4th SEASON - 2008
St. Mark's Episcopal Church44 Second Street, Newport, VT.
All concerts will begin at 4 pm at the church.
There is a suggested donation of 10.00.
A reception with light refreshments follows each concert.
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March 30th - Cody Michaels - PianoFor piano soloist and composer Cody Michaels, "the piano is a way to connect with the mystery of creation and every song is a prayer". Also a storyteller and poet, his inspiring performances have captured numerous audiences in the United States and Europe.
Cody's unique, passionate musical expressions have been compared to the likes of Beethoven, Keith Jarrett, and George Winston. Listeners praise his viruosity and lyrical, melodic sense, as well as the spiritual, transcendental qualities and gentle beauty of his work. A former park ranger, Appalachian Trail caretaker, and farm hand, many have also noted the remarkable degree to which he evokes the wonders of nature. To quote Steven Rochlin, Editor of EnjoyTheMusic.com, he is "one of the finest in his class... a must for all solo piano lovers".
This will be Cody's second appearance for "Music For A Sunday Afternoon". For more information about his music, please visit: CodyMichaels.com
April 20th - Michele Choiniere
It's no mystery that Vermont is steeped in French culture. From the pioneering explorations of Samuel de Champlain to the enriching influence of Quebecois immigrants, the Franco framework is solid. Even the state's name comes from the French: vert (green) and monts (mountains).
Yet this once-prominent mark of distinction has faded. A cultural homogeneity has eclipsed the once-proud folk tradition. Some might call this progress. Others, such as St. Albans-based singer-songwriter Michele Choiniere, are making a stand for the preservation of their heritage.
Choiniere's finely detailed, emotionally rich music is a testament to Franco-American creativity. It's also a channel through which tradition meets modernity: Her work combines the rugged vitality of Quebecois folk music with the wistful poetry of cabaret and cafe culture.
In addition to writing and performing, Choiniere teaches French at the Williston Central School. Her classes often include workshops in Quebec music and culture.
Followed by benefit Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner. Tickets $10. Rerservations required by calling 802-334-7365.
May 18th - Constitution Brass QuintetThe Constitution Brass Quintet was founded in 1983. Juried Artist in the Vermont Arts Council Arts Directory, the ensemble has appeared extensively throughout New England and has been a featured group at First Night Burlington since 1991. In July 1995, the group was honored to be selected to perform at the National Governors' Conference. The quintet's extensive repertoire spans over four centuries of music composition, from the 16th Century to the present, literally "Renaissance to ragtime and beyond." Audiences are presented a wide range of musical periods and styles. Added program features include historical and musical commentary, humorous anecdotes, and members of the quintet performing in the midst of the audience.
"The Constitution Brass Quintet are fine musicians who also understand the value of entertaining their audiences. Their concerts are well-crafted, well-played and, quite simply, a lot of fun!"
....Gwyneth Walker, Vermont composer
June 15th - Philomel Voice and Piano DuoSoprano Holly Outwin-Tepe and pianist Catharine Dornin are two of New England's leading musicians. They perform music ranging from the Baroque era to the present, such as works by Mozart, Brahms, Barber, Gershwin and Gwyneth Walker.
Ms. Outwin-Tepe's beautiful, clear soprano voice and Ms. Dornin's brilliant pianistic style have consistently delighted audiences from Carnegie Hall to the Palace Theatre in Manchester. "(They have) a richness and clarity not found in many ensembles in the U.S..." - NH Public Radio (WEVO) Ms. Outwin-Tepe performs with Raylynmor Opera and the Concord Chorale and Ms. Dornin was pianist for PBS' tribute to the MacDowell Colony and for the Concord Community Chorus' annual Handel's "Messiah" 2002-2005. She was also honored in 2005 for being on the Concord Community Music School's faculty for 20 years.
July 13th - Maple Leaf Seven Christmas in July Dinner Fundraiser
After a rousing performance for our 3rd Season, The Maple Leaf Seven return for our Annual Christmas in July Celebration with selected Christmas selections.
