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Peter Sulski hopes to help keep the music playing in West Bank, Gaza
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Richard Duckett
Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
There’s tremendous discord, and then there’s tremendous music ...
Tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip and West Bank erupted into violence again last month before a cease-fire went into effect. While the main conflict was between Hamas in Gaza firing rockets into Israel and Israel responding with air strikes, there were violent protests in the West Bank, where several Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire. There were also clashes in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, turbulent political processes in Israel include a struggle to put together a government.
The area remains a troubled, discordant place, but musician Peter Sulski of Worcester is planning a couple of visits to the West Bank in July and August to check on friends, meet with music teachers and students, and make some music together.
“Its tough time for musicians. A tough time for my young musician colleagues who are starting out,” he said.
By the same token, “It’s an incredible place. I’m very committed to being there. I’ve been really fortunate to be around lots of incredible people.”
Sulski, a classical violist and
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Sulski
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violinist, music teacher, professor and founding member of the Worcester Chamber Music Society, knows the area well, dating back to the late 1990s.
Besides performing with orchestras from around the world, Sulski is a former United States Cultural Envoy to Jerusalem for his work bringing music to young Palestinians living in refugee camps. He was Head of Strings of the Edward Said Palestinian National Conservatory, which has branches in Ramallah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nablus and Gaza City, before returning to his native Worcester. His numerous affiliations here besides WCMS and many concerts have included positions at the College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, Assumption College and Worcester State University.
He has stayed very much engaged with the West Bank and Gaza including also being involved with the Barenboem-Said Foundation, which organizes The East West Divan Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Barenboem.
However, Sulski’s primary work abroad in recent years has been helping create and musically support the Al Kamandjati Music Schools in Ramallah and Jenin, both on the West Bank, founded by his first Palestinian student, the acclaimed violinist Ramzi Abu Redwan.
“Al Kamandjati” is Arabic for “The Violinist”
“During the last 18 years we have managed to teach and support over a thousand young musicians,” Sulski said.
There are about 3 million Palestinians living on the West Bank, many still in refugee camps.
The story of Al Kamandjati has been told in the book “Children of the Stone” by Sandy Tolan and in various documentaries.
After a long travel limitation as a COVID precaution, on July 1 individual tourists are expected to be able to enter Israel subject to several criteria. Israel administers a large portion of the West Bank, while other areas are under the internal control of the Palestinian National Authority. Hamas is in charge of The Gaza Strip, but Israel has many controls, including gas and electricity going in and the movement of people.
In July and August Sulski will be going to the West Bank, mainly Ramallah. For July, “I’m just going over there to see my friends and see if they’re OK,” he said.
In August, Sulski plans to be back to run “a very intense string workshop” at the Al Kamandjati Music School in Ramallah. “The music school is so beautiful. It’s just to give them a boost.”
The school got its start by putting on music workshops for children in Palestinian refugee camps on the West Bank.
The workshops are something akin to the Neighborhood Strings program run by the Worcester Chamber Music Society, Sulski said.
The award-winning program in Worcester provides free music lessons and the opportunity to perform several concerts a year to youth from downtown and Main South while fostering family involvement.
Eventually, Al Kamandjati became a full-time music school with 200 to 300 students a year in Ramallah and also in Jedin, Sulski said.
Students are ages 7 and up to young adults going into their 20s. Many go on to be students (whether studying music or other subjects) at Birzeit University in Birzeit and An-Najah National University in Nabulus, both on the West Bank.
“Palestinians see music as a valuable part of a children’s education,” Sulski said.
The conservatories are also very important for Arabic music as well, Sulski noted, including the voice. Western classical music gives some students “a passage into Europe and opens up the world.”
When Sulski went to the West Bank with the New Hampshire-based Apple Chamber Players in the 1990s, very few music groups ever went there, he said.
In 2014 just before Christmas, Sulski helped arrange for some members of the Worcester Chorus to perform portions of Handel’s “Messiah” at Ramallah and Beit Jala near Bethlehem on the West Bank, and in the centuries-old Church of Saint Anne in Jerusalem.
