Last summer and with support from the Kilbourne Summer Enrichment Fund, I studied Bruch’s Violin Concerto with Chen Qiumei, a first violinist of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and a distinguished soloist in China and abroad.

      Bruch’s Concerto No. 1 in G minor is one of the most significant and iconic works in the violin repertoire; I have always wanted to play it. What mesmerizes me most about the piece is the depth and range of emotions and expressions; it is passionate, mysterious, romantic, and brilliant — all at once. That is also what makes it such a challenging piece to perform, which was my motivation in applying for the Kilbourne Grant.

      What was most eye-opening about learning from a musician of such a high caliber was seeing just how much effort it took to make something sound effortless. Ms. Chen taught me to practice intentionally and methodically, and I learned how to dissect difficult passages and implement my own musical thoughts and interpretation into them.

      This opportunity built on my earlier work with Jing Wang, Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Those masterclasses introduced me to new standards of interpretation and musical discipline, and inspired me to continue refining my artistry through focused study. After performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 last spring in Carnegie Hall, a piece I worked on with Wang Jing, I was inspired to learn and challenge myself even more over the summer.

      My summer studies deepened my understanding of the concerto’s technical and expressive demands while also strengthening my skills as a performer. The experience played an important role in preparing materials for my college music portfolio, while also equipping me with new insights to bring back to his role as co-concertmaster of Taft’s Chamber Ensemble.
My summer work will carry forward into the academic year, as I will perform the Bruch Concerto in the spring as part of the Kilbourne Grant showcase, sharing with the Taft community the fruits of my study. I am sure this performance will be one of the highlights of my musical career at Taft. I’m incredibly grateful that the Kilbourne Grant has given me the opportunity to dive deep into learning and growing as a musician this summer.
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Established by John Kilbourne, Class of 1958, in memory of his parents Samuel W. and Evelyn S. Kilbourne, the Kilbourne Summer Enrichment Fund provides students with opportunities in the summer to participate in enriching programs in the arts.