behind theNotes

01

Artistic Director Barry Shiffman elaborates, “This performanceis a perfect example of evolution, with the original song cyclereimagined through the artistic team, especially soprano MiriamKhalil, with breathtaking results. Golijov both inspires and is inspired by artists, and to experience the evolution of a workbetween artists and a living composer is nothing short of magical.”

The Festival’s momentum doesn’t slow down, with such world-class artists as the Brentano Quartet, A Far Cry, violinistJames Ehnes, Pinchas Zukerman Trio, the comedic duoIgudesman and Joo, and closing withthe great Emerson Quartet and cellistColin Carr. Young competition winnersare prevalent throughout the Festivalwith the two previous first-prizewinners of the Banff InternationalString Quartet Competition, the Rolston and Dover quartets, as wellas the recent Cliburn competitionwinner Yekwon Sunwoo. Hailing fromMarshfield, Massachusetts, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey, a graduateof Walnut Hill and Juilliard, is a youngvocal superstar with two major competition wins—Grand Finals

ROCKPORT MUSIC NEWSLETTER : S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

The much-anticipated 2018 Rockport ChamberMusic Festival is the first under the artistic directionof Barry Shiffman. Opening on June 15 andcontinuing through July 15, the Festival encompassesa dramatic theme of r:EVOLUTION. This themeis captured in the Opening weekend with composer-in-residence Osvaldo Golijov’s spectacular songcycle Ayre, presented in a beautifully staged theatricalpresentation revealing the musical interminglingof Christian, Arab and Sephardic Jewish cultures.

Join the r:EVOLUTION!INNOVATION—FELLOWS—CABARETS—POP-UPS

winner of the 2017 Metropolitan Opera National CouncilAuditions and the 2018 Glyndebourne Opera Cup. She makesher Metropolitan Opera debut next season, just after her debutin our Festival!

Barry Shiffman shares part of his vision,

It is vital that art has momentum, and space to evolve. Part of the evolution is cultivating new artistic experiences. An

example is the Rockport debut of DavóneTines, who is one of the most importantyoung bass baritones in America. The idea for this program was developed byDavóne as he envisioned how a youngblack American would sing spirituals. We are not just presenting, but activelyinvolved in the development of hisprogram. Several of these presentationswill include theatrical lighting and thedramatic design of the concert hall allowsfor the setting to be an equal partner inthe performance. I am excited to watchour artists be inspired by the space.

Festival r:EVOLUTION continues on pg. 06

ROCKPORT MUSIC 37 MAIN STREET, ROCKPORT, MA 01966 T 978.546.7391 W rockportmusic.org

ROLSTON QUARTET

MIRIAM KHALIL PERFORMING OSVALDO GOLIJOV'S AYRE WHICH WILL BE PART OF THEFESTIVAL'S OPENING NIGHT.

SPR ING 2018 NEWSLETTER 02

As in past years, the lineup for the Summer at Rockportconcert series reflects an impressively diverse castof artists and genres. One particular musical stylethat stands out this summer is the fiddle-fueled,boot-stompin’ genre known as western swing.

A cousin to both the classic big band swing of the BennyGoodman variety as well as the gypsy jazz made famous byDjango Reinhardt, western swing (sometimes called Texasswing) was born in Texas and Oklahoma. Starting out in thelate 1920’s, western swing fused country (or “hillbilly music” as it was colloquially called then) with hot club jazz and swing,and was typically fronted by a fiddle player. It was primarily adance music, bolstered by electrified string instruments likeguitars and pedal steel, and given a strong backbeat to fill thedancefloor. Throughout the 1930’s and 40’s, its popularityreached its peak, becoming especially popular in Californiaduring World War II, as artists like Bob Wills and his TexasPlayboys, Spade Cooley and his Orchestra, and Hank Thompsonand his Brazos Valley Boys toured all over the country and enjoyed huge hit records. Wills in particular became a sensation,with tunes like “San Antonio Rose,” “Stay A Little Longer” and“Bubbles in My Beer” becoming standards of the genre. As theswing era faded, so did the prominence of western swing, but ithas been kept alive throughout the years by groups like Asleepat the Wheel and Hot Club of Cowtown, and with high profilesongwriters like Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett.

