Learn how you can help a dedicated NY Jazz ensemble

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A new crowdfunding campaign has just been launched to raise money for Binghamton University’s Harpur Jazz Ensemble, according to a release.

 

"More than just a musical education, Binghamton University has been providing students with community, friendships, and connections that last a lifetime," the release said. "The Harpur Jazz Ensemble is a group of talented and passionate students who study and perform big-band repertoire for the community and student body."

 

However, despite "an enormous impact on the local community the group has seen an alarming drop in budget over the past year," the release said.  Therefore, "the launch of their crowdfunding campaign is to raise funds for new instruments, upgraded technology, and better rooms and furniture so they can continue to spark the love for music and its many intellectual benefits in others." 

"Our ensemble doesn't just give these kids an education in music theory, technique, and history. It's an education in community," alumni and crowdfunding organizer Ben Wood said, also in the release. “The friendships and connections we create are for life.” 

"The intent of the campaign is to raise funds for new instruments, upgraded technology, and better rooms and furniture so they can continue to spark the love for music and its many intellectual benefits in others."

"It [music] influences our emotions, makes us think in different ways, and teaches us how to work together,” Wood also said. “I would hate to see something so all-encompassing and vital be unavailable to all the students who share this passion for music."

Donations can be made through the Binghamton crowdfunding page: http://www.binghamton.edu/promo/crowd-funding/harpur-jazz-ensemble.html.

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The Alehounds to open 2016 Twilight Concert Series

The Alehounds

NEW HAVEN - The Alehounds will open the 2016 Twilight Concert Series at the Pardee-Morris House at 7 p.m. June 29, according to a release.

The free outdoor concert is being presented by the New Haven Museum, which owns and operates the historic site, the release said.. The on-site food-trucks for the evening will be Frank Andrews Wood-Fired Pizza and The Cannoli Truck. (rain date June 30)

 

"The Alehounds are a guitar, banjo, fiddle band that plays traditional Irish folk and Americana with just a hint of rock and roll," the release noted. "The band consists of Sean Conlon on guitar, harmonica, vocals; Chops MacConnie on mandolin ad vocals; Mike Ryan on percussion; Colleen Filush on fiddle and  vocals, and Charlie Stevens on banjo. With their musical influences ranging from the Dubliners to the Clancy Brothers, and from Bob Dylan to The Pogues, the New Haven group plays many a rollicking standard."

 

Other Summer Events scheduled at the Pardee-Morris House

·         Connecticut Open House Day – Saturday, June 11, noon – 4 p.m. - Free tours, crafts, and colonial games.

·         2016 Twilight Concert series:

o   July 13 (rain date July 14): Tuxedo Junction

o   July 27 (rain date August 3): Wise Old Moon

o   August 10 (rain date August 11): Goodnight Moonshine

 

"The Museum thanks Alder Salvatore E. DeCola, the Knights of Columbus, Rodrigo Council #44, and neighbors Frank Pinto and Rosemary Spring for supporting the 2016 summer season."

 

 

Concert Details:

The Pardee-Morris House is located at 325 Lighthouse Road, New Haven.  Grounds open at

6 p.m., the concert begins at 7 pm. The Pardee-Morris House will be open to visitors for tours till 8 p.m. The public is invited to bring blankets and chairs and enjoy a picnic on the lawn.  Admission is free; donations are welcomed.

 

 

For more on summer events at the Pardee-Morris House, visit the New Haven Museum’s website: http://newhavenmuseum.org/visit/events-calendar/ and Facebook page: facebook.com/NewHavenMuseum. Sign up for e-blasts at info@newhavenmuseum.org, or call the New Haven Museum at 203-562-4183.  For more information on the New Haven Museum visit www.newhavenmuseum.org or Facebook.com/NewHavenMuseum or call 203-562-4183.

 

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Monogold's New Haven show coming to Cafe Nine

NEW HAVEN -  Brooklyn’s indie-psych trio Monogold has a show February 5 at Cafe Nine with the Peach Kings, according to release.

 

"The New Haven show is one of three stops on a short run of tour dates that has the band on the road in support of their recent album, "Good Heavens" (SoundCloud)," the release said. 

 

Last month's "hilarious, pop culture-infused video for 'Pink Lemonade'” (YouTube), the first of three new videos from the album that being rolled out around these dates, according to the release.

On "Good Heavens", Monogold left the signature synths and samples from their previous work behind, in favor of foundational-layers of lush, dreamy textures, along with the tireless manipulation of the organic sounds of guitars, vocals, percussion, and vintage organs and pianos," the release said. 

 

 

Find Monogold on Facebook and Twitter. 
 

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An Afternoon of Celtic Music and Dancing Will Light Up a Fairfield University Stage

FAIRFIELD — Fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy will perform at Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at 3 p.m., Nov.  8, according to a release.

 The afternoon will "include dancing, singing and world-class music-making," the release said.