“It’s a life-altering experience, it really is,” said chorus member Rick Rudman of Princeton at the time.
About 20 chorus members and guests conducted by Worcester Chorus artistic director Christopher Shepard sang as part of the ninth Baroque Festival put on by the Al Kamandjâti Association. Sulski invited the chorus as artistic director of the Baroque Festival.
At each venue, “the audience was incredibly appreciative,” then chorus president Katherine Rooney had said after returning. In St. Anne’s, “the audience was on their feet applauding.” In Ramallah, “They just love the music,” Ms. Rooney added, “I think we sang pretty well, too.”
Sulski has performed in classical concerts at the Latin Patriarch Church in Gaza.
“It’s my favorite place to play. The church gets so full it’s more like a rock concert than anything,” he said.
The Gaza Strip is more difficult to access than the West Bank, something likely amplified by last month’s troubles.
“Because the situation there is so politically tense, I don’t have the freedom to be there as I do in Ramallah,” Sulski said.
Last month’s troubles have a long perspective, Sulski said. “It’s nothing really different. It’s nothing new for them. If I think about my work there, I’m not a policy maker.”
Sulski’s most recent trip to the West Bank was in February 2020, “Just when they were about to tighten up,” he said.
In a recent message to friends and supporters of his work, he said, “I feel it is important now more than ever, with resources so scarce on the ground because of current events, to be there when possible and to continue the students’ musical development. I am also working with the French Cultural Institute in Gaza to continue my teaching project there as well. Being in Gaza is a powerful experience for many reasons and I know I’m fortunate to have been there several times, starting way back in 2004.
“I’m simply hoping to create a travel fund, with the account open for anyone to peruse. My contribution is my time and teaching and performing, as it has mostly been all these years. When my work is supported by Al Kamandjati, which is possible on occasion, and the Barenboem Foundation, the fund won’t be used.”
Regarding personal safety on the West Bank and Gaza, Sulski said, “I’ve never feared for my life. Yes, there are security protocols. I’ve never experienced anything but appreciation and love for being there.”
Peter Sulski is a classical violist and music teacher, RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
A RUNNER SHARES HER THOUGHTS
Some questions you can’t outrun
Amanda G. Brandt
Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
There are 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, and I have decided to run them all. At least one mile in each. Fourteen counties spread over more than 10,000 square miles. Three islands. Known and unknown towns. Some I could navigate by memory and others I’ve never heard of. All full of people I’ve never met and places I’ve never seen.
I plan my routes ahead of time. It’s most efficient that way. I want to know where I’m going and where my roads will lead and when there will be sidewalks and how far I’ll end up running. I map them online and write down the directions on scrap paper. I need to be prepared in case my phone loses charge or signal and can’t access the map. What is that building on the street view? Is it abandoned? How old are these photos? Where can I park? In this town should I run residential or commercial? Main street, backroad, bike trail, or woods?
Friday, June 28, 2019: A 23year-old woman went for an afternoon run alone on the popular Charles River Esplanade in Boston. A man assaulted her, stabbing her in the head with scissors and tackling her to the ground before running away. It’s a busy pathway, and bystanders helped her get help.
I have never run in Boston.
I have heard, Don’t wear your hair in a ponytail or a braid because an attacker could use it to grab you. Don’t wear headphones because it will seem like you’re not paying attention to your surroundings. Don’t use public restrooms. Don’t talk to strangers, especially not to ask for directions.
"I have heard, 'Bring a weapon. One you’re comfortable wearing. Switchblade, claw, ring, stun gun, pepper spray, whatever works
for you.'" PHOTO COURTESY AMANDA BRANDT
I dig around in a drawer of black Lycra, the legs wrapping around each other like shiny, flat tentacles. I am looking for comfort and ease of movement. How hot is it? Tights? Capris? Shorts? I move to another drawer, pit-stained T-shirts folded Kondo-style in tidy rows. How hot will I get once I’ve started? A long-sleeve and a short-sleeve? Two long-sleeve? How visible do I need to be? How windy is it? I extract a roll of thick ankle socks, a pair of full-coverage underwear, and a sports bra. Would I be too hot in taller socks? Are these the newer underwear, or the older ones that chafe? Squeezed and layered and Lycra-ed, I sit on the couch to put on my shoes. Do I even want to go for a run? Why is it so much work? Why am I already losing motivation even though I haven’t even left the house? Is it too late to change my mind? Can I keep myself from changing my mind? I tug the rim of my left sock to smooth the fabric, slip my foot into the left running shoe, and tug again before I double-knot the laces. Then to the other side.
