Friday, April 5th: the GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION presents ‘MASTERPIECE,’ an a cappella concert by the SKYLARK VOCAL ENSEMBLE

April 3, 2019April 4, 2019 ~ chasnaz

The internationally acclaimed a cappella choir Skylark will perform a program called ‘Masterpiece’ at 7:00pm with a 6:00pm pre-concert talk on Friday, April 5th in the historic (1806) Gloucester Meetinghouse at the corner of Middle and Church Streets. A reception to celebrate the performers follows the concert.

Over the centuries, art has inspired music, and music has inspired art. In this innovative multi-faceted program, Skylark will offer musical reflections and reactions to the visual arts from the ancient to the modern.

Skylark’s program will pair a specific piece of art with a particular musical composition from the same time period. Beginning with watercolors and music by Felix Mendelssohn and Hugo Alfvén, the program will progress through the impressionists Renoir and Monet – paired with music by Ravel and Debussy – to art and music of good friends Pablo Picasso and Francis Poulenc.

From Picasso, Skylark will introduce audiences to the work of Adolf Wölfli, from the Art Brut style. Wölfli was a prolific artist during his long residence in the Waldau Clinic, a psychiatric hospital in Bern – Skylark will pair his art with Wiegen-Lied, music by Per Nørgård, and lyrics by Adolf Wölfli.

Contemporary composer James MacMillan’s beautiful The Gallant Weaver recalls elegant Celtic knot work designs found in the Book of Kells.

Skylark was nominated this year for 2 Grammy Awards and is known for a sublime blend of classically trained voices with perfect pitch, exquisite dynamics and a broad range of repertoire.

This is Skylark’s debut performance in the Gloucester Meetinghouse, offering North Shore music lover’s a top-tier concert choir experience close to home. Comprised of some of the most distinguished classical vocal soloists from around the country, Skylark’s singers have joined together to create a tour de force a cappella ensemble that thrills audiences with their dynamic range, rhythmic prowess, and sheer beauty of sound.

Tickets available at the door and online at

http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Preferred $45

General $30

Students $10 with ID

12 & Under Free

No one turned away for lack of funds; just ask at the entrance desk. Note: side entrance with elevator available at 10 Church Street.

Skylark has quickly become one of the premier recording choirs in the United States, earning accolades from critics at home and abroad, including Gramophone, Classics Today, the BBC, and Limelight Magazine (Australia). Skylark’s most recent three recordings have all placed in the top 10 of the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart. Award-winning CDs include ‘Forgotten Dreams’ (2014), ‘Crossing Over’ (2016), ‘Winter’s Night’ (2017), and ‘Seven Words from the Cross (2018).

Please join us for this rare musical feast!

Gloucester’s 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration – a festive community event!

January 13, 2019 ~ chasnaz

Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation

Monday, January 21^st 2019, 2:00-6:00pm

In the historic (1806) Gloucester Meetinghouse (Unitarian Universalist Church)

Corner of Middle and Church Street

This is a free community event and all are welcome!

Free-will contributions to the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation towards the ongoing preservation of the building are requested. Memberships, mugs, caps, totes, shirts and refreshments available.

Gloucester’s 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration: an afternoon of presentations honoring Dr. King about African-American History including Sandra Ronan, Stephanie Buck, live music by Alvin Foster and his band Soul Eclectic, and Keynote Speaker award-winning filmmaker/journalist Clennon L. King on MLK’s Boston years, followed by audio of Martin Luther King, Jr. accompanied by a slide show. Audience invited to ring the Paul Revere bell at the conclusion for freedom.

More info at: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

SCHEDULE

2:00-2:15 Introduction: ‘Why Are We Here? Sandra Ronan

2:15-2:45 ‘Shadowed Lives,’ Effects of Slavery on Cape Ann Stephanie Buck

2:45-3:00 Break with Refreshments

3:00-3:45 Alvin Foster and his band Soul Eclectic, music that underpinned Black people’s courage to be happy and celebrate life, love, spirituality and growth in the face of racism

3:45-4:00 Break with Refreshments

4:00-5:00 Keynote Speaker: Clennon L. King, ‘MLK’S Boston Years’ The award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Clennon L. King will present a slideshow, focusing on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s movements in Boston and New England, from the fall of 1951 to the spring of 1954, to be followed by Q&A with the audience

5:00-5:15 Break with Refreshments

5:15-6:00 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” accompanied by a slide show of period and present-day images

Conclusion: Audience invited to join in ringing the Paul Revere Bell for freedom

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CLENNON L. KING ON ‘MLK’S BOSTON YEARS’

A Filmmaker’s Granular Look at Dr. & Mrs. King’s New England Years a lasered look at the little-known years Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott spent in Boston and New England. Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Clennon L. King, will present a slideshow, focusing on the Kings’ movements in Boston and New England, from the fall of 1951 to the spring of 1954.

“Americans know all about Dr. King relative to places like Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery, Washington, D.C. and Memphis, but virtually nothing about his time in Boston,” said Clennon L. King, (no relation) whose father was a lawyer for Dr. King in the Historic Albany Movement. “This slideshow seeks to fill in the blanks.” Clennon L. King will present the compelling PowerPoint® slideshow to audience, before leading a spirited conversation and Q&A with the audience.