This summer we are featuring a handful of groups who paytribute to western swing music, beginning with the nostalgia-laden country and western group Riders in the Sky on July 2. The veteran foursome, all expert players and pickers, leanheavily on the “western” part of the country and western genre,

adding a hefty dose of family friendly cowboy kitsch into theirbrand of swing—think dusty saloons, wide open prairies, RoyRogers and “Rawhide.” You may know them well from theirrecordings for the loveable cowboy Woody in Toy Story 2. Lateron that month, we are treated to the Texas fiddle trio of theQuebe Sisters, who arrive in Rockport on July 21. One of themore buzzed-about western swing groups in the country, the talented young Quebes (rhymes with “maybe”) have graduatedfrom routinely sweeping fiddle competitions as children, totouring the world and releasing critically acclaimed recordsthat feature their gorgeous sibling harmonies and expert musicianship. They rely heavily on the western swing canon fortheir shows, with stunning arrangements of Bob Wills, HankThompson and Cindy Walker classics. Another talented ladytrio coming to our rocky shores is Red Molly on September 28.While not as traditionally western swing as the Quebes, RedMolly still employ the genre’s swinging arrangements and jazzyflair, but with added accents of bluegrass, gospel and folk.

Of course this summer you can enjoy plenty of other styles, aswe’re offering Celtic, jazz, soul and folk artists throughout thenext several months. But we hope you make it out to one ofour delightful western swing bands as well. Cowboy bootsare optional.

A Different Kind of SwingBY CHRISTOPHER BLAGG

RIDERS IN THE SKY

RED MOLLY

QUEBE SISTERS

WE’RE MOVING!!Rockport Music's offices—administrative, box office and operations—will join together in our NEW OFFICES at 16 Main Street, Rockport by June 4 (across the street

from the Shalin Liu Performance Center). We are truly excited to bring our team together under one roof!

SUMMER AT ROCKPORTCORPORATE PARTNER

SPR ING 2018 NEWSLETTER 03

Summer SerenadeBY CHRISTOPHER BLAGG

We sure do love our singers in Rockport.Every summer it seems we parade averitable who’s who of vocal talent onour stage, but this year just mighttop them all in terms of sheer talent and breadth of style. For jazz loversespecially, this summer’s roster is abountiful one. The ever-elegant DianneReeves arrives on July 22 bringingalong her soulful, boundary-crossingstyle and magnetic, commanding stagepresence. In August the daring andtechnically brilliant Kurt Elling returnsto perform during the Rockport JazzFestival, and later in the month JaneMonheit showcases tunes from her recent Ella Fitzgerald tribute record. A vocal pairing par excellence comes in September with a concert of JohnPizzarelli & Catherine Russellperforming a program entitled “Billieand Blue Eyes,” focusing on the tunesmade famous by Billie Holiday andFrank Sinatra.

The singers aren’t all of the jazz varietythough. Raul Malo, frontman for altcountry heroes The Mavericks, gives a solo show in May, and will show off his love of soul, Latin, blues and theAmerican Songbook. The powerfulpipes of former Irish Tenor RonanTynan will be on display in early June,followed in July by the gospel folk anthems of the Grammy-nominatedRuthie Foster, a singer-songwriter ofastounding empathy and intelligencewith a dynamic voice that could movemountains.

RAUL MALO

KURT ELLING

DIANNE REEVES

GALA CONCERT & DINNER TICKETS $1,250 | $1,000 | $750 :: CONCERT ONLY $100 More information at 978.546.7391 x105 | rockportmusic.org/2018-summer-gala

JAZZ FESTIVAL CORPORATE PARTNERS

SPR ING 2018 NEWSLETTER 04CAMPAIG

N U

PDATE The Campaign–Your Gift Matters

Rockport Music’s In Concert with You campaign is still makingprogress towards the ambitious goal of $12 million—withnearly $10,850,000* towards our goal (90%) raised to date.

