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June 2: Experimental music concert

This year's experimental music concert will feature pieces written by CMW student Liam Hopkins, Media Lab guest teacher Sakiko Mori, and local composer Forrest Larson. The performers include CMW's Music Lab and Phase II students, IMPS participants, and members of the CMW Players.

Exp music class

Our experimental music class started last fall as a part of CMW's Media Lab. The class has been focused on exploring different ways to make and listen to sounds and compose both in traditional and non-traditional ways. Our goal is to find a way of making sounds and compositions that works for each of us individually and excites us. See posts about this class on the Media Lab  website.

The concert on June 2 at 7:00 pm (venue TBD very shortly–check back in a day or two) is the result of our work together this year, and it will include a couple of pieces that we made in the class, and also there will be two pieces that are composed by local composers, specifically for us to perform in this concert.

We are very excited for the IMPS musicians to be a part of this concert. Even with limited rehearsal time, it will be fun!

-Sakiko Mori, Media Lab guest artist

Carole returns to CMW!

All of us at CMW are thrilled to welcome back Carole Bestvater for a six-week residency from May 8 to June 11. Carole completed CMW's two-year Fellowship Program last June and subsequently enrolled in a Masters Program in Newfoundland.

I had an exciting and bustling year in St. John's, Newfoundland. I recently finished the first year my grad program at Memorial University and it was full of new faces, lots and lots of music, and a different flavour of colourful houses. So flavourful in fact, that the downtown area of St. John's has been nicknamed "Jellybean Row" for all the colourful houses that line the streets.

Jelly-bean-row

It's no wonder that the houses are so bright and happy looking, because the fog rolls in and envelopes St. John's an average of 200 days a year. Someone told me "Oh, Carole, you'll get sick of the fog reeeeeally fast" when I exclaimed my sheer awe at how mystical and beautiful it seemed. To my credit, as a person who loves sunshine, I haven't gotten tired of the foggy days yet. Indeed, I moved to a ruggedly beautiful place: with craggy coastlines that invite seasonal icebergs, and wind so strong that people walk at 45 degree angles to avoid getting blown over.

Fog

Ice bergs
As much as I like my new home, I am so SO happy to be back in Providence and at CMW for a prolonged visit! The moment I saw the skyline of Providence, my heart did an extra quick flutter of happiness. CMW has kept me busy so far: I've been teaching Minna's students while she is on maternity leave with darling Juna Maya, helping Chloe prepare for the Institute for Musicianship and Public Service, and rehearsing Verklarte Nacht with the CMW Players for the June 8-10 reunion weekend. 

It has been such a heart warming experience to be back at CMW. Every moment at CMW is a joyful one for me, regardless of what I'm doing. It evokes a sense of "home away from home"–and for me, it still remains one of the most wonderful places with the most wonderful people in it, and even though it's only for a short while, I am so happy to be part of the adventure again!

-Carole Bestvater, Fellow '09-'11

May 25: Senior Recital

Please join us at the D'Abate Elementary School in Olneyville on Friday evening to celebrate the following high school seniors who will be presenting their "swan song" performances after long careers as CMW students. Download the flier here. (Call Liz in the CMW office for driving directions so you can avoid Friday late afternoon traffic in Olneyville Square!)

Matthew Ricci, cello (11 years)
Paola Pena, violin (7 years)
Enma Cabrera, violin (5 years)
Natasha Rosario, cello (11 years)
Alexis Nelson, viola (6 years)

Residency by Amy and Chad

Bell1

Chad and I enjoyed our week-long residency at Community MusicWorks, and felt privileged to be asked to return for three wonderful concerts! It was great working with all the musicians who are not only wonderful performers, but also dedicated educators and great people.

Mozart – Piano Trio in Eb Major – Rondeaux (Chloe, Chad & Amy)

Stravinsky – Suite Italienne – Minuetto e finale (Sara & Amy)

Beethoven – Piano trio in Bb Major – Tema con variazioni (Chad, Heath & Amy)

Bell3

It was a special treat to visit with Varda again and rehearse chamber music in her living room. Thanks to CMW for providing us with a spacious apartment for the week.

Bell2

And a very special thank you to two CMW moms: Candelaria, who was a perfect companion for 4-year-old Alexander throughout the week, and Linda for watching Alexander during the Bell Street Chapel concert.

-Amy I-Lin Cheng

More photos by Jori in CMW's Flickr account.

 

Congrats Music Haven!

Music haven

Congratulations to our friends at Music Haven on two recent major accomplishments, including a $25,000 grant award from the National Endowment for the Arts and a second consecutive year as a finalist for the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, a program of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Stay tuned for another CMW Players/Haven String Quartet collaboration next season!

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