Music Calendar of Events 鈥 Fall 2024
Friday, September 20, 8pm
Family Weekend
Traditional Irish Music
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
Boston based Uilleann piper Joey Abarta and fiddler Nathan Gourley are two of America鈥檚 greatest Traditional Irish musicians, who have been playing music together daily since 2013. Their debut duo album, Copley Street, featuring Owen Marshall on Greek bouzouki, has an undeniable chemistry and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of each the other's playing. Their music includes offbeat settings of well-known tunes and beautiful pieces that seem to languish in obscurity. "Copley Street" is a wonderful album from two stunning young players that adds to Boston鈥檚 rich history of traditional Irish music.
Saturday, September 21, 7pm
Family Weekend
Jazz and Blues with an Irish Interlude
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
This one hour performance will feature a number of student musicians from a variety of academic departments on campus. From Freshmen to Seniors, they will join to present musical opportunities offered here at 海角社区 - including Jazz, Blues, and Traditional Irish Music.
Tuesday, September 24, 7pm
海角社区 Chapel Artist Series
Dexter Kennedy
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Winner of the Grand Prix d鈥橧nterpre虂tation at the 24th Concours International d鈥橭rgue de Chartres
Wednesday, September 25, 12pm
Lunchtime Concert
Feelin' Good - the Music of Nina Simone
Rhiannon Hurst - voice
Matthew Jaskot - piano
Beehive, Prior Performing Arts Center
Join us for this lunchtime concert that features the music of American icon and innovative jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Nina Simone. In addition to being a celebrated musician, Simone was a staunch advocate for Civil Rights and equal rights for women. She was a brilliant storyteller who seamlessly blended a variety of musical styles such as gospel, blues, folk, pop, jazz and classical. Simone鈥檚 music will be performed by vocalist Rhiannon Hurst (鈥25 Brooks and Fenwick Scholar), pianist Matthew Jaskot, and other music department students. The program will be about 30 minutes long.
Sunday, September 29, 3pm
Irish Traditional Music Hour in Worcester
Diarmuid 脫 Meachair, Accordion & Melodeon
Sorcha Costello, Fiddle
Brooks Concert Hall
Please join us for a wonderful afternoon of traditional Irish music with Diarmuid 脫 Meachair, recipient of the Young Musician of the year award from TG2 and the newest Music Instructor in the Department of Music. He will be joined by award winning Sorcha Costello, traditional Irish fiddle player from Tulla Co. Clare. This concert promises to be like nothing else held on campus and not to be missed!
Thursday, October 3, 12pm
Gallery Lunchtime concert
Blue Sonority
Cantor Art Gallery
Thursday, October 10, 8pm
Mike Monaghan & Friends
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
Renowned Jazz musician Mike Monaghan and his colleagues, Ben Cook, Marshall Wood, Marty Richards, John Wilkins will perform an exciting evening of jazz improvisation.
Sunday, October 20, 1pm
Irish Music Hour in Worcester
John Carty, fiddle & banjo
Alan Murray, bouzouki & guitar
Brooks Concert Hall
John Carty and Alan Murray will explore together the rich and diverse domain of Irish traditional music. John Carty is one of Ireland鈥檚 finest traditional musicians having been awarded the Irish Television station, TG4鈥檚 Traditional Musician of the Year in 2003. Born in London, fiddle and banjo player John Carty has established himself among the elite in Irish traditional music and as a staunch supporter of its preservation. He will delve into the different dance tunes with his noted inventive and creative musicianship on fiddle, banjo and tenor guitar accompanied tastefully by Alan on bouzouki and guitar who will also enhance the whole performance with his songs. These two musicians, both with numerous accolades in their respective careers, are collaborating for what promises to be a not to be missed performance here at the college
Friday, October 25, 8pm
College Choir & Chamber Singers
Sunshine Over the Blessed Earth
Fall Concert
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
Livestream can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/b376ZF1byCw
Music celebrating life, earth, and heaven from geographically distant locations. Most of the selections on our program come to us from countries that are over 4000 miles away; locations that would take multiple legs of transportation, or are otherwise a challenge to access from Worcester, MA. We鈥檙e deeply grateful to the people with personal connections to these countries in our community who have shared their language, stories, and expertise as we embark on the joyful journey of performing this music.
Monday, October 28, 7:30pm
海角社区 Wind Ensemble & Worcester Youth Wind Ensemble
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
The 海角社区 Wind Ensemble is excited to host the Worcester Youth Wind Ensemble for a shared concert featuring both ensembles performing in collaboration. The Worcester Youth Wind Ensemble is part of the Worcester Youth Orchestra organization and is open to students in grades 7-12.