The In Concert with You campaign will provide much-neededfunding enabling us to bring more great music to you, ourpatrons; expand learning opportunities for children andadults; support the organizational leadership guiding usinto our next phase of growth; as well as the ongoingmaintenance of our stunning building through the ShalinLiu Performance Center Preservation Fund. Also added to our campaign initiative is the Shalin Liu PerformanceCenter Building Preservation Endowment, generouslyestablished by our dear friend Shalin Liu.

Thank you to all who have already given orpledged to the campaign. This campaignis for all of us, no gift is too small, or toogreat, and we look forward to speakingwith you in the coming months about howyou can join in.

For more information, please visit thecampaign website at InConcertWithYou.orgor contact Susan Coffin, our Director of Development, at scoffin@rockportmusic.orgor 978.546.7391 x113.

Stephen Bell & Garth Greimann, Campaign Co-Chairs

A FriendAnonymous (6)Jebediah Foundation, Robert Amory, Trustee

Dianne AndersonMary BarcusJ.M.R. Barker FoundationAnn Batchelder and Bruce Sunstein

Edward and Sheila BeckerJ.J. and Jackie BellJill and Stephen BellThatcher Bell and Victoria WeilJill and Frank G. Berson, M.D.Michael and Mary Ann BresnanThomas M. Burger and Andrée M. Robert

Lois Brynes and Serena HilsingerMollie and John ByrnesJanice Cane and Wally Hess

Robert and Deborah CassadyVerne and Madeline CavinessThe Paul E. Cohan Fund of the Greater Worcester CommunityFoundation

Kathleen Sepers Cohen and Allan H. Cohen

Stephanie and John ConnaughtonLinzee and Beth CoolidgeRev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-WhitePhil and Eve CutterMr. and Mrs. David DearbornGene and Nina DoggettRichard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust

Linda and Michael FriezePhil Goldsmith and Melissa BoshcoJanet and Mark GottesmanAlec Dingee and Susan GrayGarth and Lindsay Greimann

Susanne Guyer and Thad CarpenJerry and Margaretta HausmanMary and Jim HayesMary and Harry HintlianBernie and Lorraine HornRichard Jewell and Elaine Champagne

Stephen Kaloyanides, Jr.Marilyn Bone KlossMr. and Mrs. William J. KneiselAnne Kubik and Michael KrupkaStephen and Sigrid LindoShalin LiuJudy and Mark LurieMary E. MaloneDenise MarikaJeannie and Angus McIntyreMr. and Mrs. Everett M. MorssEileen and Joseph MuellerRichard A. OlliverPatricia Petrou

John and Jean ReesMel and Martha RosenblattMarietta SacklerDavid and Marie Louise ScudderRuth Shane and Barry GartellEugene and Kathleen SkrabutSeymour and Cameron SmithMary Ruth SoleJoe and Helen Soussou Mr. and Mrs. Randall M. StevensJeffrey and Naomi StonbergDavid and JoEllen SweetJolinda and Bill TaylorRichard and Cynthia TennantElliott and Antra ThrasherMr. and Mrs. Peter H. Van DemarkMaura WadlingerSusan and Bill WagnerMitchell and Barbara Freedman WandThi Linh and Peter WernauMargaret and Chip Ziering

In Concert with You Donors as of April 18, 2018

Why give to Rockport Music?That may best be explained by some of our donors.

“The Shalin Liu Performance Center is a gem…

it must be preserved!”

�

“Our children and their childrenshould have the opportunity that we have…to experience the joy in attending concerts and sharing

musical experiences with friends.”

�

“The Shalin Liu Performance Center is not only a superb concert

hall, but a gathering place for friendsand newcomers to the North Shore.

It builds community.”

PROGRAM EXCELLENCEENDOWMENT

$5,000,000

ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIPENDOWMENT

$3,000,000

BUILDING PRESERVATION FUND

$4,000,000

TOTAL

$12,000,000

BECOME A VOLUNTEER!Rockport Music’s volunteers are invaluable toour organization. Multiple opportunities are

available from ushering for concerts to housingartists during the chamber music festival.

Consider becoming a volunteer!

For more details, contact Michelle Alekson at 978.546.7391 x111 or

email at malekson@rockportmusic.org.

Eastern Europe – a place of mystery, unfamiliar food,and Roma (gypsy) music. Every other year musiciansfrom Rockport High School travel abroad for musicmaking and as tourists, and this year they went toAustria and the Czech Republic, playing concerts andexperiencing the sights and sounds of the region.

