Ellen Nordstrom: Retrospective on a Lifelong Love of Music

October 2, 2023

October 2023 For almost 30 years, Ellen Nordstrom has been a staple of the voice faculty at Concord Community Music School. Her students have ranged from kindergartners to nonagenarians, first-timers to eventual professionals, and she is grateful for the connections she has made, and the opportunities presented to her at the Music School. As she … Read more

The Makings of a Melody

September 7, 2023September 6, 2023

September 2023 In the fall of 2022, the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, the Composers Conference, and Concord Community Music School began an exciting new collaboration. Several students from CCMS were selected for the New Music/New Communities Initiative (NM/NC), with the goal “to inspire and engage young musicians through collaborations with local music education organizations in … Read more

Everything’s Coming up Rose

August 9, 2023August 9, 2023

Rose Kosciuszek Student Feature, August 2023 Putting on a senior recital at Concord Community Music School is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. It is a unique opportunity to reflect on pre-college years spent at CCMS and the culmination of hours spent honing a skill through adolescence. For as long as she had been at the music school, … Read more

Winds of Change: CCMS Bids a Fond Farewell to Stefani Burk

by Jeff SelesnickFollowing the spring wind department recital on June 11, Concord Community Music School will say farewell to longtime oboe teacher and wind department chair Stefani Burk. After 36 years on the faculty, helping shape CCMS into the institution it is today, Burk will be retiring at the end of the school year.“Stef Burk is an absolutely outstanding musician and teacher and her contributions to CCMS go beyond excellent instruction,” says executive director Daniel Acsadi. “She is a key architect of the joyful and welcoming community of the music school through her support and deep caring for her colleagues and student families. Her legacy is easy to hear and see during many recitals filled with enthusiastic oboe students and wind ensembles. We will really miss her but look forward to her visiting whenever she can.”Described by friends and colleagues as a natural leader and educator, Burk started giving music lessons as a teenager in her home state of Iowa. Through her high school and college careers, Burk built a student base in the Hawkeye state and honed her performance and teaching chops while working towards her degree. Equipped with a BME and MA in music education and performance from the University of Iowa, Burk relocated to Maine and quickly built a cadre of woodwind students from Bates and Bowdoin Colleges, as well as a number of nearby high schools. She also earned a spot as oboist with the Portland Symphony Orchestra in 1982, and it was her connections through the orchestra that first led her to CCMS. “One of my friends in the Portland Symphony was teaching clarinet at CCMS,” recalls Burk. “She wanted to do a piece that included oboe on a recital with (Music School Founder) Peggy Senter, so she asked me to play. Shortly after, CCMS needed an oboe teacher and that’s when I started teaching.”Senter spearheaded the Music School’s move to its current location on Wall Street in 1988 and went about filling positions on an expanded faculty roster. Concurrent with the move to Wall Street, Senter also created department chair positions to establish leadership roles within the faculty ranks. And while it would be two years before Burk officially joined the faculty, Senter saw the qualities she sought in a department chair in Burk: “An outstanding experienced educator, a recognized professional performer, a supportive mentor and colleague, and a humble leader ready to mold a band of musicians into a thriving department with faculty who visibly enjoy each other, are non-competitive, and show the world how great it is to make music together.”Burk’s first year at CCMS was in 1990 and she quickly transitioned into the role of wind department chair. Her ability to connect with students and families was a tremendous asset as she developed one of the strongest departments at the school and helped build the CCMS brand in the greater Concord area and beyond. Piano teacher and colleague Kathy Southworth remembers her first few years working with Burk, watching her conduct new student orientations and community outreach. “Stef got to know every family – not just the oboe students’ – but all of the students on some level in her department,” recalls Southworth. “She was tireless in working with public school music teachers to establish a connection with CCMS so that we could provide workshops and other kids of support for their programs. She was a true ambassador for CCMS in the larger New Hampshire musical world.”As a teacher, Burk attracted countless students of all ages and ability levels thanks to her welcoming nature and talent for imparting information in a palatable manner. Her oboe expertise helped first-time players find comfort with the notoriously challenging instrument, and seasoned performers fine-tune their craft. One of Burk’s longest-tenured oboe students Emily Wrubel took a 40-year hiatus from playing her instrument, only to find inspiration from her first lesson with Burk and start playing again. “I think what makes Stef a great teacher is that she helps us make incremental improvements each week,” notes Wrubel. “Essentially Stef gave me back my love of the oboe. I had really missed it and wanted to play again. I hoped to make it a big part of my life but did not expect that I’d find the joy and camaraderie that I get from music these days.” Amidst her sizeable teaching commitment, Burk continued to develop her own skills on the oboe and found numerous outlets for performing. Along with her role with the Portland Symphony, she also performed with the PORTopera and Portland Ballet, as a soloist at the New Hampshire Music Festival, Opera North, and White Mountain Bach Festival, and as part of a number of ensembles throughout New England. One of her current projects is coaching an oboe and English Horn trio based at CCMS where Wrubel has been a member for many years. “Stef has helped us really listen to each other and meld our sounds, tone and dynamics,” says Wrubel of the ensemble. “We have consistently worked to improve ourselves and the group, but if you walk past our practice session, you’ll hear periodic peals of laughter.”Through her many years with the Music School, Burk continued to develop the CCMS wind department by recruiting dedicated faculty and encouraging an array of ensembles that performed music across a variety of genres. Her creativity and wisdom were on full display at Faculty Council meetings, and her commitment to the cause was exemplified by her years as the faculty representative on the Board of Trustees. Some of her creations, such as the “instrument petting zoo” became mainstays in the CCMS yearly calendar and are still offered by the school today. As her career in music education comes to a close, Burk is looking forward to finally tackling the list of house projects that has steadily grown and not having to drive quite as much. She isn’t entirely sure what role music will play for her in the years to come, but she knows it will always be a part of […]
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Green Dreams and Big Scenes: Purple Finches Take On a Lovable Ogre

