Sebastian’s intro to the 09-10 season

Reprinted from CMW's 09-10 season program book

Welcome to our 13th season! Community MusicWorks continues to grow in our commitment to the intersections of performing, teaching, and community, and we are blessed to have you as a listener, participant, and supporter.

This season features some transitions for us. In the Providence String Quartet, we’re delighted that Minna Choi, a founding member from 2001-2004, is back playing with us this season. After five years with Community MusicWorks, our beloved Jessie Montgomery has moved to New York City to pursue her composing goals, although you can expect to see her back in Providence periodically wearing the different hats of violinist, composer, and Musical Workshop presenter. Also, we’re so happy that the Music Lab improvisation class that Jessie started continues to thrive with not one but four different members of our faculty leading weekly sections. It’s a testament to Jessie’s efforts that Music Lab has not only become oversubscribed, but also that improvisation is fast becoming a central thread in our curriculum.

In our concert series, expect to hear two string quartets by Mendelssohn (during this year of his 200th birthday), as well as quartets by Mozart, Beethoven, Bartok, and miniatures by Janacek. Also, you can expect quintets and sextets of Brahms, the fiery tango-inspired string nonet by Osvaldo Golijov, and a mix of sonatas, duos, and trios sprinkled throughout.

A new feature of this 13th season is a trimester system for our educational programs, and this means a new schedule of student performances, including Studio Recitals that are designed to give our students more opportunities to exhibit their solo talents. Also, thanks to the wonderfully thorough 18-month program evaluation led by Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf, we have found that our students seem particularly motivated by opportunities to perform as soloists in church or other public settings outside of CMW. This year, all of our students will be challenged by their teachers to set goals of “connecting to the community” through their music. Please look out for and support these student performances as you learn about them!

Lastly, if you read this welcome during the late winter and early spring months, you may notice my absence! After more than twelve years working to start and grow Community MusicWorks, our Board of Directors has generously offered me a three-month sabbatical in which to explore some musical goals. As hard as it is to imagine being away from this beloved enterprise and community, I am looking forward to the time and I am immensely grateful to the dedicated and capable staff who will “steer the ship” while I’m away. 

Thank you for your involvement and interest in CMW, and enjoy the season!

-Sebastian Ruth, Executive-Artistic Director