To help prepare the students for their trip, Rockport Musicengaged musicians for two residencies to help familiarize thestudents with the music of those countries and with an unusualinstrument that they will certainly hear on their trip, possiblybeing played as a “street instrument.”

In October of 2017, the Bohemian Quartet, a string quartet,gave interactive presentations to students, workshopped Romamusic, and welcomed students on stage to participate in playingfour pieces on their free Community Concert. The Quartetalso gave students cultural and historical information. Whenstudents experience Roma music as listeners, it is enlightening.However, the opportunity to play it in a public concert takes theirunderstanding to another level. This is the Bohemian Quartet’ssecond time to provide a residency in Rockport, and they havebeen a group that students often ask to have back.

In March, Nick Tolle, one of a handful of cimbalom players inthe United States, gave demonstrations to students in RockportElementary, Middle, and High schools. This instrument isrelated to the American hammered dulcimer, and is rarely seenor heard in the U.S. In Eastern Europe every restaurant hastheir own cimbalom player as well as “gypsy violinist,” and it is

often heard performed on the streets there. It is also popular in other European countries, especially Spain. Played with twosticks with padded ends, this large trapezoidal instrument istuned somewhat randomly in its upper registers, and is extremelydifficult to play.

In May, students will experience modern Eastern Europeanmusic, and again hear the cimbalom, this time with a chambergroup as part of a residency by the Ludovico Ensemble.

Broadening Musical HorizonsBY STEPHANIE WOOLF

SPR ING 2018 NEWSLETTER 05

NICK TOLLE, A CIMBALOM PLAYER, SHARES DETAILS WITH STUDENTS ABOUT HISUNIQUE INSTRUMENT.

BOHEMIAN QUARTET

Photo Credit: Sharron Cohen

ABOUT THE ROCKPORT FELLOWSThis year’s Festival will launch the new Rockport Fellowsprogram which brings violinist Danny Koo, pianist Tony Yangand a special Rockport Fellowship Quartet of young artists—violinists Boson Mo and Jennifer Murphy, violist Laila Zakzook,and cellist Julie Hereish. These young artists are competitionwinners in the early stages of their careers. The experience forthem and for the Festival audience members is invaluable andelectrifying. Barry elaborates:

I believe there is a responsibility for every established musicpresenting organization to invest back in the ecosystem of thearts, by nurturing emerging young artists, and by providingestablished artists with opportunities to create, innovateand explore. The next generationof classical music is built onthe foundations we lay today,and Rockport has an opportunityto contribute directly to thevibrancy of today, and the brilliance of tomorrow.

Throughout the Festival, theFellows will be involved inmainstage concerts as well asbringing music to the communitythrough pop-up concerts, familyconcerts, and other activities.

Rockport Fellow Danny Kooshares his thoughts:

It’s all about connecting withthe community, bringing ourlove of classical music and embedding it in the communityof Rockport, and that’s somethingI’m really passionate aboutand excited to do.

LATE NIGHT IN ROCKPORTA new late-night concert series—ClassicalCabaret—will feature a casual, intimate 45-minute performance on the performance center’s third floor. This is an up-close andpersonal musical experience where the audienceis just a few feet from the musicians sitting atcafé tables with a glass of your favorite beverage.

WATCH OUT FOR RANDOM MUSICBe ready, you may be strolling along HalibutPoint at sunset to the soft strains of a stringquartet, or find a cellist playing Mozart in thecorner of your favorite coffee shop.

Do not miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting new era of music at the 37th annual

Rockport Chamber Music Festival!

SPR ING 2018 NEWSLETTER 06

SAMANTHA HANKEY, FROM MARSHFIELD, MASS., IS WINNER OFTHE 2017 MET OPERA AUDITIONS AND 2018 GLYNDEBOURNEOPERA CUP

DAVÓNE TINES WILL SING TWICE IN THE FESTIVAL, INCLUDING HIS THOUGHT-PROVOKINGWERE YOU THERE PROGRAM.

