Gloucester Meetinghouse

NEWSFLASH! EXTRA CAPE ANN BIG BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT, SUNDAY DECEMBER 18TH!!!

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The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation welcomes the Cape Ann Big Band and guest vocalists in a magical evening of holiday music in the historic Gloucester Meetinghouse (Unitarian Universalist Church) on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets on Sunday, December 18th at 7:00pm.

This fantastic Big Band concert was just added to our schedule by popular demand!

Get into the spirit of the season with “A Big Band Holiday.” Their other holiday engagements are sold out, so don’t miss this very special opportunity!

Concertgoers of all ages will feel the joy of the season in this program featuring the signature sound of the Cape Ann Big Band that includes holiday favorites, hits from the golden era of big band swing, and a visit from the chief elf himself, Santa Claus.

The band will be joined by several guest vocalists well known to Cape Ann audiences. Joining in the musical celebration of the holidays will be Alexandra Grace, Emily Grace, Rhiannon Hurst, Scott Parisi, John Rockwell, Nathan Seavey, and the “TrebleHurst” trio. This unforgettable program will also feature a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” by Santa Claus.

This is an open seating event so come early! Doors will open at 6:15pm. General Admission $25, Students with ID $5, under 12 free. Tickets available at the door (unless we sell out!) or in advance on our website.  Parking is available on Meetinghouse green and nearby. For persons with physical challenges there is an elevator available at the 10 Church Street side entrance.

American Originals: A Moravian Christmas

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Musicians of the Old Post Road in the Gloucester Meetinghouse (Unitarian Universalist Church)

Candlelight Chamber Music Concert on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, 7:30pm

The Musicians of the Old Post Road will present their 6th holiday concert in the historic Gloucester Meetinghouse on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 7:30pm called “A Moravian Christmas.’

Founded by Artistic Directors Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan, the ensemble takes its name from its acclaimed concert series, originally entitled Old Post Road Historic Concerts.

“Musicians of the Old Post Road is a cleverly conceived and impeccably presented group of artists who render a great service in the realm of period performance. Through their scholarship, programming, and enthusiasm, they shine a light on a corner of the repertoire that is too often neglected.”

— Classical Voice of New England

Immerse yourself in beautiful music for the season by a unique 18th-century community. Experience modern-day premieres of works penned by America’s Moravian immigrants along with selections by Johann Joachim Quantz, Carl Heinrich Graun and Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (fifth son of J.S. Bach) that they carefully imported and preserved.  The ensemble performs on period instruments and will be joined by soprano Jessica Petrus and mezzo-soprano Hilary Anne Walker.

If you crave a respite from the hustle and bustle of holiday madness, give yourself and your friends the gift of exquisite chamber music by candlelight for Christmas in the warmth and Federal period elegance of Gloucester’s last-surviving Meetinghouse, built in 1806 for the first Universalist Society in America.

Preferred Seating $45, General $30, Students $10, Under 12 free

The Meetinghouse is located at 50 Middle Street, set back on the green. The accessible side entrance with a lift is located at 10 Church Street. Parking is available on the green and on nearby streets and lots. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance on our website: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

HALLOWEEN MOVIE SPECIAL: TWO FACES OF FRANKENSTEIN, AT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE

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Two scary silent movies with live accompaniment on the pipe organ, Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating the season of dark and windy nights, hobgoblins, and scary creatures, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents two landmark silent movies featuring the Frankenstein monster and accompanied by world-renowned sonic artist and organist Peter Krasinski.

The first movie is a short 1910 Thomas Edison photo-play, the first motion picture version of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. This silent movie features sophisticated special effects for its time. Unsuspecting audiences were dazzled when it was released. Now nearly 110 years old, this rarely-seen film continues to amaze audiences with its powerful visuals.

The second is the brilliant 1931 Frankenstein movie that launched Boris Karloff’s career as the famed monster. The film had no musical score, creating the perfect opportunity for improvised accompaniment by a virtuoso on the pipe organ like Peter Krasinski. Karloff’s rendition of Frankenstein is a classic horror film, scaring and delighting family audiences for over 90 years.

Peter Krasinski returns to Gloucester this year to work his improvisational magic on the historic Meetinghouse’s sonorous 1893 Hutchings/Fisk pipe organ. Known as a sonic artist and maestro of the pipe organ, Krasinski tours all over the world performing with classic silent movies. The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is grateful to our 2019-20 Autumn/Winter/Spring sponsors who have made this series possible.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Unitarian Universalist Church, is located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets. The event is handicapped accessible via the side door at 10 Church Street. Parking is available on the green, on-street and at additional parking lots nearby in the Historic District.

Tickets are $20 Adults, $10 Students, 12 & under free.

Tickets are available at the door or online with more info at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org