Friends of Music 2023-24 Season Concerts

Heifetz International Music Institute On Tour 

NOTE: The concert date and venue have changed 

Friday, October 13, 2023, 7:00PM
First Congregatioal Church, Wolfeboro

WFOM again welcomes the brilliant young musicians of ‘Heifetz On Tour’.
Beyond its world-renowned summer program on the campus of Mary Baldwin University, the Heifetz Institute offers a signature Heifetz on Tour program designed to offer real-world performance experience for its most promising young artists on violin, viola, violoncello, and piano. They tour after completing a rigorous and inspired conservatory program with some of the world’s most talented classical musicians at the Heifetz International Music Institute in Staunton, Virginia. The touring program covers not only the home region in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, but ranges from Maine to Florida to California including the Kreeger Art Museum in Washington DC. This prestigious national tour is made possible through collaborations with partner institutions eager to showcase the talents of our Heifetz students and alumni.

Violinists Nicholas Kitchen (director) and Daniel Heifetz (Institute founder) developed ‘The Heifetz Performance and Communication Training Method’ to guide musicians to discover their full creative potential and express their individuality not only through technically and intellectually robust music making, but also through emotional and even physical engagement with the music they play. This world class touring program allows them to unite brilliant young musicians from around the globe with inspired audiences, in ensemble performance.

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

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J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

Presbybop Quintet in A Joyful (Jazzful) Holiday Concert
Friday, December 8, 2023, 7:00PM
First Congregational Church, Wolfeboro, NH

Since 1993, the Presbybop Quintet has offered jazz that brings listeners completely to life. Founded by pianist Bill Carter, the band is a consort of professional musicians from New York and eastern Pennsylvania. Their collective resumes sound like a who's who in the international jazz scene. The Quintet has toured nationally, including the main stage at the Chautauqua Institution, and have been joyfully received wherever and whenever they perform. They have released eleven recordings; the most recent included a jazz requiem for choir and jazz quintet that Carter composed as a syncopated response to the covid-19 pandemic.
They are excited to return to Wolfeboro for a toe-tapping evening of Holiday jazz. Since two of the band's albums feature holiday music, listeners can expect to hear familiar songs of the season - including a medley of music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

Don't miss this great opportunity to hear these outstanding musicians! (who just happen to be Presbyterian ministers- their music is ‘Heavenly’)
“Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet honor the Christmas Season with a thoughtful collection of standard and not-so-standard melodies of the Christmas Season. ‘Fragile Incarnation’ is a collection of carols presented with a swinging and reverent style, all translate very well to the jazz vernacular in the hands of the capable Mr. Carter” Michael Bailey – ‘All About Jazz’ magazine

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

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J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

Gathering Time  Sunday, January 14, 2024, 3:00PM
First Congregational Church, Wolfeboro, NH

With a seamless vocal blend, inspired guitar work and precise percussion, Stuart Markus, Christine Sweeney, and Gerry McKeveny evince deep roots in 1960’s folk-rock, with a dash of traditional folk in the mix. Their stage chemistry makes clear that they take the music (if not themselves) very seriously, yet their infectious energy wins over even fans who never considered themselves “folkies”.

Start with the 1960s folk tradition of Peter, Paul & Mary; add the vocal complexity and electric energy of Crosby, Stills & Nash, a bit of The Byrds and a jot of Joni Mitchell, and you have Gathering Time, a folk-rock/Americana harmony trio that has been turning heads for nearly
a decade on the northeastern folk circuit and beyond. Together with songstress Joni Mitchell with whom they were linked, they represented the
culmination of what the Woodstock era had to offer in terms of songwriting and musicianship.