by Jeff SelesnickAfter a month of May that will see a jam-packed performance and recital calendar, Concord Community Music School regulars may not recognize the Recital Hall come early June. It will be transformed into a swamp, a forest, a castle and beyond as the Purple Finches Youth Choir moves in for its performances of Shrek Jr., on June 4-6. The annual musical production involves all three age groups within the Purple Finches (fledglings, fliers, and finches) and tells the story of the namesake ogre, surrounded by characters from classic fairytales, as he sets off on a hero’s quest.Purple Finches veteran Clara Selesnick is in her third go-round with the spring musical and is excited to play the roles of “Gingy” and “Pig Two,” in this year’s production. Shrek Jr. was at the top of her list for desired musicals based on the humor throughout the script and the dynamic music. “I really wanted to get Gingy because it’s such a funny character, and I think the show is really cool because there’s a bunch of fun songs,” says Selesnick.Maria Isaak, director of the Purple Finches and head of the Shrek Jr. production, has been leading weekly rehearsals since January to ready the cast and crew for the sizeable undertaking. Isaak first brought the idea of a Purple Finches musical to then-executive director Peggy Senter in the mid-2000’s, and after years of development and sorting through logistics, the first production hit the stage in 2011. Following that initial performance of Seussical (which was reprised for last year’s Finches show), musicals continued in an every-other-year format, with Isaak wearing many hats as the head of each production.“Maria is an awesome teacher – she pushes kids outside of their comfort zones and puts them in situations that help them learn and grow,” says Lars Fjelsted, who in his final year as a Purple Finch will play the title role of Shrek in one cast and the role of “Donkey” in the other. “She is funny and always tries to do what is best for the kids.”While Isaak oversees all elements of the spring musical, she is quick to acknowledge the number of people necessary to pull off a production of this size. Each performance is truly an all-hands-on-deck operation, which includes students, staff, faculty, and parents. “Musical theater brings people together – they form committees to help with set design, set build, loading, loadout, costume, fitting, finding, photography, fundraising, T-shirt design and more,” says Isaak. “We always need lots of people to help and they work so hard and do such a good job,” agrees Selesnick, whose mother helped design and create the elaborate sets.One of the strengths of the Finches Youth Choir is the mentor-mentee relationships that are fostered throughout the program, where older participants can assist younger members in a variety of ways. That same mentality carries through to the musical production, where Isaak empowers her students to take on leadership roles. “One of the great outcomes of this nine-year age span is that the older students get to help with choreography, directing and other leadership roles,” says Isaak. “Speaking from experience,” notes Fjeldsted, who has seen both sides of the mentor-mentee dynamic, “the youngest kids naturally look up to the older kids. There is music in everyone, so we try to be inclusive and make everyone feel part of the cast/choir.”Another unique aspect of the Purple Finches production is the integration of live music into the performances. With a hybrid band comprised of faculty, students, and professionals, Isaak is able to involve a greater swath of the CCMS community while having a valuable synergy with the performers on stage. “I like being able to go with the students on stage and help them along if I need to double their voice or jump to where they are at. A performance track just doesn’t feel like I have agency to really help them.”The hard work being put in by all involved will be abundantly apparent when the curtain finally goes up on opening night. Audiences can expect a whimsical journey with wonderful music, filled with adventure, romance, and hilarity. “Some parts will be really funny, some are really cute, and sometimes the audience will be shocked and surprised,” says Selesnick.General admission tickets are still available for all four showtimes, and can be purchased online at ccmusicschool.org.
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Music at W4RP Speed