Tickets are $50, $45 and $40. Fairfield University student tickets are $5. For tickets, visit www.quickcenter.com or call the box office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. The performance is sponsored, in part, by The Westport Inn, Madison Mott, WPKN and Moffly Media, the release said.

"MacMaster and Leahy are two of the world’s most celebrated fiddlers, and in their new show 'Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond: A Celtic Family Celebration' they form a power duo fit to excite any audience," the release said. " Audiences become part of the journey, as the fiddlers explore their Irish and Scottish roots as well as highlight the unique talents, influences and stories of their Nova Scotia home. This performance is perfect for the whole family, filled with exhilarating music, dancing and pure fun. "

Effort underway to build Connecticut Improv theater

Sea Tea player in New Haven

HARTFORD - Sea Tea Improv's effort to create a Comedy Theater a "permanent home for comedy in Connecticut in the heart of downtown Hartford" is underway.

"We're going to build a comedy theater in the heart of downtown Hartford. Will you help us?," the improve group asked in a release.

To donate or learn more visit here.

 

"What do Boston, New York, Chicago, Providence, Los Angeles, Burlington, and Minneapolis all have in common? They all have improv theaters! It's time for Hartford to join the big leagues by opening our own thriving comedy theater."

"After six years of bringing improvisers together throughout the state, Sea Tea Improv is ready to own and operate a space for comedians, actors, and musicians," the release notes.

"The spot we've picked out is easily accessible and will put feet on the street of our great little city. We love Hartford and we want it to have this affordable and fun entertainment opportunity for all its people, every night of the week."

 

'Participatory concert' at the New Haven Museum

 

NEW HAVEN - The New Haven Museum and the Friends of Grove Street Cemetery invite the public to take part in a special participatory concert of the compositions of Daniel Read, "with the audience seated in the manner of a late 18^th-century singing school, in four sections around an open square—tenor, treble, alto, and bass—facing the singing master," at 4 p.m. Sept. 21 according to a release.

 

The free event will be held at the museum, and will be followed by a reception, the release said. The New Haven Museum at 114 Whitney Ave.

 

"According to records, though Daniel Read earned a living as a comb-maker and the proprietor of 'Read’s Cheap Store' back in late 1700s New Haven, his true claim to fame was his prolific career in  musical composition and choral instruction. In fact, Read was one of the best known, most widely published American choral composers of his day," the release said.

 "The participatory 'singing school' will be accompanied by members of the Yale-New Haven Regular Singing and conducted by Yale University Professor of Music Ian Quinn, with assistance by John Gambell, Yale University printer and participant in the Yale-New Haven Regular Singing," the release said.  

"Quinn will give a brief overview of the practice of group a cappella singing in Read’s time, and conduct a demonstration lesson in the fundamentals of shape-note singing using several of Read’s most important compositions. Copies will be provided for the audience. The lyrics for most of the tunes to be performed were drawn from the work of the English poet and non-conformist hymn writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748). While the lyrics are paraphrased from Bible verses, and reflect Watts’s Christian spirituality, the songs were essentially the popular music of their day, sung in the singing schools and local “singings” in addition to their use in Protestant churches."

Visit  facebook.com/NewHavenMuseum or call 203-562-4183.

 

Neighborhood Music School Open House is Jan. 26 in New Haven

 

 NEW HAVEN -Neighborhood Music School has invited residents and families in Greater New Haven to its annual Spring Open House from noon to 3 p.m. Jan.  26 at 100 Audubon St.

 For more information,

call 203-624-5189
 

"The free event includes an 'instrument petting zoo,' where children can try playing real musical instruments, assisted by older students and teachers," according to a release. "There will be special interactive activities at the Open House, including Project Discovery, where kids and adults can play recorders and rhythm instruments together, a 'drop-in' drum circle for all ages and a kids' Discover Modern Dance class where participants explore the elements of dance. Kids will use their skills for hopping, skipping, jumping and galloping with and without music."

 "There will be other free 'drop-in' classes, including dance and early childhood music and movement, which explores rhythm, motor, aural and social skills for children six and under. For those interested in private music lessons, there will be placement consultations and free mini-lessons at the event for children ages five and up. Financial aid information will be available as well. "

 

“We want people of all ages and experience levels to feel welcome at NMS. There’s no audition required to take lessons here, and many people are pleasantly surprised to learn about our dance and drama programs,” Larry Zukof, NMS executive director, said, also in the release.  “We have highly experienced faculty members and there are many opportunities to play music with other students. You may find yourself wanting to learn more than one instrument at a time!”

 The following schedule also is from the release:

Open House

Interactive activities include:

12:15 p.m.   Project Discovery - Learn how to play the recorder!

1 p.m.           Afro-Caribbean drumming
for all

1:45 p.m.     Discover Modern Dance

No music or dance experience needed!

