Community Calendar

Join us on Thursday, May 29, at 5:00 PM at St. John’s Church in Portsmouth for the annual Memorial Concert, featuring renowned organist Geoffrey Wieting.

A gifted musician with deep New England roots, Wieting began his organ studies in York Harbor, ME, before continuing his training at Phillips Exeter Academy, Oberlin College & Conservatory, and New England Conservatory, where he earned his Master of Music. In addition to his work as a freelance organist, pianist, and vocal coach, he is a respected classical music reviewer for the Boston Musical Intelligencer.

This special performance offers an evening of reflection, remembrance, and exquisite music.
The proprietors being memorialized are Joan Christy, Gerard Wesley “Wes” DeVries, Felice Fullham, Ruth Griffin, Elinor “Liz” Lamson, Robert M. Mennel, Stephen Hall Roberts, Richard Wilber Snowden, as well as proprietor spouses Joyce Y. Hanrahan, Katharine “Trina” Ingram, Joan Slavin Rice, Robin Sowden, and Susan Thoresen.

The Dirigo String Trio will perform a program of works by J.S. Bach, Beethoven and Massenet

About the musicians

William Somes (Violin) holds a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in political science and economics from the University of Maine, where he graduated in 2021. He continued his academic studies at George Washington University, where he obtained a graduate certificate in environmental resource policy. He moved back to his home state of Maine in 2022 and began working as a Partnerships Associate with Music Kids, where he helped bring lessons in violin, piano, and guitar to many public and private school systems across the country.

William began learning Suzuki violin at the age of seven and has studied under career performers and educators such as Anatole Wieck, Lynn Brubaker, Sascha Zaburdaeva-Lorimer, and Stewart Kitts. His professional experiences include masterclasses and coaching sessions with faculty at the University of Maine School of Performing Arts and string quartets like the Beo String Quartet. He regularly plays as concertmaster with local community ensembles including the Downeast Chamber Orchestra and the pit orchestra for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. William has taught instrumental music in public and private schools in Washington, D.C. as a member of the Music Kids Teaching Faculty and has also managed a private studio at Music Junction in Alachua County, FL.

Taylor Clark (Viola) started her musical training at the age of seven when she began taking private violin lessons at RDL Strings in downtown Bangor, ME. She continued her studies through high school and into college, where she pursued her interests in fashion business, theatre, and music at the State University of New York at Oneonta. Taylor's musical journey continued with orchestra and pit band performances. She also studied music abroad while attending the University of Glasgow in Scotland for one semester. Taylor has participated in many smaller orchestras and ensemble groups since then, including the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from college, Taylor transitioned into education and assumed the role of Director of Performing Arts at a prestigious private school, where she honed her leadership and organizational skills by teaching music theory and theatre studies. Taylor is also an entrepreneur, composer, and arranger, releasing her own music under the artist name “DARKT”.

Luiz Gonçalves da Silva (Cello) began his music studies at the age of nine. Since then, he has performed nationally and internationally, participating in many music festivals and masterclasses in the United States, South America, and Europe. Luiz has studied at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he earned his Merit Certificate in Cello Performance. He currently studies at the University of Maine with Noreen Silver, where he is earning his Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in cello performance. At the University of Maine, Luiz has participated in many chamber music ensembles, including string quartets, piano trios, a variety of duos, musicals, and more.

Join the Amethyst Chamber Soloists and Amethyst Project for a beautifully evocative celebration of the summer night in the Bowdoin College Chapel. The program features Barber’s Sure on This Shining Night, Berlioz’s Nuits d’été, and Debussy’s Beau Soir among other gems, culminating in Vaughan Williams’ luminous Serenade to Music.

$25 suggested donation at the door

Reservations recommended at amethystchamberensemble@gmail.com

www.amethystchamberensemble.com

Undeniably magnificent, Dvořák’s New World Symphony, as its commonly known, is full of magical moments, melody, and drama. With its beautiful, soul-stirring melodies, spanning from moments of quiet tenderness to sheer ferocity, it is a most-fitting piece to mark the end of the PSO’s milestone 100th season.

Violinist Tai Murray, described as “superb” by The New York Times and appreciated for her elegance and effortless ability, appears to perform Korngold’s cinematic Violin Concerto as part of this concert, which also features Duke Ellington’s dynamic and vibrant, “Harlem.”

PROGRAM:

DUKE ELLINGTON: Harlem

ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
featuring Tai Murray, violin

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From the New World"

Words and Music featuring Robert Gans, piano and voice

Samuel Barber’s Nocturne op. 33 is a piece that I had the good fortune of being introduced to when I heard a PCM board member practicing it in the Performance Hall. I was immediately intrigued by it’s unique sound created by the left hand which is tonal, and the right hand which is 12 tone/atonal.

Prokofieff’s Visions Fugitives #5 – 8 are a follow up to #1 – 4 which I played at a previous concert.

