LETTER FROM PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear Friends,
As we celebrate the holiday season and reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for this remarkable community. Each day, I am inspired by you—the people who make this organization thrive and bring such vibrancy to our shared mission. My first months at Rockport Music have been filled with warmth, discovery, connection, and, above all, incredible music, such as the Handel & Haydn Society’s Messiah, vocalist Somi and guitarist Jesse Cook, to name a few.
Anchored by the world-class Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport Music has become a cornerstone of the North Shore’s cultural landscape. This summer, as we celebrate the hall’s 15th anniversary, we will reflect on how far we have come and look ahead to thrilling new opportunities. Together, we will build on this legacy, expanding our reach and impact in meaningful ways.
This season also marks an exciting chapter for young musicians with the debut of the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, a program fueling the next generation of artists. I have been so impressed by the depth of our education programming, which connects students to the transformative power of music and opens doors to learning and growth. Highlights this year include a dazzling Sphinx Virtuosi performance for students, an upcoming Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra masterclass, free community concerts, and artist residencies for all ages.
I look forward to welcoming you to the hall very soon and wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a music-filled New Year.
Warmest wishes,
Suzanne Wilson
President & CEO
Classical Artistic Director Barry Shiffman on the upcoming classical concerts:
As we head into the winter months, I am truly thrilled to welcome Trio Bohémo to Rockport on January 19! Winners of numerous awards, this talented ensemble brings extraordinary passion and precision to their performances. They’ll be presenting an all-Czech program, featuring Dvořák’s beloved Dumky Trio—a piece rich in lyrical beauty and emotional depth. I hope you’ll join us for this enchanting evening!
Then, on February 23, the exceptional Musicians from Marlboro will bring an exciting and inspirational program centered on works by Schumann and Brahms, concluding with Brahms’s deeply moving Clarinet Quintet, a masterpiece of profound emotion and complexity. This distinguished ensemble includes some remarkable artists, including pianist Evren Ozel, who captivated us during last summer’s Festival concert of Mozart and Fauré with violinist Stella Chen. Don’t miss the chance to experience this unforgettable performance!
Save the date for unforgettable programs in March, too!
Orpheus with Jason Vieaux :: MARCH 2
Legendary New York-based orchestra joins with the Grammy-winning guitarist to celebrate the vibrant and beautiful music of Spain and Latin America. Learn more
MARCH 4 & 5
The Irish Tenors
MARCH 11
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
april 13
Joey Alexander
MAY 3 & 4
Lyle Lovett
Discover how Rockport Music's education programs inspire students, empower creativity and foster a love for music in Cape Ann and beyond in this inspiring video.
FALL YOUTH PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This fall has been filled with dynamic educational activities, and we’re excited to share a few highlights with you!
The Sphinx Virtuosi string quartet delivered a stunning matinee performance at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, captivating students from Rockport Middle and High Schools, Ipswich High School Orchestra and Lynn’s All-City Orchestra. Their diverse program, paired with an engaging Q&A session, offered students a deeper connection to music and its cultural significance.
Elementary students were enchanted by the New England Conservatory’s Touring Children’s Opera. This year’s performance of Cinderella was a hit with students from Rockport Elementary, East Veterans Elementary (Gloucester), Lawrence Catholic Academy and Ipswich Elementary. Along the way, students learned about opera’s four unique voice types and what makes this timeless art form so special.
At the November Rockport Schools Band Summit, the Munich-based Arcis Saxophone Quartet brought energy and inspiration to students from elementary through high school. In addition to their performances, the Quartet guided students through improvisatory soundscapes, engaging musical games and the history of the saxophone, fostering collaboration and creativity across age groups.
Finally, Vasilis Kostas (lauto) and Sandeep Das (tabla) shared the beauty of global musical traditions during visits to East Veterans Elementary and Rockport Elementary and Middle Schools. Through mesmerizing improvisations and lessons on non-Western music notation, they inspired students to explore new sounds and expand their musical horizons.
During the 2023-24 season, in the education initiative Writing Our Musical History, Rockport Music worked collaboratively with 1623 Studios and four school districts. Students in Rockport, Gloucester, Manchester-Essex and Beverly High Schools worked with a teaching artist throughout the 2023-24 school year to write about a local landmark/site that is meaningful to them. Enjoy the videos of the performances!
COMMUNITY CONCERTS
JAN 9: Soggy Po Boys | FEB 25: Race & Song | MAR 12: Nightingale Vocal Ensemble
YOUTH PERFORMANCES
JAN 26: Boston City Singers | FEB 8: Cape Ann Youth Chorus
FEB 12: Cape Ann Jazz Workshop Showcase with Alexa Tarantino
MAR 16: Project STEP
BEYOND THE MUSIC TALKS
JAN 7: Abigale Reisman | FEB 8: Kiyoshi Hayashi
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
JAZZ
Dianne Reeves | Preservation Hall Jazz Band | Jazz at Lincoln Center: New Orleans | Joey Alexander | Fred Hersch
FOLK/POP
Lyle Lovett | Crys Matthews | Mike Dawes | Marc Cohn
CELTIC
The Irish Tenors | Danu | Dervish | Genticorum
GLOBAL
Yacouba Sissoko, kora & Mike Block, cello | American Patchwork Quartet
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024
JAZZ, FOLK, POP & GLOBAL
