Karl, Natasha, and Matthew performing at a fundraiser for Classics for Kids Foundation.

 
CMW will be presenting at the Free Minds, Free People conference in Providence, July 7-10. This amazing bi-annual national convening brings together teachers, high school and college students, researchers, parents and community-based activists/educators from across the country to build a movement to develop and promote education as a tool for liberation.

FMFP seeks to "develop ways of teaching and learning both in and out of school that help us to build a more just society." The conference is a "space in which these groups can learn from and teach each other, sharing knowledge, experience and strategies."

Early bird registration rates through June 1. Learn more about the conference here.

Congratulations to Liz Cox, a member of this month's graduating class of the University of Rhode Island! Liz earned summa cum laude honors in psychology, picking up the President's Award (for having a perfect grade point average during her tenure at URI) along the way. Next stop: a graduate degree in social work at Rhode Island College.

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to support the arts and promote art education and community art programs throughout Rhode Island, the Congressional delegation announced on May 16 that five local arts organizations will receive $827,800 in federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
 
“At a time when budgetary pressures are causing cuts to many community arts programs, this federal funding will help support local non-profits and boost economic activity. Rhode Island’s creative industry enriches our cultural heritage and helps generate revenue for local communities and businesses,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who, as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the NEA, helped provide $154.7 million for the arts in the 2011 budget. “As we just saw with the recent budget battle in Congress, there are some who do not recognize the value of these programs. I was determined to beat back the draconian cuts being proposed and was happy that we were successful.”
 
“Our rich artistic tradition in Rhode Island not only contributes to our quality of life, but supports thousands of jobs.  This funding will help ensure our artistic community continues to thrive,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who brought NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman to Rhode Island in February for a tour of the local arts community. Whitehouse also serves as an ex-officio member of the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body to the NEA.
 
“The arts industry is an important economic driver in Rhode Island,” said U.S. Representative David Cicilline. “These critical funds from the National Endowment for the Arts will support the work of the Rhode Island State Council, Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, Community MusicWorks, FirstWorks and Everett Dance Theatre; five organizations that are helping to fuel our economic recovery, teach our children, and expand our civic discourse during these trying economic times. I know first-hand the benefits of arts in enriching our communities, and will continue to fight to protect the important progress we have made in the arts industry.”

[Source: Press release from the office of Senator Jack Reed.]

Free! Presented by Brown's Cogut Center for the Humanities. Details here.

Courtesy of The Steel Yard. Photos by Liz Cox.

This week, CMW prepares to host another Institute for Musicianship and Public Service. Musicians from around the country and Canada will be in Providence for five days exploring the ideas of musicianship, community engagement and service. Beginning on Wednesday, participants in this Institute include young musicians who are currently in, or have recently completed, degree programs in music and are envisioning careers that combine musicianship and service. Over the weekend, we will be joined by teaching artists and administrators of existing music programs from around the country who will share their ideas and programs. Among the organizations joining us include representatives from the Harmony Project (Los Angeles), the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall (New York City), Boston Children's Chorus (Boston), MusiConnects (Boston) and Music Haven (New Haven).

While our regular monthly Fellowship Program Seminar will not take place on Friday because of the Institute, you are welcome to come hear participants share their ideas and questions and to hear presentations by visiting organizations.

Friday, June 3, 1:30-3:45 pm
1:30-2:15 Discussion featuring IMPS participants
2:30-3:45 Presentations by Harmony Project, Boston Children's Chorus, Weill Institute, and MusiConnects
Knight Memorial Library
275 Elmwood Avenue

RSVP to me by email (mchoi@communitymusicworks.org) if you'd like to attend.

-Minna Choi, Fellowship Program Director

Over the past three months, violinist Jorge Gardos has been engaged with CMW on a special residency of teaching, advising, and performing. We first became acquainted with Jorge several years ago, after he had heard a recording of the PSQ on a local television station, and introduced himself at a concert. Since then, we’ve had a growing friendship, and this spring we invited him to join us for several events as a special Artist in Residence. 

During this time, Jorge has offered a seminar to our faculty on teaching ear training to young people, has visited our various ensembles to guest conduct and our studio classes to give masterclasses, and has led singing workshops to introduce our young people to solfege in the manner he taught by none other than the Hungarian composer and ethnomusicologist Zoltan Kodaly.

On June 12, Jorge will join the CMW Players for a concert on which he will be featured playing Bartok’s Roumanian Dances for solo violin with chamber orchestra accompaniment, as well as a performance of a Paganini Caprice for solo violin.

Check out this video in which Jorge is interviewed by Media Lab student August Packard about his life in music.

-Sebastian Ruth, Founder & Artistic Director

CMW is seeking a Family Engagement Coordinator to further parent participation, engagement, volunteerism, and communication with CMW's staff. This new position, funded by the AmeriCorps VISTA program, is being created in response to results from CMW's recent program evaluation which showed that students whose parents were more deeply engaged in CMW activities were themselves gaining more from their experience at CMW.

Examples of the Family Engagement Coordinator's responsibilities include assessing volunteer needs, recruiting and coordinating parent volunteers for these needs throughout the year; developing and supporting parent projects and ensuring clear and regular communication between staff and parents; developing and maintaining CMW community partnerships with local organizations, and relationships with CMW alumni families.

Please help us by forwarding news of this opportunity to someone who you think would be an excellent fit for this position at CMW. Applications are due June 1. Details can be found here.