CMS Student Wins Scholarship to
The Goethe Institute

“We don’t get to know people when they come to us; we must go to them to find out what they are like.”

                                            - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

                                              

Yanwen You, outside the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany.  The building  houses the German parliament, the Bundestag.  The glass dome symbolizes
the reunification of Germany.             

Yanwen You, a 17 year old musician at the Community Music School of Webster University, has been fascinated with something since his middle school years.  “I have always been amazed by German scientists and musicians,” explained You.  “I have been wondering how a country can have so many great scientists and musicians who have contributed so much to human civilization in the world.”  (It seems a legitimate question, given that Einstein, Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart are just a few of the luminaries born there.)  This curiosity made him choose German as a foreign language, and compelled him to study all the harder.  Not surprisingly, when You was offered a full scholarship from the German government to study at the Goethe Institute in Düsseldorf, Germany this past summer, he jumped at the chance.

With locations worldwide, The Goethe Institute is a non-profit German cultural institution that promotes the study of the German language abroad and encourages international cultural exchange and relations.  The Institute also fosters knowledge about Germany by providing information on German culture, society and politics.  You spent three exciting weeks exploring Germany, both on and off campus, and learning from the others attending – 51 high schoolers representing 11 different countries.  “I really like meeting people from other cultures,” he said.  “It was very cool to know that inspite of all of our differences, we’re really a lot alike.” 

You has studied the violin for 9 years, and was ready to walk the same streets that some of the  world’s greatest composers may have walked.  “I love Bach!” he exclaimed. “I was practicing some of his music in my room while I was there, and people came to listen.  I think they really liked my playing,” he said modestly.  You studies at the Community Music School with Manuel Ramos, a first violinist with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. “Mr. Ramos is a fabulous teacher,” said You.  “My parents thought that my playing needed to be more expressive, that I needed to use more dynamics.  Mr. Ramos motivated me and inspired me.  He taught me the difference between going through the motions, and playing with real passion.”

You’s musical resume is impressive.  During his time at CMS, he has been a member of the school’s Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra and Young People’s Concert Orchestra, and was recently awarded the 2009-2010 Ella A. Heimburger Scholarship.  He was selected for Missouri’s All-State Orchestra, and has played with (and is auditioning for another year with) the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.  He is also a member of Ladue Strolling Strings, performing in hotels, benefit auctions and retirement centers, more than 20 times a year. 

Now a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, You came with his parents to the United States from China when he was just seven.  His mother, Yuzhu, and father, Yingjian, are both research scientists at Washington University in St. Louis.  He credits them and his “excellent education” for his success.  “Growing up in a family full of love and encouragement gives me the opportunity to explore each subject in depth,” he said.  When You isn’t busy practicing the violin or studying, he enjoys spending time with his friends and playing video games, as well as staying in touch with his new friends the world over via their Facebook pages.   He can also be found filling out college applications to an impressive list of institutions --  MIT, Harvard, Cornell, and Washington University in St. Louis, to name a few.   While he does not currently plan to major in music in college or become a professional musician, he knows he will enjoy the benefits of musical study for the rest of his life.