February Bach’s Lunch: Recession-Proof Valentines

The Bach’s Lunch Series continues on February 2^nd with a lecture by Mark Shilansky entitled “Sing! Vocal Explorations in Jazz.” On February 9^th, Peggo Horstmann Hodes, vocalist, and Kent Allyn, piano, bass and guitar, will present “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love: Recession-Proof Valentines.” Bach’s Lunch programs are free, and take place in the Music School’s Recital Hall, 23 Wall St., downtown Concord, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.

Mr. Shilansky’s lecture on Thursday, February 2^nd will feature the music of jazz artists who have wedded vocal and instrumental approaches in significant ways, from the wordless vocals featured in the music of such artists as Pat Metheny and Luciana Souza, to the practice of artists such as George Benson singing along with their solos, to the equally proficient trumpet and vocal improvisations by Chet Baker, to the lyricization of jazz solos engaged in by Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling. “Sing! Vocal Explorations in Jazz” offers an exploration of jazz vocalists and instrumentalists who sing what they play and play what they sing.

The following Thursday, February 9^th, Peggo Horstmann Hodes and Kent Allyn return for their annual and well-loved Valentine's Bach's Lunch. Their concert, “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love: Recession-Proof Valentines,” will include such economic and emotional truths as “Can't Buy Me Love” by The Beatles, the nostalgic “If I Were a Carpenter,” and the sassy “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.” Join us for a little humor and a lot of love.

Fiddlin' Around Workshops with Lissa Schneckenburger

Feb 16th,  at 7 p.m. "Making Fiddle Tunes Come Alive" 

This is a participatory workshop on how to get  the "DANCE" into dance fiddling.  We will go over a number of stylistic elements, practical details, and practice tips with musical examples.  Open to both fiddlers and classical violinists, please bring a recording device, notebook, and pencil.

March 15th, April 19th, at 7 pm  "Improvisation for Traditional Musicians" 

Spontaneous musical creativity is a skill that can be taught, practiced, and perfected with a series of fun exercises.  It can be an enjoyable element to add to any style of music.  We will be working within a traditional music context, and talking about improving in fiddle music styles specifically.  Open to all instruments, please bring a recording device, notebook, and pencil.

Additional workshops on May 17th and June 14th. Call (603) 228-1196 or click here to register on-line.

Musicians of Wall Street Recital Series Opens with Emily Jaworski, mezzo-soprano and Calvin Herst, piano - Friday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, February 17th, Emily Jaworski and Calvin Herst will perform a selection of songs that in her words “make my heart explode -- works I love the most,” including: Brahms’ Zigeunerlieder, highlights of Canciones Negras by Montsalvatge, Mozart’s Laudamus Te, and the Violin Aria from Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffman. In addition, Ms. Jaworski and Mr. Herst will offer arias by Handel and a selection of songs by Jonathan Hansen and Ricky Ian Gordon. Many of these pieces are works that Ms. Jaworski has prepared for the numerous competitions in which she has participated and will participate this spring. Tickets are available by calling (603) 228-1196 or on-line.  

Peggo Horstmann Hodes, director of the Songweavers chorus at Concord Community Music School, will offer a "Vibrant Voice" class for community members on the third Wednesday of every month, January 18 through May 16, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Music School, 23 Wall St., Concord.

"Vibrant Voice" is a way to discover deeper layers of your voice – the personal, internal, unique, spectacular and essential voice. In this class, you will sing, tone, chant, breathe, write, harmonize, move and play. Participants will open and vibrate their entire body, sounding the soul of their voice. This class, open to men and women age 17 and older, is an opportunity for those who have taken a "Vibrant Voice" workshop to refresh their voice and tap back into playful creativity. It is also an excellent introduction to "Vibrant Voice" for those new to the work.

The cost for the five classes is $85. To register or for more information, call 603-228-1196 or click here to register on-line.