Tag: Saratoga Springs

  • Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center to Return To Saratoga Springs

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced they will again partner with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, renewing an annual residency. “CMS at the Meadows,” hosted at Pitney Meadows Community Farm open-air High Tunnel greenhouse, will present twelve performances in 2022, spanning June, July, and August. The diverse orchestra will take on masterworks by the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, and Dvořák. 

    ‘CMS at the Meadows’ at Pitney Meadows Community Farm.

    “One of the highlights of this past summer’s programming was the glorious confluence of stunning music-making in a magnificent natural setting. Thanks to our partners at The Farm, we are excited to be going back there for the summer 2022 season,” said SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol. 

    Led by artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will highlight a diverse array of performers and composers. Some CMS guests, like the acclaimed Escher String Quartet, make a welcome return to Saratoga Springs. Others, like German clarinetist Sebastian Manz, Brazilian oboist Hugo Zouza, Taiwanese-American violist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, and American hornists David Byrd-Marrow and Kevin Rivard, will appear at SPAC for the first time ever. 

    A previous performance of CMS at the Meadows holds an open-air crowd mesmerized.

    In addition to highlighting both familiar classics and new frontiers, CMS will also continue their intentional efforts to highlight BIPOC music and musicians. A special Juneteenth concert will see acclaimed BIPOC composers Jessie Montgomery, Florence Price, and William Grant Still make their SPAC debuts. 

    “It will be an exciting summer, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it,” Finckel and Wu Han shared in a statement. 

    The Hill Tunnel at Pitney Meadows Community Farm.

    Tickets to all six Chamber Music Society programs (performed at 3 pm and 6 pm rain or shine) will be available for purchase at spac.org, beginning on December 10th with a presale for SPAC members. The general public will be able to purchase tickets starting December 17th. See the full summer schedule below: 

    Sunday, June 12 @ 3PM & 7PM: Quintessential Quintets

    ANI KAVAFIAN, Violin

    IDA KAVAFIAN, Violin

    PAUL NEUBAUER, Viola

    STEVEN TENENBOM, Viola

    DAVID FINCKEL, Cello

    Mozart: Quintet in G minor for Two Violins, Two Violas, and Cello, K. 516 (1787)

    Dvořák: Quintet in E-flat major for Two Violins, Two Violas, and Cello, Op. 97, “American” (1893)

    Sunday, June 19 @ 3PM & 7PM: From the Harlem Renaissance to Today  

    MSIMELELO MBALI, Bassbaritone

    WU QIAN, Piano

    STELLA CHEN, Violin

    GUILLERMO FIGUEROA, Violin

    TIEN-HSIN CINDY WU, Viola

    NICHOLAS CANELLAKIS, Cello

    Still: Suite for Violin and Piano (1943)

    Montgomery: Duo for Violin and Cello (2015)

    Price: Quintet in A minor for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello

    Additional vocal works TBA

    Sunday, July 10 @ 3PM & 7PM: The Magic of Mixed Ensembles

    MICHAEL BROWN, Piano

    CHAD HOOPES, Violin

    KEITH ROBINSON, Cello

    TOMMASO LONQUICH, Clarinet

    KEVIN RIVARD, Horn

    TBA, Viola

    Mozart: Quartet in G minor for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, K. 478 (1785)

    Schoenfield: Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano (1986)

    Dohnányi: Sextet in C major for Clarinet, Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano, Op. 37 (1935)

    Sunday, July 17 @ 3PM & 7PM: Astounding Winds

    JUHO POHJONEN, Piano

    ADAM WALKER, Flute

    HUGO SOUZA, Oboe

    SEBASTIAN MANZ, Clarinet

    MARC GOLDBERG, Bassoon

    DAVID BYRD-MARROW, Horn

    Reicha: Quintet in E minor for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn, Op. 88, No. 1 (1811-17)

    Beethoven: Quintet in E-flat major for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, and Piano, Op. 16 (1796)

    Françaix: L’heure du berger for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, and Piano (1947)

    Poulenc: Sextet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, and Piano (1932-39)

