NE Roots and Branches - "Music From North & South: Canadian & Appalachian Folk Tunes"
2026-04-25 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | CCMS Recital Hall
Continue to explore the roots of New England’s unique and beautiful folk music tradition via Concord Community Music School’s ongoing “New England Roots & Branches” series. Some of New Hampshire’s premier folk musicians will combine concerts, jam sessions, and contradancing into lively celebrations of a variety of traditions. Folk musicians of all levels are invited to bring their instruments to play along with performers (and CCMS faculty) Audrey Budington, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki, and Liz Faiella, fiddles and Dan Faiella, guitar at the start and end of each session. However, it is not necessary to play an instrument or have contradance experience to attend and enjoy the events.
“Music From North & South: Canadian & Appalachian Folk Tunes” begins with a slow jam at 6:00 p.m., followed by a concert at 7:00 p.m., and wrapping up with a fast jam at 8:00 p.m.
And save the date for the final 2026 “Roots and Branches” event:

Sat, May 30, 2026 – 6-9PM – “Contradance Music: The New England Contradance Repertoire” (held at the Citywide Community Center, Concord, NH)

The “New England Roots and Branches” series is free and open to the public. It is made possible in part through an arts grant from the City of Concord, NH.

Adult Student Recital - May 13, 2026
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | CCMS Recital Hall
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 our adult students, across a variety of genres.
This event will be held in our Community Room. It is free of charge and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.

CCMS Student Recital - May 15, 2026 (2 Recitals!)
2026-05-15 18:00 - 20:00 | CCMS Recital Hall
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.
Recitals to be held at 6 & 7PM. Each lasts one hour.
These events will be held in our historic Recital Hall. They are free of charge and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.

New Horizons Band 2026 Spring Concert
2026-05-21 18:30 - 19:30 | NH
The New Horizons Band is a community band that welcomes adults of all ages who play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. No auditions, no requirements, just reasonable comfort on your instrument to get started.
Under the direction of Maria Isaak, New Horizons at CCMS is a supportive group for those who have always wanted to learn an instrument, those who haven’t played in years, and even players who have kept their music making current and desire to play in a concert band setting.
Learn more about the Band at ccmusicschool.org/new-horizons-band/
This event is free and open to the public. It will be held at Fletcher-Murphy Park (adjacent to CCMS on Fayette St.)
(Rain date is Thu, May 28.)

Songweaver Drummers Recital - Spring 2026
2026-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | NH
Songweaver Drummers is open to intermediate and experienced women drummers with at least one year’s experience, where they can learn African hand-drumming techniques taught in the oral tradition. Join us for their end-of-year recital.
This lively performance is free and open to the public. It will be held in our Community Room.

CCMS Student Recital - May 29, 2026 (2 Recitals!)
2026-05-29 18:00 - 20:00 | CCMS Recital Hall

NE Roots and Branches - "Contradance Music: The New England Contradance Repertoire"
2026-05-30 18:00 - 21:00 | City Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Continue to explore the roots of New England’s unique and beautiful folk music tradition via Concord Community Music School’s ongoing “New England Roots & Branches” series. Some of New Hampshire’s premier folk musicians will combine concerts, jam sessions, and contradancing into lively celebrations of a variety of traditions. Folk musicians of all levels are invited to bring their instruments to play along with performers (and CCMS faculty) Audrey Budington, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki, and Liz Faiella, fiddles and Dan Faiella, guitar at the start and end of each session. However, it is not necessary to play an instrument or have contradance experience to attend and enjoy the events.
Our second season of the “New England Roots & Branches” series concludes on Saturday, May 30, 2026 with “Contradance Music: The New England Contradance Repertoire”, honoring the genre’s melding of a variety of folk traditions. This event will be held at the Citywide Community Center (Concord, NH.) It begin with an open slow jam session at 6:00 p.m., followed by a contradance called by David Millstone at 7:00 p.m. For the second half of the dance, starting at 8:00 p.m., musicians are invited to join the band and play along.
The “New England Roots and Branches” series is free and open to the public. It is made possible in part through an arts grant from the City of Concord, NH.

Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser
2026-07-09 - 2026-07-12 | CCMS Recital Hall
New England’s Piano Somatics Institute returns to Concord this year on July 10-12, with a special free introductory event on Thursday, July 9 in the Recital Hall. This is the perfect opportunity to discover how Alan Fraser and Piano Somatics can help improve your piano playing – even create a breakthrough!
There is a winter session on March 13-15 for those who are interested.
FREE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE – THURSDAY, 7 PM

Introduction to Pianimals, the first ever piano method based on the Feldenkrais Method.
Introduction to Natural, Artistic Piano Playing, Fraser’s whole series of books on piano technique.
Audience participation: improve the hand standing, walking, running and jumping on the keyboard – exercises done by the entire audience on their laps.
Audience participation: improve how performing musicians can use the whole body in a more organic, comprehensive way to play with greater virtusosity and more expressive depth – a short Awareness Through Movement lesson in sitting.
A short demo piano lesson demonstrating how these strategies can quickly transform one’s ability and one’s sound.

This free event is open to all interested pianists, instrumentalists, vocalists, their families and friends.
INSTITUTE REGISTRATION
If you know you want to attend the institute, you can register on Alan Fraser’s website here. If you are not sure, you will have a chance to register at the conclusion of the free events Thursday evening (space permitting).
OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PIANISTS
The Institute is open to all interested pianists:

students who wish to improve their sound and agility
amateurs who wish to feel more in command of the instrument
teachers who want new ways of teaching technique to their students
professionals who wish to hone their skills to the highest possible level.

There is no limit to improvement!
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS: CCMS STUDENTS AND STAFF
CCMS students and staff are welcome to audit the institute at no charge, and receive a generous discount for active participation.
ABOUT ALAN FRASER
Canadian pianist Alan Fraser gives master classes and recitals worldwide and conducts ongoing research and refinement on the ideas put forth in his three books, The Craft of Piano Playing (also in DVD), Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, and All Thumbs: Well-Coordinated Piano Technique. He is at work on several new volumes. Visit here for more on Alan Fraser.
If you have concerns or questions about your participation in the institute and would like to address them directly to Alan Fraser, send him an email.
To view the full weekend workshop schedule, lecture topics, and registration, please visit Alan Fraser’s website: https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/21-usa-concord.php
