Who doesn’t want to try the tuba at least once? Or the oboe or the cello? Well here’s your chance.
The Concord Community Music School is hosting its annual Anniversary Weekend this Friday and Saturday. And making a return to Saturday’s portion of the event is the instrument “petting zoo.” Now at first we thought this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pet some animals who just happened to be playing music. That’s unfortunately not the case.
But on the bright side, it does give you the chance to try many of the instruments offered at the music school. Just in case one day you want to learn to play the piano or violin.
And that’s only a fraction of what’s going on at the music school this weekend. Members of the school’s staff take to the stage on Friday for the faculty recital and students take over Saturday morning for a performathon.
If you like music, this is the place to be. The anniversary weekend began in 1988 after the school found its permanent home at 23 Wall St. The first three years of the school included a new location every 12 months.
“It’s the anniversary of finding a permanent home,” said music school president Peggy Senter.
And it all begins with Friday’s faculty recital. It’s being called, “A Bach Birthday Bash,” in honor of what would be the great composer’s 329th birthday, which would put his birthday in 1685. Now that’s a long time ago.
Singers Andrea Veal, soprano, and Emily Jaworski, mezzo soprano, will be joined by Stefani Burk, oboe, Matthew Laughlin, cello, Abigail Charbeneau, piano, Tom Robinson, jazz piano, Scott Kiefner, bass, and Tim Gilmore, drums.
“We’re showing off our faculty,” said Senter. “We feel we have a very special faculty.”
According to the music school’s press release, the program includes vocal arias and selections from the unaccompanied E Flat Major Cello Suite; all of these skilled Bach performers will improvise ornamentation throughout these selections. The jazz trio will improvise on well-known Bach melodies; rounding out the evening are vocal renditions of Bach violin duets, as well as a vocal duet from the Swingle Singers, accompanied by the jazz trio. Sounds like a lot of information to take in. Maybe you should just go and see for yourself.
“It’s a real blend of jazz and classical,” said Senter.
Tickets are $20 for adult; $15 for seniors and students. Call the Music School at 228-1196 for more information and to reserve tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at ccmusicschool.org.
As for Saturday, the music school will open its doors to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Community Room and Recital Hall will be home to the Performathon, an annual fundraiser for the school’s Financial Aid Fund. It’s a five-hour, non-stop session of solo and ensemble performances from many of the school’s 1,400 students, ages 5 to 90. Last year, proceeds from the event accounted for 15 percent of the funding needed, which equates to about $200,000 a year.
“For the last 10 years, it’s raised between $10,000 to 15,000,” said Senter.
Students have been receiving pledges for weeks, but there’s still a chance to pitch in. There will be green bowls at each recital for any extras money that’s burning a hole in your pocket.
“We do a good pitch at each recital for the green bowls,” said Senter.
There will also be tours, refreshments and family activities. And don’t forget about that petting zoo – after you get over the initial disappointment of course.
“They can try anything,”said Senter. “You can even see a 4-year-old trying to blow through a tuba.”
Story Corps also returns for another year. All who wish to share a story about their musical experiences are invited to visit the school’s recording studio and record their story with recording engineer David Tonkin.
It’s going to be a musical extravaganza and one you don’t want to miss.