 Early childhood classes:

12:30 p.m.   Making Music (age 12-24 months)

1 p.m.          Music in Motion (age 3-5)

1:30 p.m.     Yoga Musical Adventures (age 3-5)

2 p.m.           Music in Motion (age 2-3)

Dance classes:

12:30 p.m.   Creative dance (age 4-5)

1 p.m.          Modern dance (age 6-12)

1:30 p.m.     Ballet (age 6-12) 

2 p.m.          Tap (age 6-12)

2:30 p.m.     Hip-hop (age 6-12)

No dance experience needed!

Spring private lessons, classes and ensembles begin the week of Monday, Feb. 3.

 

Editor's note: All information and the photos in this post were contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

Summer concert series at New Haven's Pardee-Morris House

NEW HAVEN  - The New Haven Museum will begin its second annual Twilight Concert Series with a performance by “Reelin’ Away’ on June 19 on the lawn at the

Pardee-Morris House, 325 Lighthouse Road.

The museum “welcomes concertgoers of all ages to enjoy folk, swing and mandolin music during the summer,” and all concerts in the series begin at 7 p.m., according to a release.

On concert night, the Pardee-Morris House will be open to visitors and guided tours  will be available, the release said. Refreshments from Chestnut Fine Foods or wood-fired pizzas from Frank Andrews Mobile Kitchen will be available for purchase, the release said. Visitors can bring blankets and chairs and enjoy a picnic on the lawn.

More about the concerts (also from the release):

June 19: Reelin’ Away. (Rain Date: June 20) Reelin’ Away’s repertoire consists of lively Appalachian-style dance tunes and songs in three-part harmony with the occasional gospel hymn or traditional Irish reel. The trio features Jim Sirch on banjo, flute and bodhran, Willow Ann Sirch on fiddle and David Heiser on guitar, jaw harp and djembe.

July 3: The Survivors Swing Band. (Rain Date:July 10) As a 7-piece professional jazz band based in Connecticut, The Survivors Swing Band plays the classic melodies from a bygone era. The Survivors render music from the 1920s through 1940s with a tilt towards improvisation, giving each pass at a tune a new flavor while still keeping true to the original melodies.

July 24: Walkingwood Mandolin Quartet. (Rain Date: July 25) Walkingwood Mandolin Quartet was founded at the turn of the 20th century to apply the quartetto classico version of the mandolin quartet to a new repertoire. The current, and founding, members are: Ellen Cohn, mandolin; Colin Healy, mandola; Betsy Rome, mandolin; and Gary Wikfors, mandocello.

August 14: SOUND Proof. (Rain Date: August 16) SOUND Proof is New Haven’s premier vocal ensemble, with singers from all over Connecticut who range in age from 13 to 21. The ensemble performs all concerts for charity. Led by founding director, Carol Taubl, the group performs music of all genres.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

Sound School’s S.S. Chanteens to perform at New Haven Museum

The New Haven Museum will act as host for a concert this month featuring the Sound School’s S.S. Chanteens to celebrate the history of the large Irish immigrant population that settled in the Elm City in the 19^th century, according to a statement.

At 7 p.m. March 14, the S.S. Chanteens will perform sea shanties and traditional Irish music, the statement said. Hear a sample of the music here.

"A delicious door prize will also be available: Irish soda bread from Chestnut Fine Foods," the statement said. 

Visitors can also enter a raffle for a gift certificate to The Playwright in Hamden. 

Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

"The Sound School Regional Aquaculture Center, located at City Point along New Haven Harbor Connecticut, has proven to be an ideal home for sea shanties," the statement said. "As song filled the air around campus, and the magic of this language became contagious."

The S.S. Chanteens formed in 2002, with many of its members coming from the rowing and sailing teams. Paula Daddio, previously of the trio Shipping News, and Kristi Otterbach act as the group’s advisors, the statement said. 

Members of the group change every few years, but "they all have an incredible love of the water and a passion for shanties and other traditional music. They perform with the expected enthusiasm of a group of teenagers."

Special thanks goes to the NewAlliance Foundation for their support, the statement said.

The New Haven Museum, founded in 1862 as the New Haven Colony Historical Society, is located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Ave. For more information, contact Michelle Cheng, director of Education, at (203) 562-4183 ext. 11 or education@newhavenmuseum.org. 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

New Haven Chorale sings for the human spirit

The New Haven Chorale presents “Journey of the Soul” at 7:30 p.m. April 30 at Woolsey Hall, 500 College St., New Haven. More than 400 performers will present a gala concert of musical masterpieces and readings that portray humanity’s spiritual journey.

The chorale will be joined by the Hartt Symphony Orchestra, Hartt Choruses amd the Connecticut Children’s Chorus, performing Brahms’ “Schicksalslied” (“Song of Destiny”), Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and the “Urlicht” and “Finale” of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.”

Tickets, at $20, $35 for premium seating, $15 for seniors and free for students with ID, are available at www.newhavenchorale.org or by calling 203-776-SONG. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Neighborhood Music School.