I wrote Collage and Rhapsodic Variations at the same time and premiered them at one of the Back Bay Contemporary Music Festivals where they were well received by the music press. Collage is a hybrid neo-romantic-impressionist piece and Rhapsodic Variations consists of variations on an eight note theme and is also in a neo-romantic style.

The Ocean, More Than You and Moving On are three songs I wrote and recorded for an album and two musicals.

Program:
S. Barber: Nocturne Op. 33
S. Prokofieff: Visions Fugitives #5 – 8
R. Gans: Collage
R. Gans: Rhapsodic Variations
R. Gans: “The Ocean” from the album The Presence of that Absence
R. Gans: “More Than You” from the musical Cleopatra’s Tomb
R. Gans: “Moving On” from the musical Hail Mary

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, experience the Casco Bay Wind Symphony for an extraordinary evening of music with “American Celebration” at the Sanford Performing Arts Center! This dynamic concert showcases the Symphony’s impressive ability to blend traditional and modern wind band pieces, offering a rich and diverse musical experience. With a history of captivating performances at prestigious venues such as Portland’s Merrill Auditorium and the historic Celebration of the Arts Festival, the Casco Bay Wind Symphony is a cherished part of the local cultural landscape.

Known for their distinctive sound, which features a full range of woodwinds, brass, and percussion, this wind symphony brings a unique and vibrant touch to every performance. From stirring patriotic anthems to innovative contemporary compositions, the “American Celebration” promises to engage and inspire audiences of all ages. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the exceptional talent and dedication of the Casco Bay Wind Symphony!

Music Through the Ages for Flute and Guitar

Some music reaches out towards us with its power and exuberance. Some music draws us in with its delicacy and intimacy. The guitar has a prominent presence in our musical culture, often in those powerful and strong settings, amplified to bring its sound out to us. In classical music, the familiar sound of the guitar plays a very different role, one that’s “fresh and exciting” in this less-familiar setting according to Paul of Paul & Kate. The combination of flute and guitar invites us to listen deeply to its intimate sound, to downshift from the loudness of our daily lives to hear a different kind of expressive musical story.

Paul & Kate have primarily performed more contemporary classical music. In this concert, they present works by celebrated composers from 18th- and 19th-century Europe. The program includes music adapted from its original version for the combination of flute and guitar. An important consideration when adapting music for guitar in its standard tuning is how well the key sits on the instrument. G minor is not a favorable key for guitar players; the transcription of the Bach sonata eliminates this problem by using a capo on the third fret, allowing the piece to remain in its original key.

Program:
Sonate in G minor, BWV 1020 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Andante in C, KV 315 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) arr. Dr. John Ross
Sonata in A minor, D 821 “Arpeggione” – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) arr. Allen Krantz

Paul Kneller holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Southern Maine. He studied classical guitar with two teachers in the Portland, Maine area, John Johnstone and Keith Crook. While studying at the university, he participated in a Master Class with Lily Afshar and performed in the 41st Honors Recital. Apart from solo performances, he has had the opportunity to play with a variety of different instrumentalists. He has performed and recorded with groups outside the classical realm. Since 2017, Paul has been teaching guitar in southern Maine. Paul joined the faculty of the Portland Conservatory in 2021.

Kate Bernier graduated from the University of Southern Maine and holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance. She trained for five years under the direction of Krysia Tripp. In the past Kate has played principal flute for University of Southern Maine Wind Ensemble, USM Concert band, Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and Bowdoin College Orchestra. She currently studies with Dr. John Ross through the Portland Conservatory of Music. Kate enjoys exploring her musical options, working on chamber music, and teaching flute.

St. Ann's Kennebunkport 2025 Benefit Concert -- July 20, 5:00 to 6:15pm

St. Ann’s By The Sea in Kennebunkport, ME will be hosting an exciting concert of Baroque Masterworks in the oceanfront Stone Chapel. Directed by Ian Watson, the performance will feature world-class musicians playing authentic period instruments. The public is invited to hear this memorable performance in a spectacular setting. Proceeds will benefit the St. Ann’s Church preservation fund.

Program to be performed on baroque violins, violas, cello, bass and harpsichord:

- Concerto in D major, Op. 6, No.12 by Evaristo Dall’Abaco
- Concerto Grosso in E minor, Op. 3, No. 3 by Francesco Geminiani
- The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi

Opera Maine Presents Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. A tale of vengeance, love, and dark humor that has captivated audiences for decades. A Sunday Matinee, July 27, 2:30 – 5:30, at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street in Portland. For tickets: (207) 842-0800 or www.porttix.com.

Masterpieces of Arabic Music

The Maine Middle Eastern Orchestra will be performing a concert of brilliant instrumental pieces and beautiful songs from the golden age of Arabic music. The featured composers for this program – Mohammed Abdel-Wahab, Riad al-Sounbati, Mohammed al-Qasabji and the Rahbani Brothers – are among the most celebrated artists of Arabic art music.