    Sunday, August 14 @ 3PM & 7PM: The Escher Quartet

    ESCHER STRING QUARTET

    ADAM BARNETT-HART, Violin

    BRENDAN SPELTZ, Violin

    PIERRE LAPOINTE, Viola

    BROOK SPELTZ, Cello

    Haydn: Quartet in B-flat major for Strings, Hob. III:78, Op. 76, No. 4, “Sunrise” (1797)

    Walker: Lyric for String Quartet (1946)

    Webern: Langsamer Satz for String Quartet (1905)

    Dvořák: Quartet in E-flat major for Strings, Op. 51 (1878-79)

    Sunday, August 21 @ 3PM & 7PM: Beethoven’s Archduke

    WU HAN, Piano

    ARNAUD SUSSMANN, Violin

    DAVID FINCKEL, Cello

    Beethoven: Trio in C minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 1, No. 3 (1794-95)

    Beethoven: Trio in B-flat major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 97, “Archduke” (1810-11)

  • Caffe Lena Announces December 2021 Events

    Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced their December 2021 lineup of shows. The venue will close out the year in style with tons of performances throughout the month starting on December 2, 2021. 

    Caffe Lena December 2021
    caffe_lena_explore_saratoga_

    Caffe Lena was opened in 1960 and became a staple of Saratoga Springs launching many of America’s best loved and well known songwriters, ranging from big names like Bob Dylan in 1961 to Sawyer Fredericks in 2014. After the passing of its founder Lena Nargi Spencer in 1989, Caffè Lena was converted to a non-profit institution supported by concert revenue, private and corporate donors, grants and bequests, and an ever-evolving team of volunteers. The venue recently went through renovations in 2016. It began a $2 million renovation of their 19th century building in Saratoga’s historic downtown. It wrapped up in 2017, guarantees a home for Lena’s celebrated programming for decades to come, creates 100% handicap-accessibility to our second floor performance space, and brings the listener and artist experience in line with the club’s international reputation.

    The schedule will start with Scott Sharrard on Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm and Friday, December 3rd at 8pm. He is a lead guitarist and music director of the Gregg Allman Band from 2008 to 2017 and Guitarist/ Vocalist for Little Feat since 2019. 

    Caffe Lena December 2021
    Scott Sharrard photo provided by Caffe Lena.

    Planet Light will take place on Saturday, December 4th at  8pm featuring Jonathan Greene (woodwinds), Bobby Kendall (bass), Brian Melick (drums), Zorkie Nelson (drums), Mitsuko Suzuki (violin), Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius (piano), Garland Nelson (vocals) and Kelly Bird (vocals) for an evening of seasonal arrangements and original material. 

    Dirty Grass Players with Kendall Street Company will take place on  Friday, December 10th at 8pm. These two bands redefine what it means to play bluegrass as they combine elements of psycadelic jam music with jazz, rock and more. 

    Street Corner Symphony on Saturday, December 11th at 8pm. Runners up in NBC’s all-vocal competition, The Sing-Off, this contemporary acapella group can bounce between all genres of music.

    Caffe Lena December 2021
    Street Corner Symphony photo provided by Caffe Lena.

    Kimberly Hawkey’s: A New Noel will take place on Sunday, December 12th at 7pm.This concert will be a celebration of Hawkey’s newest record, A New Noel, an original holiday album that was created in collaboration with songwriters Justin K. Rivers and Lecco Morris. 

    Kohler and Kelly will take place on Thursday, December 16th at 7pm.Fiddler Gretchen Koehler and jazz pianist Daniel Kelly blend traditional dance fiddling with jazz. 

    Sirsy will take place on Friday, December 17th at 8pm. They are an indie pop-rock duo bring a special stripped-down acoustic storyteller set to the Lena stage.

    Caffe Lena’s Annual Holiday Folk Show will take place on Saturday, December 18th at 4pm & 8pm. The show will feature Trish Miller, John Kirk, Sara Milonovich, David Kiputh and Addie and Olin return to the stage for two shows to celebrate the holiday season.

    The Fretless will take place on Sunday, December 19th at 7pm. A Juno Award winning Canadian quartet that transforms fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, high-energy arrangements.