Gathering Time’s tribute runs the arc of their career heydays, from their days with The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and the Hollies, through the 1970s, as well as Joni’s career from ‘60s songwriter to ‘70s icon. "When they harmonize, some sort of fundamental, cosmic concordance occurs that makes you very happy that you have ears."
Bob McKillop, mainefolkmusic.com

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

Show Sponsors

J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

Archduke Trio  Sunday, February 11, 2024, 3:00PM
First Congregational Church, Wolfeboro, NH

Violinist Aaron Berofsky, cellist John Haines-Eitzen, and pianist Matthew Bengtson are each internationally acclaimed soloists and chamber musicians who have performed in major concert halls world-wide. Their recent collaboration has produced brilliant, mature renditions of the classical music repertoire. Praised as ‘Masterful’ with ‘dazzling technique’ and ‘extraordinary depth and imagination’, the ensemble is technically and musically accomplished. Together they provide a true sense of ‘chamber music’ at the highest level. Their frequent recording projects have been praised for technical assurance and passion, apparent in their interpretations of Mozart. Beethoven and Brahms, as well as the works of lesser-known composers.
“energetic, vibrant, technically impeccable, and in perfect coordination”,
Daniel Morrison, Fanfare magazine
“Splendid… this concert is as good as any we will hear this season”,
The Baltimore Sun

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

Show Sponsors

J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

The Westerlies  Saturday, March 16, 2024, 7:00PM
Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy

The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk.” (New York Times) are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of childhood friends from Seattle. From Carnegie Hall to the Baryshnikov Arts Center, The Lied Center of Kansas, the Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts, and the New York Philharmonic Sidewalk Series, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.
Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” are “Skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies explore jazz, roots, and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids: music that is both "folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” (NPR Music). Friday, December 8, 2023, 7:00PM

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

Show Sponsors

J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

Fred Moyer, Pianist  Back by Popular Demand!

Celebrate as we welcome a true ‘American Master’.
Saturday, April 20, 2024, 7:00PM
Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy

For over 35 years, concert pianist Frederick Moyer has delighted audiences in 44 countries, from the Sydney Opera House to Windsor Castle, to Carnegie Hall, to the Kennedy Center. Fred has performed with most major orchestras in the United States, as well as many orchestras throughout Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. His performances exhibit impeccable training and exacting artistry both with classical music and jazz. Inventive technological enhancements, well-chosen programs, and his relaxed verbal introductions help audiences get to the heart of the musical experience.

During Covid, when concert halls everywhere went dark, pianist Frederick Moyer performed over 200 concerts for audiences throughout the United States. His home studio was discreetly outfitted electronically with multi-cameras and state of the art sound equipment. An avid computer programmer and inventor with multiple patents, Fred has created innovative concerts that redefine the piano recital. His MoyerCam gives the audience a view of his hands and keyboard from virtually any seat.
“His playing is clean, unmannered, and full of ideas and intelligence.” The New York Times

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

Show Sponsors

J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

The Barefoot Movement  From Nashville: Innovative Masters of Appalachian Bluegrass
Sunday, May 5, 2024, 3:00PM
Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy

Acclaimed ‘Americana Bluegrass’ Band “The Barefoot Movement” has carved out an indelible space in the acoustic scene since their 2011 debut album, ‘Footwork’. Their sound is invigorating, infused with a captivating honesty that transports audiences to a place of complete enthrallment.
The band officially formed in North Carolina in 2006, after front woman Noah Wall met mandolinist Tommy Norris and discovered a convergence of aligned artistic passions. That initial crackle of intensity never waned and instead became the force catalyzing the band through its various incarnations.
Today, the Barefoot Movement is comprised of Noah Wall—whose powerhouse vocals, songwriting, and fiddle playing serve as the backbone of the band—mandolinist Tommy Norris, and upright bassist Katie Blomarz. Their energetic, joyous, and heartfelt live performances have garnered them fans nationwide (and worldwide) and earned them the 2014 IBMA Momentum Award for Band of the Year (International Bluegrass Music Association).
The Barefoot Movement creates gloriously addictive, instantly memorable tunes shored up by silky smooth bluegrass and Americana harmonies laced with tantalizing flecks of bluesy grit.
“The Barefoot Movement delivers powerful, heart-rending, butt-kickin’ inoculation against lifelessness in all its forms. I would travel a thousand miles to hear them again and I urge music lovers of all stripes to join me.” Chuck Plotkin, Producer (Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan)

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

Show Sponsors

J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

2023-2024 Season Program Book