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Sherman Chamber Ensemble
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Song to Symphony Event Draws Plenty of Support (PDF - The New Milford Times, Nov. 24, 2006)
Cellist Combines Composing and Performing to Reach Children (New York Times, Sep. 3, 2006)
A Little Summer Night's Music (New York Times, Jul. 29, 2006)
Sherman
Chamber Ensemble Concludes
Summer Season with Music for Strings and Woodwinds
The Sherman Chamber Ensemble’s 2010 summer classical concert series is finishing up with a flourish on September 3rd at St. Andrew’s Church in Kent and on September 4th at the Lake Mauweehoo Club in Sherman. SCE Artistic Director Eliot Bailen has assembled a large and talented group of string and woodwind players to present an exciting evening of music. Beethoven’s marvelous Septet will showcase the artistry of SCE regulars Jill Levy (violin), Sarah Adams (viola), Eliot Bailen (cello) and Peter Weitzner (bass), along with woodwind players Cynde Iverson (bassoon), Chris Komer (horn) and frequent SCE collaborator Alan Kay on clarinet. Flutist Susan Rotholz and oboist Jerry Reuter join the group for Nonet by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu, a work that blends the folk music of the composer’s homeland with a tribute to the classical style of Haydn. Finally, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer Samuel Barber with a performance of his Summer Music for woodwind quintet.
Sherman Chamber Ensemble concerts are performed Friday evenings in the intimate and acoustically excellent St. Andrew’s Church on Main Street in Kent, CT. Saturday evening performances take place in the rustic charm of the lakeside Mauweehoo Clubhouse on Leach Hollow Road in Sherman, CT. All performances start at 8:00 PM and are followed by a reception offering light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the performers.
Admission is $25 at the door ($20 for students and seniors). Advance reservations are strongly recommended and may be made by calling 860-355-5930 or by email at info@shermanchamberensemble.org. For Sherman concerts only, lawn tickets may be purchased the night of the concert for $10 (bring your own seating or beach blanket).
The Sherman Chamber Ensemble will also be found on Saturday, September 4th at 2:00 PM at the Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse in Sherman, CT and on Sunday the 5th at 1 PM at the Village Barn Shops in downtown Kent, CT, where it will present its annual free bluegrass jamborees, sponsored this year by Webster Bank.
Founded in 1983 to bring world-class live classical music performance to Western Connecticut, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble was recently described in The New York Times as "about as close as it gets to the Platonic ideal of a chamber music concert." Now in its 28th season, SCE offers a summer chamber music series, educational activities including the popular "Song to Symphony" residency at The Sherman School and elsewhere, and a year-round slate of musical events showcasing the best of live musical performance, from classical to bluegrass to jazz. Support for this season comes from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, Webster Bank, private foundations, local businesses and many generous individual donors.
Sherman
Chamber Ensemble Offers Free
Bluegrass Concerts Labor Day Weekend
Classical traditions give way to traditional classics as the Sherman Chamber Ensemble presents the annual SCE Bluegrass Jamborees on Saturday, September 4th at 2:00 PM at the Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse on Leach Hollow Road in Sherman, CT and on Sunday, September 5th at 1 PM at the Kent Village Barns in downtown Kent, CT. The Kent performance will take place outside on the lawn, and concertgoers should bring their own chairs or blankets. Adults as well as kids will enjoy this spirited program of new and old favorites in the bluegrass tradition.
Leading the musical fun is virtuoso fiddler Paul Woodiel. A three-time New England Fiddle Contest champion, Paul has taught traditional fiddle at Wesleyan University and tours as a fiddler with the Scottish dance band Local Hero. He is also busy as a classical violinist, a Broadway pit musician, and a studio player for the likes of the Dixie Chicks, so we are pleased to have him spend this last big weekend of the summer with us. Joining Paul will be SCE Artistic Director Eliot Bailen (trading in the cello for his first instrument, the guitar), Ensemble musicians Steve Gibbs on guitar, Susan Rotholz on flute and vocals and Peter Weitzner on bass, and a roster of talented area musicians including dulcimer master Rob Brereton, Jim Vogt on mandolin and Bob O’Connor on guitar. SCE’s bluegrass programs are dedicated to the memory of the late Kemp Mandeville, who brought the Sherman Chamber Ensemble’s multi-talented musicians together with his local playing partners to produce the 1st SCE bluegrass jamboree ten years ago.
Special thanks to the Kent Village Barn Shops for providing a great location for our Kent performances, and to Webster Bank for sponsoring these entertaining family musical events. Admission is free, and no reservations are required. Call the Sherman Chamber Ensemble at 860-355-5930 for more information.
“Live at the Lake” Coffeehouse Returns September 10th
It has become one of Sherman’s most popular events, and you won’t want to miss this year’s 8th annual “Live at the Lake” coffeehouse on Friday, September 10th at the Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse in Sherman (please note change from originally schedule September 12th date). Join the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and the Lake Mauweehoo Association, as we recreate the look, feel and, most importantly, the sound of a coffeehouse of the 1960s and 1970s. Featured musicians include SCE Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, who will trade in his cello for the guitar, and the talented vocalist and guitar player Bob O’Connor, who will team up to play songs you know and love from the likes of James Taylor, The Beatles, Paul Simon and more. Drummer Chris Parker, guitarist Paul McCormack and Pierre Piscitelli on keyboards will lend their talents as well. Popular local singer/songwriter Don Lowe will perform some of his original compositions that continue the fine ‘60s and ‘70s folk and blues traditions. Also appearing will be Potter’s Field, featuring Sherman School’s own Steve Trinchillo and Adam Carley, along with Janet Taylor. The Bailen Brothers Band and other special guests will round out the roster. So get ready to celebrate the end of summer with a musical evening worthy of the Summer of Love – tie dye optional!
The admission charge is also reminiscent of the 1960s and ‘70s – only $10 per person for adults (no charge for kids under 12). Reservations are not required, but seating is limited so plan to arrive early. Proceeds from this event support the activities of the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and help preserve the charming Mauweehoo Clubhouse.
Doors will open at 7:00 PM, and the music starts at 8:00. Come early and bring your dinner. Munchies, dessert and soft drinks will be served – bring your own wine, beer, etc. Call the Sherman Chamber Ensemble at 860-355-5930 for more information.