    A Very Leonard Christmas with Let’s Be Leonard will take place on Thursday, December 23rd at 7pm featuring a jazzy five-piece rock and roll jam band presenting their annual holiday show.

    Let’s Be Leonard photo provided by Caffe Lena.

    Amy Helm will take place on Wednesday, December 29th and Thursday, December 30th at 7pm.Amy Helm is the daughter of Levon Helm and former member of Olabelle, Amy Helm is blessed with a powerful voice and an uncanny songwriting skill rooted in American tradition

    Both In-Person and Live Stream tickets will be available. To purchase tickets and collect more information visit Caffe Lena’s website.

  • Cassandra Kubinski Announces Show at Caffe Lena in Celebration of #1MillionHearts EP

    Cassandra Kubinski announced show at Caffe Lena in celebration of her recently dropped #1MillionHearts EP. The celebration will take place on October 31, 2021 at 7PM at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. 

    Cassandra Kubinski is an up and coming singer/songwriter who has hit the billboards multiple times. She has had music on TV, from Lifetime to ESPN to ABC and  has collaborated with big names like the Goo Goo Dolls (including their collaborative release of her Autism anthem Not So Different), Chris Botti, 10,000 Maniacs, DJ Taz Rashid, and even her personal music hero, Billy Joel. You may have heard her songs that have supported  important causes, such as “Not So Different” for Autism and “You Get Me” for pet rescue. She was also  the composer and bandleader of Emmy-winning new media TV Show “The Never Settle Show” hosted by Mario Armstrong, and she serves as the Global Co-Chair of Membership for international non-profit Women in Music.

    Her #1MillionHearts EP was officially  released to all digital platforms on October 1, 2021. The Caffe Lena show follows up Kubinski’s NYC Release Show at The Cutting Room which took place on October 3, 2021 and the global virtual launch concert featuring multi platinum artists Ryan Cabrera, Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees), and Brad Fischetti (LFO) which took place on October 1, 2021. 

    Saratoga Springs holds a special place in Kubinski’s heart though which is why she’s going back there for a show at Caffe Lena. Kubinski’s previous Capital Region appearances includes multiple shows at Caffe Lena before she  became a full time Saratoga Springs resident in 2020, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Virtual Holiday Homes Tour, airplay on WEXT and WEQS, and both artist workshops and performances at Wildwood School in Schenectady.

    “I’m excited to bring my band back to Saratoga. #1MillionHearts is all about connection, community, and finding freedom after a time of darkness or constriction,” Said Kubinski. “I think many of us can relate to that in society and in ourselves at this time. We’re excited to give the audience an incredible, elevating show, and to support arts education and the upstate community as well.”

    Tickets for both in-person seats and online viewing options are available here.

    For more information on Cassandra Kubinski and her upcoming shows visit her website.

  • The 2021 Eddies Music Awards Announces Nominees and Ceremony

    The Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards or more commonly known as the Eddies Music Awards announced their 2021 nominees and ceremony date. The awards ceremony will be held at 7PM on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.

    This is the second installment of the Eddies Music Awards in 2021. This group of nominees represents works done by musicians in 2020. The first installment represented works done by musicians done in 2019 and were recognized during a live broadcast from UPH this May after two postponements due to the pandemic made them unable to host the awards ceremony in 2020 as planned.  

    This year’s categories will be a little different than in previous years. Sal Prizio, Eddies co-founder and co-producer explained this saying, “About half of the categories we presented in previous years were scuttled when looking at 2020. We took a poll of judges and there was near unanimous agreement that the genre categories such as best folk artist and best hard rock artist didn’t make sense, as so much of the assessment in those categories was based on live performance.” 

    The categories this year are: Arts Publication of the Year, Arts Journalist of the Year, Radio DJ of the Year, Radio Station of the Year, Music Recording Studio of the Year, Label of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best Presenter of Virtual Live Music Shows, and Best Live Virtual Performance(s) by an Artist – Show or Series – Covers.  

    Tickets for the Eddies Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 27, 2021 and the Eddies Music Awards on November 14, 2021  are now on sale here

    For more information the 2021 Eddies Music Awards visit their website. 

