christian artists in classical music, jazz and other art fields. We are part of the global network of Crescendo International.
We network, inspire and strengthen artists through a wide variety of projects such as meetings, conferences, forums, concerts, and workshops.
We encourage professional musicians, artists, and students to allow themselves to be guided by God in their life and work.
How we live out this vision always looks a little different from place to place. There are artist network meetings, musicians prayer meetings, play & pray, and of course various musical and artistic projects.
Crescendo North America is organized in hubs in major cities, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fargo ND, Los Angeles, Montréal, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and with new cities beginning programs regularly. To become part of the Crescendo movement, please sign up with the Christian Musician’s Link! We will be happy to connect you with other Crescendo musicians in your area.
Our Vision
Crescendo North America presents and integrates the Gospel within the world of Arts and Culture in authentic and relevant ways.
Crescendo North America brings a vibrant Christian movement to musicians and artists to help them become part of a praying, seeking, and sharing fellowship.
Crescendo North America collaborates with churches and other Christian organizations in and through the Arts.
Organization
Crescendo North America is part of Crescendo International, a Christian movement made up of professional musicians and music students as well as other artists. We work alongside cultural institutions and Christian churches of all denominations.
Founded in 1985, Crescendo has since grown into an organization operating on a world-wide scale. The international office is located in Basel, Switzerland. Crescendo is part of the Swiss interdenominational movement (and association) Campus für Christus / Agape Europe / Cru.
Networking
Serving
Believing
What we do
We NETWORK musicians locally, regionally, and around the world. We are happy to connect you with other Crescendo musicians in your area.
We support a network in which SERVING is a priority. Crescendo serves musicians and other professional artists in various ways. With concerts, festivals and our publications, we also aim to serve the broader society.
Our most important motivation comes from BELIEVING in the Christian message. We want to open paths to belief and to support faith. We therefore also work with churches of all denominations - and SERVE them through high quality art.
Mission
Crescendo is
Networking professional Christian musicians around the world through...
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Local, regional, & international groups, meetings, conferences
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Christian Musicians Link, an international list of Christian musicians
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Facebook and social media
Supporting musicians in their faith and profession through…
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Prayer groups in orchestras, opera companies, choruses, wind and chamber ensembles, and music schools
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Personal mentoring and counseling
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Regional and international conferences
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Weekly TUNE Ins, spiritual messages for artists sent via email
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Leadership programs
Reaching out to the wider cultural world through…
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Founding and supporting local musician’s groups
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Crescendo Forums, low key meetings for musicians & other artists
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Books, Concerts, Art Festivals, House Concerts
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Crescendo Jazz activities
Serving churches, Christian ministries, other artists through…
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Night of Faith: A Festival for Art & Church, a city-wide project with Christian artists (actors, dancers, film makers, musicians, etc.)
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PLAY & PRAY: Developing new modes and methods of worship and intercession through improvisation
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REAL FAITHBOOK: Jazz scores of 200 hymns
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Ministries in Africa such as “Music Road Rwanda” and Summer Institute in South Africa
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Collaboration with other arts organizations, such as ARTS+
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Outreaches in prisons, hospitals
Crescendo North America is organized in hubs in major cities: Boston, New York City, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Montreal, with new cities beginning programs regularly. To become part of the Crescendo movement, please sign up with the Christian Musicians Link! We will be happy to connect you with other Crescendo musicians in your area.
hub leaders
Dallas/Fort Worth
Ellen Rose
Ellen Rose was Principal Violist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra 1980-2017. She presents recitals and masterclasses. Since 1980, she has been on the faculty of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Fargo, ND
Mariane Wottrich
Specialized in French repertoire, soprano Mariane Wottrich has presented recitals, masterclasses, and workshops across the nation and abroad. She recently joined North Dakota State University as assistant professor in voice and opera.
Jackson
Tim Walker
Director of Choral Arts at Belhaven University and the Minister of Music at Christ United Methodist.
Los Angeles
Steven Gross
Dr. Steven Gross is Professor of Horn and Head of the Wind, Brass and Percussion Area at the University of California - Santa Barbara. He is a former member of the Atlanta Symphony, National Symphony, and for 24 years, Principal Horn of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
Los Angeles
Pascal Salomon
Pascal Salomon is a concert pianist, founder of Salomon Music Academy, and Church Music Director in Santa Barbara, California. His background includes faculty at Geneva Conservatory of Music in Switzerland, faculty at Westmont College Santa Barbara, and collaborator for Crescendo International.
Nashville
MaryGrace Bender
Cellist MaryGrace Bender pursues a multi-faceted career in performance, recording, and music education. Bender is a Suzuki teacher leading a full studio of students in the Nashville area. She also records for various local Nashville recording studios and is the founder of the Nashville Chamber Music Society and THE JOY PROJECT.
New York
Heather Bixler
Heather Martin Bixler is a classical violinist and Irish fiddler whose playing has taken her all over North America, Europe, and Asia. A graduate of Indiana University, The Juilliard School, and University of Memphis. She has performed in many major concert halls including Musikverein in Vienna and Carnegie Hall in New York.
Pittsburgh
Anne Williams
Anne Martindale Williams has enjoyed a successful career as principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 1979. Throughout her tenure with the orchestra, she has often been featured as soloist both in Pittsburgh and on tour in New York at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall.
Seattle
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Anthony Spain
Conductor Anthony Spain has been Music Director of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (NWSO) since 1987. Under his direction, the NWSO has been committed to the community and local composers and have garnered eight National ASCAP awards for “Programming of Contemporary Music,” and been
featured several times on National Public Radio.
Vancouver
Ben Ewert
Actively involved in musical worship ministry for over twenty years, Ben Ewert, baritone, is currently the Minister of Worship at First Baptist Church Vancouver. He has been privileged to lead music and worship arts programs in non-denominational, Baptist, and Anglican churches both in Canada and the UK, and as precentor of the chapel at Churchill College, Cambridge.