Maple Leaf Seven was founded in 1977 by amateur musicians in St. Johnsbury under the leadership of the local high school band director. In the succeeding 25 years the band has played numerous concerts, birthday parties and anniversary celebrations. The seven member band performs in the "dixieland" style on clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, tuba/bass and drums. During the summer months Maple Leaf is a regular feature at many northern Vermont and New Hampshire town fairs and bandstands, including Danville, Irasburg, Lancaster, Moultonboro and Bethlehem. Winter engagements include annual appearances at First Night - St. Johnsbury and Mardi Gras at Good Shepherd School in addition to concerts and private parties. Over the years the band's repertoire has grown to include a broad selection of dixieland favorites from the Original Dixieland Band, Louis Armstrong and others.
Followed at 6 pm by a traditional Christmas Ham Dinner with all the trimmings and decorated for the season.Dinner is by Reservation only and is a fund raiser for the series.. Tickets are 10.00 for adults and 5.00 for children under 12.
Be part of this very special day and help us raise funds to continue our concert series!
August 10th- The Gordon Stone Band For over 30 years, on banjo and pedal steel guitar, Gordon Stone has been writing his genre-crossing music, recording 5 studio albums of his own original material. Gordon was named "Best Instrumentalist" two years in a row and won an Emmy for Jay Craven's VPT series, "Windy Acres" soundtrack in 2005. He has recorded and performed with some of the country's most influential musicians in the bluegrass and jam world - Tony Trischka, Vassar Clemmens, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Phish, Mike Gordon, moe., Strangefolk, Max Creek, to name only a few!
The music will lift you up.
September 14th - Local Composer Dr. Sara Doncaster Dr. Sara Doncaster is the director of the Warebrook Contemporary Music Festival in Irasburg, Vermont. She is a recipient of a Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a Citation of Merit from the Vermont Arts Council for Distinguished Service to the Arts. A graduate of Brandeis University, Sara earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in Theory & Composition. She earned a dual Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University in Theory & Composition and Piano Performance.
Sara’s music has been commissioned and performed by the Hungarian Chamber Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Dinosaur Annex Music Ensemble, the Lydian String Quartet, Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble, Susan Davenny Wyner (conductor), David Hoose (conductor), Jon Garrison (tenor), the Master Singers, the Auros Group for New Music, Village Harmony, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (Burlington, VT), Social Band, Village Harmony, and the Composers Conference at Wellesley College, among others. Her music has been broadcast over Vermont and Wisconsin Public Radio.
In addition to giving private lessons in piano and composition, Sara is a composer mentor for the Vermont MIDI Project and was 2007 Composer-in-Residence for the Green Mountain Suzuki Institute in Rochester, Vermont. The piece's to be performed are her Song Cycle on Yeats' Poems ("Incarnations") and a rescored "Song of Nature" for single strings, originally premiered in Hungary.
Dr. Doncaster has been a lifelong member of St. Mark's.
19th - Music for a Sunday AfternoonDance Ann Witing with Wagtail
TOGETHER THEY ARE AN INCREDIBLY DYNAMIC FORCE OF MUSIC AND DANCE!
With all their years of experience performing for audiences all over the country they just can't help but get you up and dancing and singing along. There will be fiddle tunes, dance, stories and songs from New England, Canada, and the British Isles. They are a folk festival unto themselves! The key word for these amazing performers is fun! And that's just what you will have when you see them.
ANN WHITING (CLOGGER) is a bright and energetic dancer with a love of dance and an infectious enthusiasm that attracts people of all ages.She has been clogging and stepdancing since 1979. Ann studied with World Class Stepdancers, Lisa Beaudoin (French Canadian),Judy Waymouth (Ottawa Valley) & Mary Janet MacDonald (Cape Breton). Ann is endlessly creative as a choreographer, teacher, and stylist, but it is as a soloist that she really shines; that is where her love of stepdance is so strikingly apparent. Her creations are so engaging and so much fun to watch that you might just forget to notice that they are also intricate and sophisticated works of performance art.
Following the concert, join us for our 3nd Annual traditional home-cookedNew England Boiled Dinner fund raiser for the series.
Fruit Cup
Corned Beef, beets, potatoes, carrots, oinions, cabbage
Pumpkim Pie
Tickets: 10.00 adult - 5.00 Students under 12
Reservations requested by calling th church at 802-334-7365. Take-out available by reservation.