    Full list of nominations listed bellow: 

    Arts Publication of the Year 

    NYS Music 

    Preview /Times Union 

    Spot 518 

    The Xperience Monthly 

    Ticket/Daily Gazette 

    Arts Journalist of the Year 

    Steve Barnes  

    Jim Gilbert  

    Michael Hallisey  

    Indiana Nash 

    Jim Shahen Jr. 

    Liam Sweeney 

    Radio DJ of the Year 

    Wanda Fisher 

    Art Fredette 

    Andy Gregory 

    Bill McCann 

    Jeff Morad 

    Sonny Speed 

    Chris Wienk 

    Radio Station of the Year 

    RadioRadioX 

    WCDB 90.9 

    WEQX 102.7 

    WEXT 97.7, 106.1 

    WSPN 91.1 

    WVCR 88.3 

    Music Recording Studio of the Year 

    Albany Audio Associates (AAA Recording Studio C) 

    Blue Sky Recording/Mixing Studio 

    Millstone Recording Studio 

    NRS Studios Catskill 

    The Recording Company 

    Starling Studios 

    Label of the Year 

    Albany Records 

    Cacophone Records 

    Equal Vision Records 

    Flipped Out Records 

    Magnetic Eye Records 

    Upstate Records 

    Music Video of the Year 

    “Everyone’s Gone Home” – Joel Brown 

    “Moon” – Novus Cantus 

    “Skin Disease” – Craig Hamilton 

    “Ain’t Going Anywhere” – Buggy Jive 

    “Modernist” – El Modernist 

    “Sellout” – Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band 

    “415” – Sydney Worthley 

    “Alone” – Zan & The Winter Folk 

    Record of the Year 

    “Hold Me” – Julia Alsarraf 

    “Everyone’s Gone Home” – Joel Brown 

    “Moz Disco” – Coupons   

    “Better off Alone” – Moriah Formica 

    “Quentin” – Gordon St. 

    “Roll Over You” – Sean Rowe 

    “Andy Warhol” – Annie Scherer 

    “A Thousand Years” – The Sea The Sea 

     “415” – Sydney Worthley 

    Album of the Year 

    “Somethin’ Comes Along” – Bright Dog Red 

    “Ain’t Going Anywhere” – Buggy Jive 

    “Back Pocket” – Dominick Campana 

    “Going Places” – Dylan Canterbury 

    “Rougher Stuff” – Dark Honey 

    “Flowers for You” – Sawyer Fredericks 

    “What Happens After” – Laveda 

    “Northeast” – Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter 

    “Stumbling Home” – The Sea The Sea 

    Songwriter of the Year 

    Julia Alsarraf 

    Dan Berggren 

    Buggy Jive 

    Jim Gaudet 

    Girl Blue 

    Michael Jerling 

    Kate McDonnell 

    Kim Cirillio Wickham 

    Best Presenter of Virtual Live Music Shows 

    Caffe Lena – “Stay Home Sessions” 

    Frank Cavone / Mirth Films 

    Freedom Park Quarantune Series 

    Mark Gamsjager / The Lustre Kings weekly Saturday night virtual shows  

    High Peaks Event Productions 

    The Linda: Open for Take-Out Virtual Concert Series 

    Best Live Virtual Performance(s) by an Artist – Show or Series – Covers 

    Rick Bedrosian 

    Mark Gamsjager 

    DJ Trumastr 

  • Caffe Lena School of Music to offer New Classes for Kids starting in September

    After a year of online music teaching, Caffe Lena is bringing youngsters into its historic performance space for an after-school program that mixes music education along with socialization.

    Caffe Lena School Of Music

    “Music is a gift best shared with friends,” says guitar and ukulele instructor James Gascoyne. Fall classes are set to Begin this September with in-person and virtual options.

    Caffe Lena School of Music group lessons show off authentic folk teaching methods. “No sheet music. No big stars. We gather in a circle and learn to sound good by watching and listening carefully,” says program coordinator Vivian Nesbitt. Students who spent the year being taught on Zoom came to the venue over the summer and experienced the change and enjoyment of face to face music.

    Caffe Lena School Of Music

    Proctor’s Collaborative and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall have well-established theater and music training programs with generous scholarship opportunities. Caffe Lena’s Matt McCabe Scholarship provides tuition assistance and loaner instruments for families in need.

