Bach & Britten weekend

Blog
  1. Minna & Co. rehearsing Bach E Major at the JCB Library
  2. Hector warming up in the basement of All Saints'
  3. Hector performing Bach's Musette at All Saints'
  4. CMW and Music Haven brunch
  5. Jesse and Barack
  6. Pre-concert "hearty snack" by Liz
  7. Bach E Major in concert at the JCB Library
  8. Ben Rous leading Britten's Simple Symphony

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Dear CMW folks,

My  visits to Community MusicWorks are always the most inspiring and endorphin-rushing experiences  of the year, and on these visits, I actually look forward to trekking up I-95. This past visit was the perfect antecedent to the spirit of Thanksgiving week.

From Sebastian’s big bear hug welcoming us at the first rehearsal, to Fred’s generous hospitality at our farewell meal, and all the jovial banter and enthusiastic music-making in between, the CMW Bach and Britten weekend is one that will stay in my memory for many years to come.

My highlights of the weekend were:

  1. Walking into the JCB Library and listening to Minna rock out on her Bach concerto while watching everyone else smiling in the audience (including the ghostly bust of JCB on the mantelpiece)
  2. Shaw Pong taking pity on my chattering teeth and lending me her fuzzy hat on the way to grabbing yummy AS220 tacos.
  3. Listening to Hector perform Bach Musette with confidence and aplomb
  4. Jessie M.’s blueberry French toast – was there a controlled substance in that dish?
  5. All the smiles exchanged during the last movement of the “Simple Symphony” at the JCB performance.
  6. Reflecting on the weekend on my drive home to New Haven and determining that building community for CMW is not just some theoretical “pie-in-the-sky” goal; CMW folks make it a real, palpable experience for everyone in their sphere. They put into action what most of us only hope for, and they have an astounding ability to be open and support each other each and every day.

Thank you, CMW, for inspiring all of us and for keeping it real.

Love,
Tina

[Editor's note: Tina is the founder of Music Haven]