by Jeff SelesnickFrom Juilliard to jazz and Ravel to rock, the W4RP Quartet will blend styles and genres when they take the stage at Concord Community Music School’s historic Recital Hall on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6 PM. While all four members of the ensemble are classically trained, the group’s repertoire blends classical, rock, jazz, and pop styles to create a dynamic and varied experience for the audience. The group, which features Mikael Darmanie on keys, Josh Henderson on violin, Ju Young Lee on cello, and Rick Martinez on drums, has led workshops and master classes at schools and colleges across the U.S. and played shows in the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.With programs like our Bach’s Lunch series and faculty and student recitals throughout the school year, CCMS is committed to ensuring everyone has access to world-class music education and performance. And thanks to a partnership between the Music School and the Avaloch Farm Music Institute (Boscawen, NH), the W4RP Quartet concert will not only be free to all, but it will also feature a workshop that precedes the show.“We are excited about our continuing collaboration with Avaloch Farm Music Institute,” says Music School Executive Director Daniel Acsadi. “CCMS and Avaloch are both dedicated to providing engaging and powerful musical experiences to our region, many of them free and open to everyone.”Avaloch Farm Music Institute opened its doors in 2012 as a musician’s retreat and cultural hub for the central New Hampshire region. In the years since its opening, it has blossomed into a creative space that offers residencies to musicians, events like the Avaloch Chamber Music Festival and the annual Composer’s Conference, and space and equipment for professional recording. The partnership between Avaloch and CCMS has strengthened over the years, most notably through the composition mentorship program where CCMS students have the opportunity to receive free composition lessons and have their work premiered by a professional ensemble during the Composer’s Conference.“A partnership with CCMS seemed natural to us, as CCMS has a longstanding history of providing musical engagement opportunities and music education accessibility for students of all ages and backgrounds,” notes Jessica Tong, co-artistic director at Avaloch.The W4RP Quartet’s relationship with Avaloch began a few years ago when the ensemble was selected for one of the organizations Creative Residencies. These residencies provide a unique opportunity for individual musicians or groups to dedicate focused time to a specific project, and include living accommodations, meals, and rehearsal/recording space. Along with the ability to develop projects, artists in residency have an educational element weaved into their stay that is a hallmark of the Avaloch experience.“The musicians and ensembles that come to Avaloch for creative residencies are not only world class artists, but also dedicated educators who are deeply committed to building community through music,” notes Tong. “For these Educational Artist Residencies (EAR), we wanted to ensure that the musicians would not only have an opportunity to inspire through their performances, but to mentor the next generation of aspiring young musicians.”With the educational piece established as a foundation, it was only natural that when the two musical institutions developed the concept of a W4RP Quartet performance, a workshop was part of the vision. Selected to be the featured ensemble for the spring 2026 EAR initiative, the group of Avaloch alumni was an obvious fit for a show at CCMS, as part of the initiative includes performances with surrounding educational organizations in New Hampshire. “Collaborating with CCMS allows us to make even more meaningful connections to the community with our visiting musicians,” says Tong.The CCMS recital hall stage will be bustling throughout the end of the spring semester, and the W4RP Quartet workshop and show will help kick-start a stretch of performances that local music lovers won’t want to miss.###
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	0 events 1 0 events, 1	0 events 2 0 events, 2	0 events 3 0 events, 3	1 event 4 1 event, 4 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Thur PM) June 4 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Thur PM) The Purple Finches Chorus is proud to present Shrek the Musical Jr. under the direction of Maria Isaak. This family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must ... Read more	1 event 5 1 event, 5 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Fri PM) June 5 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Fri PM) The Purple Finches Chorus is proud to present Shrek the Musical Jr. under the direction of Maria Isaak. This family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must ... Read more	2 events 6 2 events, 6 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Sat Matinee) June 6 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Sat Matinee) The Purple Finches Chorus is proud to present Shrek the Musical Jr. under the direction of Maria Isaak. This family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must ... Read more, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Sat PM) June 6 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Shrek Jr. (with Purple Finches Youth Chorus; Sat PM) The Purple Finches Chorus is proud to present Shrek the Musical Jr. under the direction of Maria Isaak. This family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must ... Read more