    Nesbitt goes on to say, “While we are hopeful about meeting in person this fall, the safety of the students, their families and our staff comes first. Anyone in the teaching space must be masked. In the event that the classes need to move back online, Zoom will be ready to continue the program.”

    Caffe Lena’s online lesson program will continue into the fall with a slate of new classes for more advanced players just announced. Lena Jonsson, an Award-winning Swedish fiddler will be joining the roster along with singer-songwriter Cosy Sheridan. Sheridan, a Caffe Lena performer, will be teaching a four-week songwriting class. These classes, geared toward adults, have attracted students from all over the US and Canada as well as Spain, the UK and Australia.

    Founded in 1960, Caffè Lena is a premiere concert venue located in Saratoga Springs. Known around the world for fostering the preservation and growth of independent music rooted in tradition. In person or virtually, Caffe Lena provides an unparalleled listening experience for renowned artists and breakout bands nearly every night of the week. for more info about their schedule, please visit www.caffelena.org

  • Jackson Browne and James Taylor delight and Excite at SPAC

    Thousands of fans packed the beautiful grounds of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs on a spectacular August evening to listen to the familiar and steady voices of James Taylor and Jackson Browne.

    Jackson Browne got the evening started, singing a mix of his classic songs. If you closed your eyes during the performance, you’d be hard-pressed to know that it was not the Jackson of one of his early albums. Fans enthusiastically greeted each song, many singing along with the familiar lyrics. The audience erupted in cheers when Jackson brought out James Taylor to accompany him on a few songs. He mentioned that knowing this tour was on the horizon made the last year and a half more bearable. Both performers mentioned how much fun they’ve been having on this tour, so much so that they have added 18 new dates.

    Jackson Browne James Taylor
    Jackson Browne at SPAC

    After a short break, James Taylor‘s set began with images and videos playing on a gigantic fretboard above the stage. Pictures of James throughout his career, fans at different James Taylor shows, and videos of fans playing some of James’ songs warmed up the enthusiastic crowd. As the darkened stage lit up, James emerged in his trademark cap and jacket and performed songs from his massive songbook.

    Jackson Browne James Taylor
    James Taylor at SPAC

    The crowd didn’t hesitate to call out requests, and James interacted with the crowd to set up his next selection. “It’s funny you should mention North Carolina,” before segueing into “Copperline,” a song about the area he grew up in. As a James, I was happy to hear “Sweet Baby James” make the setlist. The songs served as a lullaby of sorts to me and transported me back to my youth. Jackson Browne joined Taylor for an encore of “Take it Easy,” and James ended the night with “You Can Close Your Eyes,” a duet with his son Henry

    The tour continues in the northeast with one more show in New York at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, and two shows in New Jersey before heading south and west in the fall.

    James Taylor Setlist: Country Road, Never Die Young, Copperline, That’s Why I’m Here, Mexico, You Make It Easy, Line ‘Em Up, Steamroller Blues, Easy as Rollin’ Off a Log (Johnnie ‘Scat’ Davis cover), Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain, Carolina in My Mind, Shower the People, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

    Encore: Shed a Little Light, Take It Easy (with Jackson Browne), You’ve Got a Friend, You Can Close Your Eyes (with Henry Taylor)

  • Opera Saratoga Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Summer Festival

    This summer marks the 60th anniversary of the Opera Saratoga Summer Festival. Initially dubbed the Lake George Opera playing to a crowd of 230 people, Opera Saratoga regularly performs for over 25,000 a year. Having performed over 90 works by 52 composers, this summer’s festival commemorates the history and continued success of those who have put on these critically acclaimed productions. The festival features three concerts inspired by the literature of Miguel de Cervantes: Quixotic Opera, Man of La Mancha, and Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding. 

