One of the most memorable moments from my first year in CMW's Fellowship Program was at the spaghetti dinner and concert at the West End Community Center. I remember watching the Phase III students and the Providence String Quartet playing The Kompa Variations together. In the room that night were the Orion String Quartet, the Providence String Quartet, the Fellows, CMW students, and many families and friends of CMW.

When the Phase III students performed side-by-side with the Providence String Quartet, it was a special moment and I think everyone felt it—not just the people playing but everyone who was there could see that there was a special bond between the teachers and the students and their families, and that this community was being brought together by the power of music.

During the course of my two years here, I have had the great privilege of becoming a part of this community. CMW has shown me how music can play an important role in bringing people together. Looking out at all of the families and students and teachers at the final Performance Party, I realized how attached I have become in these two years to all of the people at CMW that have become such a huge part of my life. 

Thank you all for this making me a part of the CMW family!

-Adrienne Taylor, Fellow (08-10)

[Editor: In September, Adrienne will begin an intense one-year fellowship at the New England Conservatory, including a two-month research trip to Venezuela. The Abreu Fellows Program "provides
tuition-free training for outstanding young postgraduate musicians who seek to guide the
development of El Sistema programs in the U.S. and beyond."]

The end of my CMW fellowship has been sneaking up for months. It started around April when my students began to realize that I wouldn’t be their teacher next year – around the same time I realized I‘d have to let each of them go. Then came the “lasts.” the last time I performed with the Fellows Quartet; the last Phase II dinner provided by the incredible Linda Kane; the last Performance Party and potluck; the last picnic. Soon to come: the last staff meeting; the last performance as a member of the CMW Players (at least for now); and finally, the last time we set the alarm and frantically run out of the office.

There are too many incredible memories to name them all. Some of my
favorites were the concert trips I had a the pleasure to chaperon,
including a trip to Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory
where I attended graduate school. As we walked into the front lobby, I
saw many familiar faces. And when people asked what I was doing, it was
such a proud moment to say “This is my CMW family.” After the concert, I
was able to give them a tour of the historic building and share where I
worked so hard and learned so much.

There is also a stream of moments (Paul helping a young student double knot his laces at the Phase I retreat, Josh helping a nervous violist play through Jingle Bells, etc.) that were beautifully summed up by a friend who participated in the Institute for Musicianship and Public Service (IMPS). After witnessing our students interact over the weekend, he said “I’m amazed by how nice these kids are… even the teenage boys! This is rare!” He was right, this is rare. I’m just so thankful to have been a part of it.

-Jason Amos, Fellow (08-10)

[Editor: After CMW's week-long summer camp in July, Jason will be moving to Boston where, among other activities that he has been lining up, he will join the Boston Public Quartet and their residency at the Chittick School in Mattapan.]

Photos by Astrid

Most of CMW's seniors performed in a special recital that preceded the Performance Party on June 5. Here is the program from that recital:

Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G Major…… Bach
   Kirby Vasquez, cello

The Disturbed (and Happy) Farmer…… Schumann arr. Hernandez
   Christian Hernandez, violin

Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus…… Handel
   Enmy Cabrera, violin

Viola Concerto in G Major…… Telemann
Largo, Allegro, Andante, Presto
   Joshua Rodriguez, viola

Salut d'Amour…… Elgar
   Nkosi Anthony, violin

Concerto for Two Violins, Mvt. 1……. Bach
   Paul Oung and Luis Ortiz, violins

Congratulations seniors! We love you and we'll miss you. Come back and visit!

On May 18, six CMW high school seniors participated in the College Visions graduation ceremony, held at Beneficent Church on Weybosset Street. College Visions, a nonprofit housed at AS220 in downtown Providence, "provides low-income and first-generation college-bound youth in Rhode
Island with the individualized advising and resources needed to enroll
in college."

Through the year-long efforts of College Visions, we are very proud to report that six CMW students are headed to college in the fall: Enmy Cabrera (Guilford College), Luis Ortiz (McDaniel College), Paul Oung (Community College of Rhode Island), Christina Richardson (College of the Holy Cross), Josh Rodriguez (Guilford College), and Kirby Vasquez (Smith College).

Here is a brief video of Kirby describing College Visions and how her experience at CMW is shaping her future:

More photos by Jori in CMW's Flickr account.