0 events 7 0 events, 7	1 event 8 1 event, 8 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Euphonias Teen Chorus Concert June 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Euphonias Teen Chorus Concert Join us for a recital by The Euphonias, our Teen Chorus. This ensemble is led by Jennie O’Brien and Maria Isaak and will be accompanied by pianist Annelise Papinsick. This chorus is designed for students in grades 9-12 who have a passion for singing and a desire to develop their vocal skills in a collaborative ... Read more	0 events 9 0 events, 9	1 event 10 1 event, 10 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm CCMS Spring 2026 Clarinet Studio Recital June 10 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm CCMS Spring 2026 Clarinet Studio Recital Student recitals are part of the Concord Community Music School’s multi-level curriculum for private lesson students. These frequent performance opportunities help our students perform more easily, broaden their musical skills, and help them make new musical friends. This performance features some of our clarinet students. This event is free of charge, open to the public, ... Read more	1 event 11 1 event, 11 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CCMS Spring 2026 Wind Department Recital June 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CCMS Spring 2026 Wind Department Recital Student recitals are part of the Concord Community Music School’s multi-level curriculum for private lesson students. These frequent performance opportunities help our students perform more easily, broaden their musical skills, and help them make new musical friends. This performance features some of our wind department students. This event is free of charge, open to the ... Read more	1 event 12 1 event, 12 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CCMS Spring 2026 Piano Department Recital June 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CCMS Spring 2026 Piano Department Recital Student recitals are part of the Concord Community Music School’s multi-level curriculum for private lesson students. These frequent performance opportunities help our students perform more easily, broaden their musical skills, and help them make new musical friends. This performance features some of our piano department students. This event is free of charge, open to the ... Read more	1 event 13 1 event, 13 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm CCMS Spring Folk Student Recitals & Jam June 13 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm CCMS Spring Folk Student Recitals & Jam Join us for an afternoon of folk student performances, plus a jam with CCMS Folk Department faculty. This event is free and open to the public. No tickets or preregistration are required. Bring your instruments to join in! Schedule: 1:00pm - Recital 1 2:00pm - Open Folk Jam (walk-in musicians welcome!) 3:00pm - Recital 2
0 events 14 0 events, 14	0 events 15 0 events, 15	0 events 16 0 events, 16	0 events 17 0 events, 17	0 events 18 0 events, 18	0 events 19 0 events, 19	1 event 20 1 event, 20 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Jazz & Popular Music Dept Recital June 2026 June 20 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Jazz & Popular Music Dept Recital June 2026 Student recitals are part of the Concord Community Music School’s multi-level curriculum for private lesson students. These frequent performance opportunities help our students perform more easily, broaden their musical skills, and help them make new musical friends. This concert features students of our jazz and popular music departments. This event will be held in our ... Read more
0 events 21 0 events, 21	0 events 22 0 events, 22	0 events 23 0 events, 23	0 events 24 0 events, 24	1 event 25 1 event, 25 2026-06-25 CCMS at Market Days Festival 2026 CCMS at Market Days Festival 2026 June 25 - June 27 CCMS at Market Days Festival 2026 Join us once again at Market Days in downtown Concord! Stop by to visit our booth, meet our staff, take a sample class, enjoy our musical instrument petting zoo, and more! Like past years, we'll be located right in front of the State House. We'll also be walking the festival wearing our CCMS t-shirts, so ... Read more	1 event 26 1 event, 26 2026-06-25 CCMS at Market Days Festival 2026	1 event 27 1 event, 27 2026-06-25 CCMS at Market Days Festival 2026
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June 4

June 4 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

June 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Euphonias Teen Chorus Concert

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June 10

June 10 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

June 20 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Jazz & Popular Music Dept Recital June 2026

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June 25

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