    Working with a team of those dedicated to ensuring safety in the time of COVID, Opera Saratoga has committed to bringing audiences back safety for this summer’s festival for an outdoor experience during the months of June and July. These performances, produced in partnership with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, and Pitney Meadows Community Farm, provide different performance spaces for a safe and enjoyable concert. 

    opera saratoga summer festival
    Via Opera Saratoga Official Site

    “Quixotic Opera”

    June 24th and 25th saw the kickoff of the festival with an 80 minute “Quixotic Opera” at Pitney Meadows Community Farm. Following a series of scenes from operas inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote, the concert brought the audience on the adventures of nobleman Alonso Quizano who became a knight to serve his nation under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. Lead by musical director Laurie Rogers, it featured scenes from Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse (Boismortier / Favart), Die Hochzeit des Camacho (Mendelssohn / Voigts), Il furioso all’isola di San Domingo (Donizetti / Ferretti),  Don Quixote (Kienzl) and more.

    “Man of La Mancha”

    opera saratoga summer festival
    Via Opera Saratoga Official Site

    July 8th, 9th, and 10th will feature the 120 minute musical Man of La Mancha” at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Amphitheater. Written by Dale Wasserman, the Tony Award winning musical, which features Broadway and Opera star Zachary James in the lead role as Cervantes/Don Quixote, tells the story of Don Quixote with music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion. 

    “A universal tale of love, hope, and adventure, Man of La Mancha celebrates the perseverance of one man who refuses to relinquish his ideals, and who is determined to see life not as it is, but as it ought to be.” 

    Opera Saratoga Official Website

    “Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding”

    opera saratoga summer festival
    Via Opera Saratoga’s Official Site

    For lovers of more traditional classical music, Opera Saratoga will be presenting the 50 minute “Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Weddingwith twelve performances scheduled between July 14th and 18th. A one-act comic serenata, the performances will feature artists from Opera Saratoga’s Young Artist Program. Written by Georg Philipp Telemann with a libretto by Daniel Schiebeler, the concert incorporates an episode from Part Two of Don Quixote where the knight and his squire stumble upon unusual weddings while exploring the world.  

    Tickets for both the musical Man of La Mancha and the serenata Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding on Opera Saratoga’s website. Ensured audience safety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has limited tickets this season and Opera Saratoga anticipates that performances will sell out in advance of the show date. Advance ticket purchases are required for Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding and while not required for Man of La Mancha, they are strongly advised to ensure a spot at the special 60th anniversary performance.

  • Live Performances Return to SPAC with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

    The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is bringing back the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s residency making it the first series of live performances since 2020 for SPAC.

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center Logo Chamber Music Society SPAC

    The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is located in Saratoga Springs and has been around for over 50 years. Their first summer season hosted 21 shows over the span of four weeks. The center had performances from non-classical musicians over time including Harry Belafonte in 1967 and a record breaking performance from Grateful Dead in 1983. In 2014 the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center became SPAC’s third resident company.

    The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center developed when the president of the Lincoln Center at the time, William Schuman, wanted an organization dedicated to chamber music. It officially began in 1969 in the Alice Tully Hall. CMS started educational and developmental programs for young musicians. There are about 70 performances that take place outside of New York City and the country per season. They are a part of several residencies and even have their own record label.

    The Chamber Music Society residency at SPAC comes back this year after the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19. This season is from June 13 until August 29 featuring compositions from Beethoven’s string quartets and Schumann’s Piano quartet in E-flat major. The U.S premiere of Twelve Blocks by pianist Michael Brown is also a part of the agenda. The co-Artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han return along with the Calidore String Quartet’s SPAC debut.

    The series takes place at Pitney Meadows Community Farm which has large outdoor space for events. It will have a maximum capacity of 200 per performance and each performance is 75 minutes without an intermission. Socially distanced pods for two are provided for ticket buyers from the price of $100-120. Tickets for subscriptions to all six shows will be available on April 1 for SPAC members and April 6 for the general public. Single performance tickets are available on April 12 for SPAC members and April 16 for the general public and won’t be available at the door. Tickets can be purchased on SPAC’s website along with additional information regarding COVID-19 protocols.

    On your way to SPAC, don’t forget that Stewart’s Shops is your ice cream shop! With over 345 shops in 31 counties across New York and southern Vermont, the convenience store chain is known for their fresh &local dairy products. With dozens of choices at the cone counter, you’re bound to find something you love! Try a shake, sundae, or cone today,  What’s Your Flavor?