Postcard from Capetown received recently from CMW alumna Sidney Argueta (Brown, class of '13) who is pursuing a concentration in public health. She writes, "From India to Argentina to South Africa, I've learned how much power a civil society can have and how much change they can bring to a nation, given that they have a united, unanimous and clear vision."

Recently we were thrilled to learn that Sebastian will receive an honorary degree from his alma mater, Brown University, during Commencement ceremonies next weekend. We invite you to attend a special presentation he will give in conjunction with this award on Saturday, May 26, at 1:00 pm, in the Granoff Center for the Performing Arts on Angell Street.

The title of the presentation is Education, Music, and Possibility: Community MusicWorks at 15. Join Sebastian, Sidney Argueta (CMW '09, Brown '13), and Natasha Rosario (CMW '12, Brown '16) for a panel discussion about where CMW has been over the past 15 seasons and where it is headed in the next 15 years. Here are details.

The honorary degree will be conferred by President Ruth Simmons on Sunday, May 27, at approximately 12:45 p.m., on the College Green. Details about the eight honorary degree recipients are posted here.

Congratulations Sebastian!

-Heath Marlow, Managing Director

Several of our friends who were treated to Jonathan's incredible piano recital at The RISD Museum on Sunday evening inquired about where to find his CD, the first in the series of nine discs that will be created as he traverses all 32 Beethoven Sonatas. Here is the page on his website where you can link to various online retailers.

-Heath Marlow, Managing Director

More photos by Jori in CMW's Flickr account.

With funding from the Prince Charitable Trusts, CMW has undertaken a fascinating research project this spring: exploring the feasibility of creating additional music education opportunities for youth in Newport, RI. What could an after-school music program look like like in Newport, given that city's unique demographics, geography, resources, and interest groups?

Led by Ariana, Ealain, Emmy, and Robin, a large group convened at CMW on Friday, May 11 to learn about their research to date and to discuss four potential music education models, each presented by a Fellow.

Next up, the conversation moves to Newport where the Fellows will present their findings and ideas for feedback on Wednesday evening, May 30. If you are interested in attending, or know someone in Newport who would be interested to attend, please see this flier.

In mid-June, the Fellows will summarize and document this exploration in a document that will be mailed off to the Prince Charitable Trusts.

-Heath Marlow, Managing Director

Thank you to all the CMW parents who volunteered their time and energy to help out at our after-school programming this season!

Piedad, Maribel, Nicole, Maribel, Marisol, Francia, Rosa, Siobhan, Ethan, Dolores, Jacques, Candelaria, Jean, Rokhaya, Santa, Ruben, Alejandro, Isabel, Sarah, Sandra, Dawn, Shannah, Lynell, Adelina, Anja, Ambrosia, Vivian, Sha-Von, Vithianny, Ariana, Erika, Lori, Berkis, Diane, Odris, Norys, Ligna, Carol, Julie, Ed, and Von.

It's time to order your stylish, do-good, feel-good CMW hoodie!

What a perfect way to show your support for Community MusicWorks. Here are two important reasons why: 1) all proceeds support CMW youth programs, and 2) wearing the CMW hoodie will help spark your neighbor's interest in your favorite transformative organization.

For a $25 donation ($11 is tax deductible), you will receive a cozy cotton/poly light gray hoodie emblazoned with "music works" on the front and the CMW logo on the back. Available sizes range from youth small to adult extra-extra large. You can choose between a pullover and a zip-up style.

Order online now, indicating the size and style you would like in the box marked "designation." Checks may be mailed directly to Community MusicWorks. Please include a note indicating that payment is intended for a hoodie).

You can pick up your hoodie at the CMW office, or add $3 per hoodie to cover CMW's mailing costs.

-Linda Daniels, CMW parent and board member

Read about the visit, and see additional photos, on the Media Lab website.
Special thanks to Zachary S. Martin for the hospitality.

Today we went on a field trip to Zachary S. Martin, Luthier Restorations in Pawtucket.This is a workshop specializing in repair & restoration of contrabass and cello, by Zachary. (He is also known  as Gus, so we’ll call him Gus!) Gus showed us the workshop and gave us a basic but thorough explanation of how string instruments are made and repaired. He showed us all the different stages of the whole process.

Then Gus let us do recordings in the shop while he worked on instruments. There are so many interesting sounds happening! He also introduced us to his friendly dog and let us all play his contrabass. The recordings we made will be used in our piece for the final performance on 6/2. Thank you very much Gus, for such an inspirational tour.

Here are some photos of our trip by Brandon L, and more photos on CMW’s Flickr in the slideshow below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pianist and CMW adviser Jonathan Biss will return to Providence next month to present the second of nine annual all-Beethoven recitals that he is very generously donating to CMW. Over nine years, he will eventually record all 32 Beethoven sonatas for Onyx Records; the first disc, containing music performed in Providence last May, has already been released. Jonathan has been writing about his experience with this ambitious recording project, and you can find his thoughtful essays on his website.

We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Jonathan, dating back to his first visit to Providence in November 2004 when he performed the Brahms Piano Quintet with the Providence String Quartet at the West End Recreation Center Gym and also at The RISD Museum. Fortuitously, music critic Alex Ross was in the audience for the gym concert and wrote about his experience as part of his essay on the state of American music education in The New Yorker in September 2006.

Jonathan rehearsing with the PSQ in 2004. Photo by Arthur Zachai.

If you would like to join us for Jonathan's performance on Sunday, May 20 at The RISD Museum, please visit CMW's website calendar for more event information.

-Heath Marlow, Managing Director

Minna and I would like to announce the arrival of our baby daughter, Juna Maya Ruth, born on Wednesday evening April 18, a bit earlier than expected but healthy all the same. Minna and baby are doing well, and Juna Maya is hanging out with the good folks in the hospital until she's become accustomed to the world a bit more.

-Sebastian Ruth, Founder & Artistic Director