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

June 12, 2026June 12, 2026

by Jeff Selesnick Following 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. … Read more

Keeping Her Composure

by Jeff SelesnickTraditional piano lessons never felt quite right for Liz McCormack. Even though she had asked her parents to start taking them as a first grader, learning scales, chords, and proper technique didn’t excite her the way she thought it would. She knew she loved music and wanted to learn more about it, but she also knew she needed something different. “It wasn’t the repertoire or the pieces that I found interesting, it was the ability to produce different sounds,” says McCormack. Outside of her lessons, she began to create her own music, blending the sounds she could make on her keyboard and feeling energized by composing her own pieces. It was this step that made her believe that perhaps her passion lay in music composition instead of performance.She continued to take private piano lessons throughout grade school and even though her teacher was not a member of the Concord Community Music School faculty, she was able to have recitals on the Recital Hall stage. This put CCMS on the map for Liz and her family, and when the pandemic presented a natural time to take a break from piano lessons, she pivoted to taking tenor saxophone lessons with former CCMS faculty member Eric Klaxton. Being a jazz musician, Klaxton leaned into improvisation and melody creation which greatly resonated with the budding composer.“I feel like we really clicked because he also enjoys composition,” notes McCormack. “As a jazz musician, he helped me understand how to write for jazz.”It was only a short time that the two were able to work together as Klaxton relocated to Maine and had to end his sessions with her. Aside from the saxophone skills she had acquired, McCormack realized that her true passion was in composition. She quickly started lessons with composition faculty Romeo Melloni, who saw strong composition instincts in her almost immediately.“Romeo told me after my first lesson ‘you have great potential so I’m going to be hard on you because I really want you to strive for excellence.’ And I wanted that,” says McCormack.“She is really willing to learn and was excited to learn the traditional craft of music composition,” says Melloni of McCormack. “That’s really important in these times because so many young composers are putting music together using computer programs and that’s not really learning the craft of composition. I was really happy to see that a young person was willing to go back and see how Beethoven, Mozart, and Strauss solved problems. That was very satisfying for me as a teacher.”The two got to work with Melloni challenging her to write her first piece for violin and viola and to learn how the two instruments spoke to one another. McCormack also started bringing in pieces she was developing on her own and the two would workshop them to help them reach their full potential. Some of those pieces came from the internship she had earned with ConcordTV where the director tasked her with replacing the stock music he had been using with original compositions. Her two short but productive years with Melloni culminated in her final composition recital this spring, where she debuted a piece for classical guitar and oboe, two instruments she was unfamiliar with. “For composers, learning about all the different instruments is a lifetime pursuit – it’s not something you can just learn from an orchestration book,” says Melloni. “I told Liz to make her own orchestration book and write down everything you learn from everybody.”“Everyone had their own style at the recital, and it honestly made me feel a bit out of place,” admits McCormack. “Other composers stayed very true to a classical repertoire with movements and roles for certain instruments. I like writing music that I think represents me and Romeo knows I can kind of break those rules and he wants to see what I can do.”McCormack is excited to start her next musical adventure – studying music composition at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. While she knows there will be music theory and composition courses to take and hopes to have the opportunity to write for the student musicians, there is still plenty of uncertainty about what this next step will bring. And thanks to her experience at the Music School, she is confident she can tackle anything that comes her way.“CCMS confirmed what I really wanted to do. I knew no matter what that I would do something music related but I never knew if that was performance or composition. Getting to meet all the teachers that I had that told me ‘you have to push this’ allowed me to make it work.”
... 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 […]
... Read more
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.
... Read more

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
			0 events 1 0 events, 1	0 events 2 0 events, 2	0 events 3 0 events, 3	0 events 4 0 events, 4
0 events 5 0 events, 5	0 events 6 0 events, 6	0 events 7 0 events, 7	0 events 8 0 events, 8	0 events 9 0 events, 9	1 event 10 1 event, 10 2026-07-10 Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser July 10 - July 12 Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser New England's Piano Somatics Institute returns to Concord this year on July 10-12. This is the perfect opportunity to discover how Alan Fraser and Piano Somatics can help improve your piano playing - even create a breakthrough! Note: The Thursday lecture has been cancelled. INSTITUTE REGISTRATION If you know you want to attend the institute, you ... Read more	2 events 11 2 events, 11 2026-07-10 Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Louise Bichan in Concert July 11 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Louise Bichan in Concert Louise Bichan will present a concert on the Fletcher Murphy Park Stage at Concord Community Music School on Saturday, July 11 at 6 pm. (In the event of rain, the concert will be moved indoors to the Recital Hall). Louise Bichan is a USA-based Scottish musician and photographer who uses both mediums to tell stories ... Read more
1 event 12 1 event, 12 2026-07-10 Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser	0 events 13 0 events, 13	0 events 14 0 events, 14	1 event 15 1 event, 15 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Open Mic Night July 15 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Open Mic Night The Music School is offering an Open Mic Night that is free and open to the public. The open mic will take place in our community room on Wednesday, July 15 from 6-8 pm. Hosted by Zeb Cruikshank, Chair of the CCMS Jazz and Popular Music Department, the evening will feature an all-faculty backup band ... Read more	0 events 16 0 events, 16	0 events 17 0 events, 17	0 events 18 0 events, 18
0 events 19 0 events, 19	0 events 20 0 events, 20	0 events 21 0 events, 21	0 events 22 0 events, 22	0 events 23 0 events, 23	0 events 24 0 events, 24	0 events 25 0 events, 25
0 events 26 0 events, 26	0 events 27 0 events, 27	0 events 28 0 events, 28	0 events 29 0 events, 29	0 events 30 0 events, 30	0 events 31 0 events, 31

There are no events on this day.

July 10

All day

Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser

July 10

All day

Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser

July 11 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Louise Bichan in Concert

July 10

All day

Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser

There are no events on this day.

July 15

July 15 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Open Mic Night

July 15

July 15 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Open Mic Night

There are no events on this day.

faculty

1 event 10

1 event, 10

2 events 11

2 events, 11

1 event 12

1 event, 12

1 event 15

1 event, 15