History

George Merrick, the architect and developer of Coral Gables, honored his father in 1923 with what became the oldest established building and organization in Coral Gables: Coral Gables Congregational Church. The church, incorporated in 1924, grew to become a well-regarded champion of the arts.

In 1985, a Summer Concert Series—initially composed primarily of up-and-coming local artists—was inaugurated at the church. With the church’s central location in Coral Gables, its Spanish-revival architecture and acoustically pleasing, uniquely intimate environment, an immediate connection between audiences and concert artists was established. Forty-one years later, that connection continues.

In 2003, Mark Hart became Executive and Artistic Director of the Community Arts Program (CAP) to oversee the CAP Summer Concert Series and a new, after-school CAP Conservatory for the Arts — all based at the historic Coral Gables Congregational Church, across from the iconic Biltmore Hotel. CAP’s mission was stated: To provide educational and culturally-enriching experiences through the transforming power of music.

Today, the Summer Concert Series brings to Miami-Dade County a yearly roster of the most prestigious classical and jazz artists from around the world, and an affordable world-class experience for guests from South Florida and beyond. During their CAP Summer Concert Series tenure, artists also teach CAP Summer Master Classes and Jam Sessions. These offer a unique opportunity for children, youth, and adults to engage and learn. Throughout COVID, CAP VIRTUAL Summer Concert Series performances were broadcast locally and to the world over CAP media (i.e., Facebook, IGTV, YouTube, and the CAPcast® portal at CommunityArtsProgram.org). The series returned on-ground in summer 2022. 2027 will mark the CAP Summer Concert Series 42^nd, consecutive season.

The CAP Conservatory for the Arts offers an affordable music program to all children and youth—no matter what their circumstance or ability—through needs-based, sliding-scale tuition and curricula. This was expanded to also include, with a Knight Arts Challenge Grant, the CAP Miami Jazz Institute. This formalized a CAP Jazz Curriculum that introduces more Miami-Dade County children to the “Great American Art Form”, broad music-genre studies, in-depth harmony and composition classes, and greater performance opportunities through participation in CAP Jazz Ensemble PLUS.

Each week from September-May, enrolled students attend CAP Saturday Music Classes held at the Coral Gables Congregational Church Arts and Education Wing and Early Childhood Center. Students receive one-on-one instruction on their chosen instrument (e.g., strings, piano, woodwind, percussion, brass, guitar, mandolin, voice) and comprehensive classes in music theory. Music theory testing and juried performance evaluations are held throughout the year. On Monday evenings from August-May, students participate in one of five active-learning ensembles.

Ensembles include CAP Creative Strings and—as part of the CAP Miami Jazz Institute—CAP Jazz Ensemble PLUS. CAP is one of 15 youth jazz band programs from throughout the United States and Canada chosen via audition to perform in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Festival. A minimum of five performances throughout Miami-Dade County are offered each year by CAP Ensembles. Throughout COVID March 2020 through May 2021, all classes, rehearsals, and performances migrated to and thrived on successful online platforms (i.e., CAP Zoom and the CAPapp®). The Conservatory returned on-ground in August 2021. Fiscal year 2026-2027 is CAP’s 23^rd, uninterrupted season of providing music education to Miami-Dade County children and youth.

CAP Records® was established as a grassroots label for unique recordings with adventurous artists of distinction. It also provides after-school CAP Conservatory for the Arts’ students with a platform for recording and the valuable growth that comes from listening. The first release—available through Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby—features the work of the CAP Jazz Ensemble on the CD With a Swing! A June 2018 release To Brahms, With Love presents renowned cellist Amit Peled on the exact cello of legendary Pablo Casals. In August 2018, CAP Records® became a member of the American Recording Academy (producer of the GRAMMY® Awards).

In SUMMARY, the Community Arts Program (CAP) continues to build on its following four exceptional and enriching cultural and educational curricula.

CAP SUMMER CONCERT SERIES presents world-class artists to South Florida who, in addition to performance, teach master classes as part of CAP Summer Master Classes and Jam Sessions.

CAP CONSERVATORY FOR THE ARTS provides after-school affordable, one-on-one instrument training, music theory, harmony and composition, and ensemble and performance curricula for children and youth from over 53 schools throughout Miami-Dade County.

CAP MIAMI JAZZ INSTITUTE leg of the after-school CAP Conservatory for the Arts introduces more Miami-Dade County children and youth to the “Great American Art Form,” broad music-genre studies, and in-depth harmony and composition studies.

CAP RECORDS® grassroots label for unique recordings with adventurous artists of distinction. It also provides after-school CAP students with a platform for recording and the valuable growth that comes from listening.