Sebastian Ruth on Classical Music as Force for Social Justice
Submitted by Steve on August 8, 2011
Violinist and MacArthur Fellow Sebastian Ruth is profiled on the String Visions website. In 1997, Ruth founded Community MusicWorks, a non-profit based in the West End neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. For fourteen years, CMW and Sebastian Ruth have empowered the lives of urban youth and families through classical music.
CMW employs a unique model. Ruth and his fellow quartet members take up residence within the inner-city community they serve. In this way, they stand by their belief that music is a necessary aspect of building and nurturing any community. CMW provides all students with an instrument on long-term loan, close mentoring relationships with instructors, and exposure to a variety of music through workshops and field trips.