Thursday, July 14, 2016: A woman was running along a Morton Park trail in Plymouth. A park employee grabbed her, and when she tried to break free, he attacked her with a pair of pruning shears. A male runner intervened.
I have never run in Plymouth.
I have heard, Don’t run in busy areas. Don’t run in secluded areas. Don’t stop en route. Don’t look tired. Always be ready for a fight. Always.
I collect my gear. Should I bring my running fanny pack? How much can my shorts pockets hold? If I put my stuff in my pockets instead of the fanny pack, will it bounce too much while I run and make my shorts sag? I toss my fanny pack, pepper spray, light-up reflective vest, neon hat, neck gaiter, wallet, keys, and an extra mask into a duffel bag. What am I forgetting? I probably don’t need the light-up vest, but what if I’m lost or injured and it gets dark and I need someone to find me? Is it better to be findable by rescuers or invisible to bad guys? I fill my water bottle and add it to the bag. Is one bottle to run with enough? Will I be unnecessarily weighed down if I bring two, or is it better to be overstocked? I pull everything together.
Friday, May 30, 2014: A teenage girl was running with friends on the Minuteman bike path in Arlington, but fell behind. A teenage boy approached and sexually assaulted her. She kicked him in the knees and ran away.
I have never run in Arlington.
I have heard, Don’t run in the morning. Don’t run at night. Don’t cut your nails too short. You want to be able to scratch your attacker and pick up DNA samples.
I double-check my bag for everything and add my handwritten running directions, my phone, a Swiss Army knife, and a few packets of energy chews. What’s the worst that could happen? What might I need? What if my car breaks down? What if I get hypothermia or hyponatremia? I add a sweatshirt and a towel and my sunglasses and my Xanax. Is that everything? I look around, take a deep breath, grab my bag, say goodbye to my husband and teenage son, and walk out the front door. My husband says, “Have fun! Be careful!” My son says, “Don’t get 'Datelined!'”
Sunday, June 17, 2018: A 37year-old woman was on a morning run down a busy road in Bridgewater. At about 7:30 a.m., a man pulled over near her, ran over to her, grabbed her, and tried to drag her to his vehicle. She fought him off, kicking him and screaming for help. A neighbor yelled to him, and he ran back to his car.
I have never run in Bridgewater.
I have heard, Tell a friend your planned running route and ask them to track you during your run. Take a photo of yourself before every run and send it to a friend so the police know what you were wearing. Take photos en route and send them to friends. Text friends about anything suspicious or unsettling you encounter along the way.
At my car, I hover my right hand around the door handle and the car door unlocks, like
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Abbie Cotto set for first full-leng th local show
Veer Mudambi
Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
Hip-hop and R&B artist Abbie Cotto has been making music for about eight years now — performing in New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut, building a loyal following. But June 19 will be his first ever fulllength performance in Worcester, his home city.
“I’ve never touched home base,” said Cotto. “Not sure why.” However, with the return of in-person gatherings and events, Cotto says it’s the perfect time. “It’s a way to get back to reality,” he said, after what feels like a year on pause for many people. Plans have been in the works since the beginning of May, he said, when word first began spreading that the COVID-19 restrictions were due to be lifted.
Currently, the show — sponsored by Jamn 94.5 — is scheduled for 9 p.m. June 19 at the Bridge, 300 Southbridge St., Worcester. Cotto will have a 30minute set at 11:30 as the main act, featuring DJ Kid Kash. DJ 4eign will bookend the main act.