PINCHAS ZUKERMAN TRIO

Festival r:EVOLUTION continued from pg. 01

ROCKPORT FELLOWS

JAMES EHNES

FESTIVAL CORPORATE PARTNER

SPR ING 2018 NEWSLETTER 07

Barry Shiffman Artistic Director

Tony BeadleExecutive Director

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Susanne Guyer, Chair

Stephen M. Bell, Vice Chair

Garth Greimann, Vice Chair

Allan H. Cohen, Treasurer

Jeannie McIntyre, Secretary

Frank G. BersonJ. Robert Cassady, M.D.Philip CutterNina DoggettJerry A. Hausman

Steve LindoPamela MorssFrank E. PreviteRuth ShaneNaomi StonbergDavid SweetWilliam E. TaylorRichard TennantSusan WagnerPeter WernauMargaret Ziering

TRUSTEES EMERITIJames BarkerThomas Burger

Mollie ByrnesJanice CaneSusan GrayMimi HarperWilliam HausmanMary MaloneJoseph Mueller

ROCKPORT MUSICCOUNCILDianne AndersonJames BaconPatricia BerteroWilliam BonaccorsoGregory R. BoverJohn Brennan

Lois BrynesAndrew CalkinsMichael CostelloDeborah EpsteinFrank FritschSherwin GreenblattKaren HansonJudith HoodSandra JesseGillian KelloggSusan KingSandra LawrenceLew LeathersichEdward Lowenstein, M.D.Deborah Nelson

Anne PardeeOlivia ParkerPatricia PetrouLeeAnne PowersMelvin RosenblattRichard SafierDavid ScudderMary Ann SherryHinda SimonKathleen SkrabutHelen SoussouBarbara SparksBruce D. SunsteinPaul Sylva

Mary Malone:“Rockport is part of my heritage. I want to make it a part of my legacy.”BY KATHY URNER-JONES

Mary Malone’s roots in Rockport go back for generations.She has fond memories of summers here as a childand almost weekly visits to the town as an adult.When she retired, after years of living in Cambridgeand working in financial services, she moved back to her family home in Rockport.

Mary’s first involvement with Rockport Music was as a volunteerfor the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, when it was a four-weeksummer festival performed in the Rockport Art Association. In2008, she was elected to the Board of Trustees, where, as anofficer and committee chair, she became actively involved in avariety of Board initiatives, including planning for the Shalin LiuPerformance Center. After three terms, Mary retired in 2017and was elected a Trustee Emeritus.

She notes, “When I joined the Board, I did not imagine thetransformation that was about to unfold for Rockport Music,”as it was to become a year-round presenter of a broad range of extraordinary music in its own home, a world-class performancecenter overlooking Sandy Bay. Sheremarks, “Joining with all those whoworked tirelessly to make RockportMusic the remarkable success storythat it is today could not have been amore rewarding experience.”

Mary attends concerts of many genres—classical, jazz, pop—and enjoys MetOpera HD performances. “It is a real treatto enjoy such exceptional and diverse offerings within five minutes of myhome,” says Mary, “and to me, what is special about a Rockport Music

performance is the connections andsense of community I experience inthe hall—the intimate connectionto the performers; the sensory connections, including crystal clearacoustics and ever-changing oceanviews; and the warm social connectionsto a community of music lovers.”

To help future music lovers enjoy thesame experience available to her,Mary decided to become a LindenTree Society member and nameRockport Music as a percentage beneficiary of her IRA. Retirementplan assets can carry a heavy tax burden when passed on tofamily members and can be complicated enough for heirs torequire the help of an advisor. She says, “By designating RockportMusic, a charitable organization, as the beneficiary of a portionof my IRA, I can make a gift that is free from income and estatetaxes. At the same time, my will directs other assets, such asappreciated securities, to family and friends, without creatinga tax problem for them.”

“Rockport Music never stands still—and I want to make sure that its missionof enriching lives through extraordinarymusic and educational programs continues to grow and evolve,” Marysays. “I am giving my gift to help supportthis important mission for futuregenerations, and I’m hoping it will inspireother supporters whose generositywill help to make that possible.”

For more information, contact Kathy Urner-Jones at 978.546.7391 x132 or kurnerjones@rockportmusic.org.

