Dear Friends,
At this joyous time of the year, we give thanks to the Almighty for the inspiration and blessings we have received. We also thank the people who come into our life to create beautiful harmonies with our own, ever-changing melody of life. We look forward to many more shared experiences in the years to come. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas, and a New Year of happiness, peace, and hope.
Following our motto: "Music: the Best Bridge for All People" we wish to share with you some of the 2013 highlights:
With best wishes,
Charles, Cecylia, Elizabeth, Emmanuel, and Frances Borowsky
Back to Xmas 2013
At this joyous time of the year, we give thanks to the Almighty for the inspiration and blessings we have received. We also thank the people who come into our life to create beautiful harmonies with our own, ever-changing melody of life. We look forward to many more shared experiences in the years to come. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas, and a New Year of happiness, peace, and hope.
Following our motto: "Music: the Best Bridge for All People" we wish to share with you some of the 2013 highlights:
- Charles and Cecylia toured Mexico and Cuba, presenting concerts. Cecylia premiered a concerto by the contemporary Cuban composer Jorge Lopez Marin with the Santa Clara Symphony. Both gave a very successful outreach concert for the Jewish Community of Havana.
- Emmanuel began his Doctorate of Musical Arts studies at the University of Maryland College Park. In December he presented his first DMA recital. The program consisted of Beethoven’s Spring Sonata, Brahms’ Sonata No. 1, Paganini’s 24th Caprice, and Harbison’s Song of Solitude.
- In April, we performed a special concert at the Embassy of Poland in support of General Rowny's scholarship fund for artists in public service.
- Frances performed her graduate recital program at Peabody in May. It was stunning (just like the beautiful purple dress she wore!). The two major works on the program were Bach’s 4th Suite and the Haydn D major concerto. Earlier in the Spring she won first place at the Mary Graham Lasley Concerto Competition. In October she began a two year post-graduate program at the Folkwang Universitat der Kunste in Germany.
- Charles, Cecylia, Elizabeth, and Emmanuel toured Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia - performing over 20 concerts in 3 weeks. Charles engaged and challenged audiences with his opening remarks. Our. composition “In Memoriam” (dedicated to victims of Soviet and Nazi oppressions in the Baltic States) was premiered at the Kaunas Pažaislis Music Festival, under the auspices of the President of Lithuania. Cecylia’s sister, Urszula, joined us in Riga for a few days.
- In the meantime, Frances took care of the animals and garden at our Apple Haven farm.This year we harvested a lot of berries, grapes, and vegetables.
- The entire family worked together to organize and direct the 11th annual International Music Institute and Festival USA - a 15 day program for outstanding young musicians from around the world. In October we presented several them at the “Mid Atlantic Young Musicians Showcase” at Oak Crest Village.
- In August, Charles, Cecylia, Elizabeth, and Frances flew to Denver for a performance. This was a “historical event” on two counts: (1) Cecylia and Frances performed on an. electric cello, and (2) Cecylia was thrilled to reunite with her friend Karen, whom she hasn’t seen for over 35 years. . Following this we spent two weeks exploring the mountains and waters of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, including hiking, shopping, rafting, enjoying natural hot springs, and rock climbing. Frances and Elizabeth jumped off a 30 foot cliff into the Colorado River!
- We all worked together to put on the second annual Lobster Feast for the German Society of Pennsylvania’s Music Program. This year’s lavish lunch attracted 106 people. As we plated the four-course meal, designed by our Chef Charles, the kids joked (actually quite seriously) that they would never do this again. Alas, we’re already on the calendar for next year. September 7, if you want to join us.
- Elizabeth’s boyfriend, Robert LeBlanc proposed to her. We are so excited for them! Rob has already been like family to us but we look forward to making it official. (And, because we know everyone will ask: no, he’s not a musician but he has a wonderful singing voice and also plays guitar and trumpet. Rob is in his first of two years of fellowship training in pathology at Stanford University). And… Frances and Emmanuel each have wonderful “significant others” (both musicians) that we hope to introduce to you soon.
- Charles and Frances visited Turkey, Greece, Russia, and Italy, culminating in a concert in Rome.
- Elizabeth, Emmanuel, and Frances’ composition “These Three Remain: Faith, Hope and Love” (commissioned by the Madrona Viola Duo) was premiered in Portland, OR.
With best wishes,
Charles, Cecylia, Elizabeth, Emmanuel, and Frances Borowsky
Back to Xmas 2013