Tuesday, October 29, 7pm
海角社区 Chapel Artist Series
Johann Vexo
Organist Cathedral of Nancy, France
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Wednesday Nov. 6, 12pm
Lunchtime Concert
Children of Shadow and Light
Sergio Mu帽oz Leiva, viola
Matt Jaskot, piano
Beehive, Prior Performing Arts Center
Childhood: a time of innocence, joy, and promise. It is because of these associations that the suffering and loss of children seem more poignant and tragic. Violist Sergio Mu帽oz Leiva and pianist Matthew Jaskot present chamber music inspired by children and the complex emotions that arise when childhood intersects with war, social injustice, and death. Lighthearted compositions by Chick Corea (excerpts from Children鈥檚 Songs) and Robert Schumann (excerpts from Kinderszenen) are contrasted by music by Mary Kouyoumdjian (A Boy and a Makeshift Toy), Victor Jara (Luch铆n), and Jaskot (Still, You Bloom in my Heart, world premiere). The program will be about 30 minutes long.
Tuesday, November 12, 12:40 pm
海角社区 Chapel Artist Series
Ezequiel Menendez, 海角社区, Artist in Residence and Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Hartford
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Wednesday, November 13, 8pm
海角社区 Orchestra
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
Join the 海角社区 Orchestra for 鈥淒ances, Marches and Dreams鈥. This program spans over 300 years of musical history, featuring compositions from 1713 to 2022. Experience the diverse dreamlike worlds created by composers across different cultures and eras. Each piece offers a unique glimpse into how these composers have interpreted themes of dance, celebration, and imagination through their artistic perspectives. Program includes works by Bach, Mozart, Supp茅, Respighi, Whitacre, Oguntola, and more.
Friday, November 15, 4pm
End of Semester Student Recitals
Brooks Concert Hall
Students who participated in the private lesson program perform the works they have studied during the semester.
Tuesday, November 19, 6pm
Chamber Music Recital
Brooks Concert Hall
Chamber music is played by small ensembles of two or more players such as duos, trios, quartets, etc., where every part is played by a single performer. Its intimate setting creates a process that is democratic, participative, and that across history has been compared to a conversation among friends. This recital features the students who participate in the Chamber Music course as they perform the works they have studied during the semester.
Wednesday, November 20, 8pm
Brooks and Organ Scholars Recital
Brooks Concert Hall and St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
The Brooks Scholarship is a four-year, full tuition scholarship offered to a music major or double major in music and another discipline. They demonstrate outstanding accomplishment in their area of musical study as well as significant academic achievement. The Department of Music is proud to present a concert featuring the Brooks and Organ Scholars, our most accomplished student artists.
Thursday, November 21, 8pm
海角社区 Jazz Ensemble
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
The 海角社区 Jazz Ensemble will perform American Jazz standards under the direction of Mike Monaghan.
Sunday, November 24th, 3pm
海角社区 Wind Ensemble
Earth Songs
Luth Concert Hall, Prior Performing Arts Center
Join the 海角社区 Wind Ensemble for a musical journey inspired by the beauty of the earth. Experience diverse climates and locations, from the serene Alaskan snow to the sound of a gentle rain which the audience will help create. The program features Frank Ticheli's "Earth Song," described by the composer as "a cry and a prayer for peace". Additional pieces by Whitacre, Hall, Ives, Iannaccone, Balmages and others. This concert will be an exploration and celebration of our beautiful planet.
Monday, November 25, 12pm
Lunchtime Concert
Inspired by Blue
Cantor Gallery, Prior Performing Arts Center
Please join us for a performance of music and dance by students in Prof. Matthew Jaskot's Composition/Songwriting course and Prof. Jimena Bermejo's Body Stories course. These works are inspired by the current gallery exhibit Blue Profundity: Contemporary Artists Revist a Color. The performance will be approximately 30 minutes long.
Tuesday, December 3, 8pm
海角社区 Laptop Ensemble Federation
Booth Media Lab, Prior Performing Arts Center
Join the 海角社区 Laptop Ensemble Federation (H-CLEF) for a concert of choreographed sound and image showcasing final student projects written for Music 242: Coding Music.
Thursday, December 5, 8pm
Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
Please join us for the College鈥檚 Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent. The service will take place in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel on Thursday, December 5th at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 7:30 pm
Gamelan Gita Sari Concert
Boroughs Theatre, Prior Performing Arts Center
Under the direction Nyoman Catra, one of Bali鈥檚 most renowned master artists of traditional dance/theatre, our Balinese dance and Gamelan students collaborate with guest artists for this fall concerts. It is always a highlight of our season and a treat for all ages. The Balinese dance concert provides an opportunity for the community to experience the awe and wonder of the sacred art of Bali.