Cotto said he first started seriously making music as a career at 22 with hip-hop. He expanded to R&B with the help of a mentor who encouraged him to start singing. “He saw something in me,” said Cotto, who then started vocal training. “I like to keep an open mind and try different genres and challenge myself,” he said. Though he still raps, he fell in love with R&B. “A lot of people forget that you need to have an ear for [R&B],” said Cotto, “to pick up on the melody and rhythm. So I started training my ears as well.” Cotto’s work has been praised for the crossover between melody and rhythm — something that could certainly only be achieved with trained ears.
His music brought him to the attention of lifelong Worcester resident Manny Alvarado. Once Alvarado started at Unity Radio, he invited Cotto for an interview on “508 Live” last year. “I wanted to bring attention to his talent and star quality,” said Alvarado. Cotto’s songs focus on self reflection, he said, learning to love yourself and put yourself first. It’s about not taking the naysayers to heart. Alvarado’s favorite song is “Rose in a Wildfire,” which he personally connects with. “It has a Ja Rule and Ashanti type vibe,” he said, describing what some have referred to as a versatility to Cotto’s style.
It was not just Cotto’s music that appeals to Alvarado, but also their shared vision for their community. “We’re both tired of seeing our young people killing each other and going to jail,” said Alvarado. He went on to say that despite his rising star status, Cotto has not lost touch with his base and can be found at almost every major community event. “If he’s not performing, he’s supporting,” said Alvarado, citing his presence at the BLM mural rally, the George Floyd Rally and his performance at the Save the Bridge initiative. Cotto will also be at a back-to-school block party for the Bridge.
Cotto is also a fashion designer, and has launched his own clothing line, beART. “The idea behind the clothing line is doing what you love as art ... I’m trying to grow and have fun at the same time,” he said.
Describing the line, Alvarado harkens back to a time when “all we had were the clothes on our back and the feelings in our gut.” The way people in showbiz dressed became an important part of maintaining that authentic image of “the everyday urban person.” In projecting that image, Cotto’s clothing brand follows themes similar to his music, a celebration of following your passion.
But Alvarado says Cotto still maintains a personal touch: “He hand delivers his merch, man.”
Abbie Cotto will have his first full-length Worcester show this
weekend. IMAGES PROVIDED BY ABBIE COTTO
beART is the brand name for Cotto's merchandise, celebrating doing what one loves as art.
Running
Continued from Page 17
magic. I toss my duffel bag over to the passenger seat and ease myself into the driver’s seat feet first, feeling the heat of the leather seat in a New England summer on the back of my legs. I press the button to start the car, plug in my phone, and set my GPS to the location of my first run of the day. Are my tires okay? The air pressure looks low. What if I need more air? Can I make it out to the world and back before I have to do anything about it? Am I more likely to get a flat, or just to lose fuel efficiency? It’s an overinflated tire that is at risk for popping, right? Is that a risk for underinflated tires too? Or maybe that’s a risk only if your tires are so low that you mess up the rims? I back out of the driveway and head toward the highway. Thursday, April 23, 2020: An 18-year-old woman was on a late-afternoon run down a main road near Wales. A man in a white van started stalking her and yelling vulgar comments at her. He then pulled over to trap her against the guard rail. She ran into a nearby yard and hid there until he left.
I have never run in Wales.
I have heard, Bring a weapon. One you’re comfortable wearing. Switchblade, claw, ring, stun gun, pepper spray, whatever works for you.
I go through the mental checklist on my drive. How long will it take to get there? Did I inadvertently pick a dangerous area for my run? Will it be okay to leave my car there? Will the area look safe but not actually be safe? Or is it usually safe but today has a creeper lurking? Where’s my watch? Do I have a backup tracking source on my phone? Is the account still active? What’s my password? What will the route be like? How wary will I have to be of my surroundings? Will the roads connect the way I think they do? I arrive at a park in a quaint mill town and gather from my duffel bag what I will need for this run: vest, pepper spray, hat, water, phone. I don’t want to be too weighed down. My run is on the road, not the trail, and I should have plenty of time before the sun sets. What should go in which pocket? I shouldn’t put a food or drink product in the same pocket as my pepper spray, right? ‘Cause the spray might leak? It’s not really pepper, right? It’s chemicals? With some capsaicin or
