If you’ve already visited our website’s calendar page in search of event information, you know that it will be a few more weeks before any Providence Quartet events are posted. That’s because, while we may dream up many of our ambitious projects during our annual June planning week, it takes another week of staff meetings in mid-August to confirm which of our ideas can realistically come to fruition this season. (e.g. the complete Beethoven String Quartet cycle and the 24-hour all-Bach marathon concert will probably not happen… at least this year!)

However, to tide you through the lazy days of August (before the torrent of news and information is turned on after Labor Day), here are a just a few musical things to look forward to during our 11th season:

1. Beethoven String Quartets in late October.
2. Brandenburg Concerti in mid November.
3. Dvorak’s "American" Quartet and Quintet in late January/early February.
4. "Other Americas" in mid March. (??)
5. Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night) for string sextet in May.
6. Music by local composers on concert programs throughout the season.

The PSQ will return to the Providence Athenaeum (January & May), travel to NYC at least once (January), and visit a number of other favorite venues around town and further afield (perhaps Denver, Banff?).

A couple of other things to add to your calendar:

1. Imagining Art + Social Change, a conference hosted by CMW. (Thurs., March 27-Sat., March 29)
2. The annual CMW benefit event at the Regent Avenue School Building will feature a recital by violinist Elmar Oliveira and pianist Robert Koenig. (Sunday, May 4)

Should be fun!

-Heath Marlow, CMW staff

During our 11th season, we hope to finally sort out which instrument Jesse plays. It appears that he has not completely settled on the violin (or the viola).

Enjoy the vintage photo from Sebastian’s living room, circa 2001.

June 30 officially brings our 10th season to a close. Here is a short summary of activities:

39 performances by the Providence String Quartet & CMW Fellows
…
33 weeks of lessons
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18 Phase II meetings
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14 Fellowship Seminars
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9 Providence school visits (PSQ & Fellows)
8 Concert Trips
7 Musical Workshops
6 Board meetings
5 Performance Parties & Youth Salon
4 practice retreats
3 master classes
2 family picnics
1 incredible 10th season!

Itza, Kirby and Louis overcame the wind by the river, the sounds in the background, and difficult mikes to deliver a terrific performance at the FirstWorksKids festival on Saturday, June 16. They were supported by CMW board members Paula, Suzanne, and Siobhan who literally held their music stands and the music. I brought my step daughters and their partners and cheered and took pictures. Phase II students like these show the perseverance and calm of veteran performers and we applaud them all.

-Liz Hollander, CMW Board

The green Tacqueria Pacifica truck parked behind Roger Williams Park’s Temple to Music providing free tacos for CMW families was probably the highlight of Friday’s end-of-the-year picnic. And the perfect summer evening was nice too…

Tucked away behind an auto parts store on North Main is this surprising performance space, the Carriage House, which Community MusicWorks chose for its reunion concert last weekend. Although we know to anticipate every musical event CMW organizes, this was both an accomplished musical experience and a heartstoppingly intimate ambience.

The two well-known pieces drew only a limited audience, but it was just right for the space given the large number of performers, mostly standing and all dressed casually, drawn from the ranks of past and present teachers in the CMW program. The group had come together to rehearse and feast and socialize all weekend, and by the time Sebastian finished introducing conductor and friend David Goodman, the room was brimming with waves of affection.

Goodman’s graceful and sensitive leadership brought out a truly lyrical dynamic, and the players responded with verve and obvious pleasure, seeming to be played even as they played their instruments. 

The homey touches, the genuine feeling, the blue jeans, the pause to find another second-violin score–all worked to create a magical blend of pure joy in the music and appreciation of the style of presentation.

Another memory to treasure from this extraordinary group!

-Nan Sumner Mack

Rehearsing all day at the Edgewood Manor.

Sailing with Phase II in Newport on Friday.


Safely back ashore, the Phase II ice cream party…


Celebratory dinner at St. Bart’s Social Club following Sunday’s concert.

The last student performance event of the 10th season was a big success! Here are a few photos:

Zeeny, Paul, and Andrew playing in one of the group pieces.


A surprise visit from Big Nazo with a special delivery addressed to "Mitty MusicWorks."


Longtime board member Rick Keller won the grand prize in the raffle: a PSQ performance in his home.


Alana and Heather performing a duo.

This evening, Tae graduates from College Visions, an intensive college access program for Providence youth that she joined last year. Congratulations Tae from everyone at CMW!

"My final decision is Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina!!!! They gave me a great financial aid package and they really want me there. I am going to major in Biology to prepare me for med school (Pediatrics baby!!)…..Also, when I went to go visit the school I spoke with the director of music. His name is Tim and he’s super nice. I told him more great things about Community MusicWorks and he said there is something similar around that area. There are symphony orchestras I can particiate in, and if I wanted to set up a quartet I could. Also private lessons are available that work around my school schedule (pretty cool!) …so yea, I’m very excited to start….my last day here in Providence will be August 14, because the 15th is orientation then I stay until school starts in September. But I’ll definitly be back and keep in touch with you guys and email to keep you updated…who knows…maybe the quartet and gang will come visit to see me play!"

-Tae Ortiz, Phase II (read an earlier post by Tae here)

From the darkness rises the rhythmic hum of the cicadas. A lone elephant trumpets, and some howler monkeys put up a cry as they swing home through the trees. A family of tree frogs joins the chorus, and a rattlesnake warns the other animals to stay away. In their unique rendition of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the students of Community MusicWorks have made the jungle come alive inside a darkened high school auditorium [see Dollars for Darfur on May 1], using only stringed instruments and their imaginations. With these two basic tools, Community MusicWorks carries out its mission of empowering youth and transforming its community.

-Adrienne Gagnon, Youth Salon attendee and Art + Design Education grad student at RISD

For their digital media class, Gwen, Erin and Heather of Roger Williams University have made a wonderful website that features video interviews with CMW students, parents, board members, and staff. Check it out here.