LINDEN TREESOCIETY

MARY MALONE, A LINDEN TREESOCIETY MEMBER

PLANNED GIVING AT ROCKPORT MUSIC

08ROCKPORT MUSIC 37 MAIN STREET, ROCKPORT, MA 01966 T 978.546.7391 W rockportmusic.org

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDROCKPORT, MAPERMIT NO. 7

Editor: Karen Herlitz Contributing Editor: Christopher Blagg

37 MAIN STREET, ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS 01966

MAY 3: Harpeth RisingMAY 9: Education Concert | Ludovico EnsembleMAY 10: National Theatre in HD |MacbethMAY 12: Boston Children’s ChorusMAY 17: Jesse Colin YoungMAY 18: Shawn ColvinMAY 25: Naturally 7MAY 26: Raul Malo

JUNE 1: Lee RitenourJUNE 2: Gala | Preservation Hall Jazz BandJUNE 7: Rad TradsJUNE 8: John SebastianJUNE 9: Ronan TynanJUNE 10: Bolshoi Ballet in HD | CoppeliaJUNE 11 & 12: Gordon Lightfoot JUNE 15: Festival Opening NightJUNE 16: Theatre | Kafka & SonJUNE 16: Montrose Trio & Barry ShiffmanJUNE 17: Frederic Chiu & Andrés DíazJUNE 21: An Evening of BrahmsJUNE 21: Classical Cabaret | Carmen & LisztJUNE 22:War and Peace: Attacca Quartet JUNE 23: Stephen Prutsman, pianoJUNE 24:Handel Love Duets

JUNE 27: Rockport Fellowship Quartet &Tony YangJUNE 28: James Ehnes, violin & Andrew Armstrong, pianoJUNE 29: Film | Virtuosity–The CliburnJUNE 29: Brentano Quartet & Yekwon Sunwoo, pianoJUNE 30: Family Concert | Rockport Fellowship Quartet & Tony YangJUNE 30: Brentano Quartet & Dawn Upshaw, soprano

JULY 1:Minsoo Sohn, pianoJULY 2: Riders in the SkyJULY 5: Open Rehearsal | Rolston Quartet &Davóne TinesJULY 6: Film | Exit MusicJULY 6: Rolston Quartet & Davóne Tines,bass-baritoneJULY 6: Classical Cabaret | Bach & GolijovJULY 7: A Far CryJULY 8: The ARC Ensemble & Davóne TinesJULY 9: The SubdudesJULY 12: Bach Suites with Colin Carr, celloJULY 13: Dover Quartet & Barry Shiffman,violaJULY 14: Family Concert | Dover QuartetJULY 14: Igudesman & JooJULY 14: Classical Cabaret | Schumann & Popper

JULY 15: Emerson Quartet & Colin Carr, celloJULY 16: Jim MessinaJULY 17: Met in HD | Madama Butterfly JULY 18: Alexa Tarantino Quartet withUlysses Owens, Jr.JULY 19: Enter the HaggisJULY 21: Quebe SistersJULY 22: Dianne ReevesJULY 23: Met in HD | Il TrovatoreJULY 25: Jazz Workshop Faculty Concert

JULY 26 & 27: Arlo GuthrieJULY 28: Brothers FourJULY 29: Ruthie FosterJULY 30: Met in HD | Eugene OneginJULY 31: Jake Shimabukuro

AUG 3: Delvon Lamarr Organ TrioAUG 4: Jazz Fest | Harold López-NussaAUG 5: Pinchas Zukerman TrioAUG 6: Met in HD | TurandotAUG 9: Jazz Fest | Grace KellyAUG 10: Jazz Fest | Kurt EllingAUG 11: Jazz Fest | Monty Alexander TrioAUG 12: Jazz Fest | Joe Lovano QuartetAUG 15: Della MaeAUG 16 & 17: Paula ColeAUG 19: Larry Carlton

JUNE

JUNE

AUGUST

JULY

JULY

MAY

:: Summer 2018 Calendar ::

ROCKPORT MUSIC2018 ANNUAL FUND

Together We Make Beautiful Music!

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Rockport Music is gratefulfor its continued support bythe Massachusetts Cultural Council.