The Concord Academy Music Charity Organization (CAMCO) is a student-led initiative dedicated to supporting music education and expanding performance opportunities for CAstudents. Founded in 2025 by Alvin Zhai ’28 and Henry Lei ’28, the organization began as a freshman-led effort to address the limited number of performance platforms available to student musicians. Recognizing a shared commitment to advocacy, outreach, and artistic expression, the founders established CAMCO to promote music education through charitable donations, community engagement, and inclusive performance opportunities that foster a lasting appreciation for music.
This inclusive programming is guided by the experience and leadership of CAMCO’s co-heads, who bring extensive performance and organizational experiences from their involvement in large orchestras and ensembles outside of CA. Outside of CA, the coheads have also collaborated and supported many other music-related organizations that serve the larger community in the greater Boston area and beyond. “For example, one of such 501c3s provides musical instruments and teaching materials to schools and centres in underprivileged communities, supporting inclusivity and the musical education of children and youth populations across Massachusetts,” said Lei.
Throughout the academic year, CAMCO hosts regular concerts open to students, faculty, and guests. These concerts alternate between classical and contemporary genres and are thoughtfully organized around seasonal themes that align with the school’s academic calendar. For example, a chamber concert is typically held in December, and in the coming months, CAMCO will present its own student-led concert as part of this ongoing tradition. Moreover, the defining feature of CAMCO is its emphasis on instrumental diversity. The organization actively welcomes musicians from a wide range of backgrounds—including piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply, and CAMCO’s co-heads make a concerted effort to ensure performers with diverse musical backgrounds are represented.
The 2025–2026 performing season has marked a strong beginning for the organization. CAMCO’s January concert, held in the Centennial Art Center Recital Hall, featured a range of classical works performed by student violinists and pianists. The event showcased both technical skill and artistic expression, setting an encouraging tone for the remainder of the season. “Although this first year of operations was only meant to be a test run, we still made significant advancements and improvements to our operations and logistics, which gradually laid the groundwork for our final Family Concert in April. With this year’s experimenting and experience, we aim to bring more, higher-quality performances to the CA community in our next season,” said Lei.
Looking ahead, CAMCO plans to host piano and string competitions for its February programming, followed by a family concert in April. As the organization continues to expand its offerings, CAMCO invites more students to join and participate, further strengthening CA’s musical community.