Tag Archives: free concerts

Musical Masterworks Presents Two Free Concerts with ‘DeCoda’ in Old Lyme, Nov. 22 & 23

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OLD LYME–Decoda, Musical Masterworks’ ensemble-in-residence, has announced two free concerts in Old Lyme as part of its mission to create a more compassionate and connected world through chamber music. 

Musical Masterworks invites the public to an interactive family concert on Saturday, Nov. 22 and a “Celebration of Joy and Gratitude” concert on Sunday, Nov. 23. 

Across a weeklong residency at Musical Masterworks, Decoda brings together students, families, and music lovers for programs that blend classical mastery with contemporary imagination.

The residency features Decoda artists Clara Lyon, violin; George Meyer, violin; Sæunn Thorsteinsdöttir, cello; and Catherine Gregory, flute.

Interactive Family Concert

Saturday, Nov. 22

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane

Attendees are invited to explore tempo, dynamics, and tone through hands-on music-making as they create a new anthem of thanks. They’ll leave with creative prompts to continue the musical celebration at home during the holiday week.

A Celebration of Joy and Gratitude

Sunday, Nov. 23

2 to 3:30 p.m.

Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road

The program will explore music for flute and strings, spanning Mozart to contemporary reimaginings that include a fiddle-inspired duo by Decoda’s George Meyer and flutist-composer Valerie Coleman. The concert will be followed by a light reception to meet the musicians.

No reservations are required.

TOP STORY: On ‘Make Music Day,’ Artists Converge in Old Lyme’s Continuing Ode to Free Music for All

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Barbara Harvey and Texas Jack Hardesty played from the side porch of Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau. Photos courtesy of Cheryl Poirier unless otherwise noted.

OLD LYME —Make Music Old Lyme rang in the summer solstice Saturday evening with tunes up and down Lyme Street as part of the international tradition promoting free music for all.

‘Two of Us’ attracted listeners in front of Patricia Spratt for the Home.

Economic Development Commission member Cheryl Poirier estimated there were at least 300 people strolling the historic district while more than a dozen musical acts entertained from porches, yards and storefronts.

Chris Gregor entertains at Center School, where folks stopped to listen and to buy something to eat from the Lions Club grills.

Revelers strolled a route extending from fire station, where Old Lyme’s Colin Hallahan played cover songs and originals, to the lawn of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme on which the 50-year-old Old Lyme Town Band played selections from its 500-piece catalog.

Old Lyme Town Band puts on a show in front of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.

Poirier acknowledged the crowd seemed lighter than in previous years, though she said it’s difficult to provide an exact count when attendees are spread out across three-quarters of a mile for two hours.

Howling Hound Dogs wail under the Kousa Dogwood at Cooley Gallery.

Some people walked up and down the street sampling all the sounds, while others sat down to enjoy one band at a time.

The Scoville Jazz Duo became a trio at the former ice cream shop.

The event is produced by the Old Lyme Arts District and the MusicNow Foundation. Launched in France in 1982, Make Music is an international musical festival open to all who would like to participate, and takes place in over 1,000 cities in 120 countries every June 21, the summer solstice.

The Old Lyme Historical Society got interactive with their contribution to ‘Make Music Day.’ Photo courtesy of Edie Twining.

Children made their own music in an activity hosted by the Old Lyme Historical Society during the stroll.

Band of Friends were back on the patio of the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.

This year marked the 7th annual Make Music event. Genres represented this year included bluegrass, folk, indie rock, American standards, and pop.

The Celestials croon at Village Shoppes.

The international Make Music phenomenon returns for next year’s summer solstice on Sunday, June 21.

The Lions Club volunteers finish up after a successful event.

Essex Winter Series Presents Free, Family-Friendly ‘Carnival of the Animals,’ April 27

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The Essex Winter Series has announced this family-friendly favorite as a humorous musical suite that mimics a variety of animals through 14 short movements.

ESSEX – The Essex Winter Series welcomes Orchestra New England on Sunday, April 27, for a performance of “The Carnival of Animals.”

The 2 p.m. performance will be held in the Valley Regional High School auditorium, 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River. Outer doors open at 1:30 pm; Auditorium doors open at 1:45 pm. 

The organization in a press release described the family-friendly favorite as a humorous musical suite by Camille Saint-Saëns, which – through 14 short movements – mimics a variety of animals.

Jacqueline Hubbard, executive director of the Ivoryton Playhouse, will narrate witty verses by Ogden Nash. 

Tickets for this free concert are available at essexwinterseries.com or by calling 860.272.4572.

Families are asked to reserve tickets for young children even if it is anticipated that they will sit on an adult’s lap. Advanced reservations are highly recommended due to limited seating. 

Accessible parking, entry and seating is available.

Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra, Chorus to Perform Free Concert of Faure’s ‘Requiem’

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The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) and its chorus previously performed Mozart’s Requiem at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich. Photo courtesy of ECSO.

NORWICH – On Sunday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m., the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra  and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus will perform Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and other works at a free concert in the Cathedral of St. Patrick. 

The orchestra will be conducted by music director Toshiyuki Shimada and the chorus by director Daniel McDavitt, according to a press release. 

The ensemble describes Fauré’s late 19th century Requiem as a “truly special piece that will sound stunning in the Cathedral’s acoustics.” It will be sung by soprano Sarah Yanovitch Vitale and baritone Gregory Flower. 

The evening includes a piece by McDavitt titled “The Prayer of St. Francis” as well as Mendelssohn’s “Hear My Prayer” featuring Yanovitch Vitale.

The concert is sponsored by the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation.

The grant allows the organization to promote free access to music across the region, according to Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra executive director Caleb Bailey

Free tickets may be reserved by visiting the symphony’s website. Donations collected at the event will benefit the symphony and St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich.