Good Morning Gloucester

It’s been a real yo-yo of temperatures, but the animals adapt and it’s beautiful.

The historic Annisquam Village Church, with its unparalleled acoustics, extraordinary instruments, and singular New England simplicity, has long hosted unique concerts. Ranging  from Jacqueline Schwab (pianist for Ken Burns’ documentaries), to jazz great Dave McKenna, to Portuguese “Fado” chanteuse Ana Vinagre, to opera stars from Yakut (on tour for the United Nations), to the “Yokohama Lucy’s” organists, to BSO cellist Jonathan Miller, to the roof-raising New Temple Singers Gospel Choir,  performers and audiences alike have found the AVC ideal for lively, intimate musical experiences.

The church now adds a new dimension to its offerings with its first Artist-in-Residence, violinist Scott Moore. Hailing from his native Kentucky, Moore had already forged a reputation when he moved to Gloucester in 2019. Louisville Orchestra conductor Teddy Abrams praises Moore’s “great talent and inventiveness,” noting his virtuosic musicianship and his “powerful, compelling sound.” Meanwhile, Moore has kept his roots alive with rock, jazz, bluegrass, and his own fusion of these genres in his compositions. A longtime member of the 23 String Band, he has performed across the country as a crowd favorite at festivals like Rockygrass, Grey Fox, Forecastle, ROMP, Festival of the Bluegrass.  Moore’s studio incorporates both recording and composing /arranging capabilities as well. He lives in Lanesville with his wife, violinist Erica Pisaturo 

and their two children.

In 2018, Moore began performing, from memory, J. S. Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin.  Sampling the acoustics at the Village Church when he first arrived on Cape Ann, Moore says he knew he’d found “an ideal space to perform this sublime music.” Music Director Kathleen Adams describes his Bach as “brilliant, transcendent playing, promising exciting and wide-ranging collaborations here.”

As Artist-in-Residence, Moore will offer three Sunday afternoon Bach recitals  (dates TBD).  Turning his fiddle to another genre, he will curate a local ensemble to perform with him in a Chamber Roots concert later in the year.

Third Sunday worship services at the Village Church will feature Moore’s violin along with organ (or piano) and choir.  The public is warmly welcomed.  For more information, or to be on a concert mailing list, contact:

Kathleen Adams, AVC Music Director –  jkadams967@gmail.com                          Rev. Sue Koehler-Arsenault, Pastor – capeannrevsue@gmail.com

Frosted…

Saturday, April 9, 2022, 7pm, Dolan Performing Arts Center, Ipswich HS,

High Street, Ipswich MA, (Snow date Sunday, April 10, 2pm)

David Benjamin, Nalani Fujiwara and Bob Rick, Directors

Three local concert bands are preparing an exciting Cape Ann Festival concert combining the musicians of the Cape Ann Community Band, Ipswich Community Band and the Rockport Legion Band on Saturday, April 9, 7pm, at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich HS.  The snow date will be Sunday, April 10, at 2pm. Each of the band directors have extended invitations to their players.  Those players will contribute to a true regional effort to provide a free concert featuring a large ensemble which will resonate as a true festival of our musical Cape Ann community. 

The program is geared toward community players and the music represents varying levels of ability; there’s something for everyone. Players will prepare for  three weeks in March, beginning on Monday, March 21, at 7pm, at the Ipswich High School Band Room. Each of the three directors will share in conducting the program. 

Each of the bands is seeking support from the local business community and individuals to help meet the expenses to produce this concert. All are encouraged to “help us if you can.” Support is sought from each of the bands’ business communities. This concert is sponsored in part by the Ipswich Cultural Council; funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council LCC Grant Program. 

Donations can be made out to: 

Cape Ann Community Band/ 32 Revere Street/ Gloucester MA 01930

For more information please contact David Benjamin at 978-281-2286 or by email at David@DavidLBenjamin.com, 

Nalani Fujiwara: enigma15@verizon.net, or Bob Rick: bobrick7337@yahoo.com

The snow was just the right consistency for some pretty awesome snowman-building around town. Our coast has some new sentinels—from the temp agency 🙂

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