As we get going on our plans for 2019, I caught up with one of our awesome Abram Wilson Foundation donors whose support helps make it all happen. Wei Ching Poon shares why her university memories of Abram’s music inspired her to get involved.
Jennie: You’ve been an AWF supporter for three years now, can you tell us about why you got involved?
Wei Ching: In my first year of college (at Ohio Wesleyan University, USA), my college dorm roommate was a trumpet player. She used to rave about how good a trumpet player this guy named ‘Abram’ in the college band was. I played violin in the school orchestra and had no idea who she was talking about. Our college was small, just around 1,500 students, and as time went on, I saw Abram around college and heard him playing in some music performances. He was a star.
Fast forward a few years, I received an alumni magazine from my alma mater, and was shocked and dismayed to read an article about Abram’s passing. The article mentioned that Jennie was starting a Foundation in Abram’s memory to help other music students, and I knew immediately that this was a cause I wanted to contribute to. It just happened that I was visiting London for an upcoming holiday and Jennie agreed to meet me to talk about the Foundation. I’ve been happy to support the Foundation ever since.
Jennie: Abram was a big inspiration to so many people, what are your memories of him as a musician and educator?
Wei Ching: My strongest memory of Abram in college was his senior year music recital. For his finale piece, he played Rimsky Korsakov’s ‘Flight of the Bumble Bee’. My jaw fell to the floor and I could not understand why Abram didn’t need to breathe at all during the entire piece. He played from start to finish without pausing. I found out later that Abram had used a technique called circular breathing to play the piece. It was an amazing and beautiful performance.
Jennie: You’ve kindly taken a great interest in our work over the last couple of years, how do you think the Foundation has changed and grown in that time?
Wei Ching: From the start of the Foundation, you had a vision to give opportunities to children to experience music, to give support to young adult musicians in their careers, and to connect these two groups. It’s been wonderful to see the Foundation grow step by step, to see this vision come alive, and to see children being inspired by young adult musicians.
Jennie: We’re at the start of a new year, so what are your hopes for how the AWF family grows in the future?
Wei Ching: I hope that the AWF continues to encourage love for music, and to give inspiration to young musicians.
Jennie: What would you say to someone who’s potentially interested in supporting the AWF’s work?
Wei Ching: If music (and jazz in particular) inspires your soul, and if contributing to growing young musical talents is in line with your values and goals, drop a line to Jennie and find out more about the AWF.
Read more about the Abram Wilson Foundation and how you can support our work at abramwilson.com/abram-wilson-foundation-trailblazer