Friends of Music 2023-24 Season Concerts

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

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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

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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

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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

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J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

 

RYANHOOD in concert Sunday May 5, 2024 at 3PM

Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy 205 S. Main St. Wolfeboro

Named ‘Best Group/Duo’ in the International Acoustic Music Awards, acoustic-duo Ryanhood got their first break as street-performers at Boston’s Quincy Market. Since then, they’ve gone on to perform more than a thousand shows in 47 U.S. states over the past decade, and have shared stages with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, and their star is still on the rise. Ryanhood was recently named the “Discovery of the Year” by John Platt at WFUV in New York City and were a featured act at Australia’s National Folk Festival.

Ryanhood’s shows are driven by strong acoustic guitar interplay and turn-on-a-dime harmonies forged in a decades-long friendship. At turns energetic, hopeful, and quietly moving, Ryanhood offers an invitation to soak in a river of melodies and harmonic hooks; to reflect, laugh, sing, and to stand up and cheer.

Ryan David Green and Cameron Hood (Ryanhood) currently reside in their hometown of Tucson, Arizona, where they have won more than a dozen Tucson Music Awards including “Best Folk Band” and “Best Rock Band” (you can decide for yourself which is most accurate).

“Ryanhood took stage at 8 p.m. Consisting of two guitars and two guys in ties, this band won the crowd by 8:02. Receiving a standing ovation, I think Ryanhood will be this generation’s new mix of Simon and Garfunkel, America, and U2.”
— Idaho State Journal

Ridiculously engaging with a brainy intellectualism not often seen in a pop song. . . . Ryan’s acoustic guitarwork creates a steady and solid foundation for Cameron’s lyrics to shine.”
- American Songwriter Magazine

Sponsored by
Paul Zimmerman - SEASON SPONSOR

Show Sponsors

J. Clifton Avery Insurance Agency

Meredith Village Savings Bank

2023-2024 Season Program Book