Clennon L. King writes, “In a city as historic as Boston, there are few signs that Martin Luther King, Jr. lived, worked and played here before heading to Montgomery to the world stage,” said the Boston-based filmmaker. “My goal was to reconstruct his time here before it is lost to history forever.”

Clennon L. King’s 45-minute slideshow and discussion program is entitled “MLK’s Boston Years”, and was presented to MLK Boston, which plans to build a $5 million monument to Dr. and Mrs. King on the Boston Common. Boston’s NPR affiliate, WGBH 89.7 FM has twice interviewed King around his research on the Kings’ time in Boston. In April 2018, the filmmaker was featured on the Boston Edition of All Things Considered® with Barbara Howard, and in November 2018, he again was featured on ‘Under the Radar’ with Callie Crossley.

STEPHANIE BUCK: ‘SHADOWED LIVES’

Born and educated in England – degree from London University – married an American and moved to Gloucester in 1970 – became interested in local history through research on her house – which is just across the road from the Unitarian Universalist Church. She retired as Archivist/Librarian of the Cape Ann Museum last May after 14 years. The title of her presentation is “Shadowed Lives” – just skimming the surface of slavery on Cape Ann.

LOCATION, PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY

The Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Unitarian Universalist Church) is located on the green at the corner of Church and Middle Street. Event parking is allowed on the green and is available at other parking lots and on-street nearby in the Historic District. An elevator up to the Sanctuary level is available from the side entrance at 10 Church Street.

More info at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

GRAND FINALE, MOTOWN, SOUL, BLUES & JAZZ: ‘MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN,’ TONIGHT!

September 7, 2018 ~ chasnaz

Berklee School of Music Teacher and Vocalist: Alvin Foster and ‘Soul Eclectic’ will rock the Meetinghouse!

Free outdoor concert tonight, Friday, September 7th, 2018, 6:00pm, with food service by the Willow Rest for your picnicking pleasure, on the Green at the corner of Middle & Church Street.

Donations requested to benefit the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. Bring beach chairs, a blanket, a fleece or a sweater and maybe your favorite libation for this last summer festival concert.

Alvin’s band, Soul Eclectic, will take you on journey back to the 60s, 70s, and 80s with the soul music that underpinned Black people’s courage to be happy and celebrate life, love, spirituality and growth in the face of racism. While centered in Motown’s indelible catalog of music, Soul Eclectic also features and celebrates the artists that grew up alongside and after Motown.

Comprising of Alvin Foster on vocals, Tricia Reed on vocals, Oscar Brown III on guitar, Briana Washington on keyboard, Min Jae Yim on bass, and Jarrell Campbell on drums, the Soul Eclectic uses the timeless gems to deliver a fun and thoughtful musical experience.

In the greeting at 6:00pm Sponsors from the past 3 years will be recognized, whose gifts paid all expenses in advance, enabling 100% of your contributions go to our non-profit community partners. We will also recognize the festival Staff. Please be on hand to give them your applause and personal thanks.

As always, the 9th and last event is a benefit for your host organization, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. Our mission is to preserve the treasured 1806 historic building as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community center. Our goal is to complete the full building restoration in time for Gloucester’s 400th anniversary in 2023. Visit gloucestermeetinghouse.org for more details on our programs.

If the weather turns wet we dim the lights in the downstairs Vestry for a coffeehouse atmosphere with its fine stage and hold the event indoors. Thanks for your support and enthusiasm all through this summer.

This was the best year yet…we are already planning Music on Meetinghouse Green 2019…but don’t miss out on the grande finale of our 2018 festival season tonight!

CHILDREN’S CHOIR FESTIVAL IN GLOUCESTER!

February 7, 2018 ~ chasnaz

Children’s Choir Festival Makes First Gloucester Appearance on Sunday

Nearly three dozen young voices will be joined in song on Sunday, February 11th beginning at 4 p.m. in the 10^th annual Children’s Choir Festival. It will be held in the Sanctuary of the historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Street. This is a wonderful event for the whole family to enjoy!

The singers, ages 5 through 18, are from three Episcopal churches, St. John’s of Gloucester, Christ Church in Andover, and All Saints Church in Chelmsford, assembled to give them an opportunity to sing as part of a larger ensemble in a grand space with a bigger audience than their home choir situations permit.

The works will range from the famous Shaker Tune, “Simple Gifts,” through religious melodies, spirituals, and a work, ‘The Call of Wisdom,” written in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

The audience will be invited to join the combined choirs in singing “All Creatures of Our God and King and Beethoven’s “Hymn to Joy.” Prayers and scripture readings will be interspersed throughout the hour-long program. A reception will follow.

The Choir Festival dates back to 2009 but this is its first appearance in Gloucester. Mark Nelson, music director at St. John’s Church, said the Meetinghouse was chosen as the venue for its ample seating for over 300 persons, as well as its fine acoustics. Nelson will be joined in conducting by Barbara Bruns of the Andover church and Maggie Marshall of the Chelmsford Church.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Middle and Church Street. Parking is available on the green in front of the Meetinghouse, in the St. John’s Church lot at 33 Washington St., and in the municipal lot at nearby St. Peter’s Square, on Rogers Street. Access for persons with disabilities is from the side door at 10 Church St.

The event is being hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. Admission is free (donations gratefully accepted). More information is available at:

http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

http://www.facebook.com/gloucestermeetinghouse/

SECOND ANNUAL GLOUCESTER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY CELEBRATION

January 9, 2018 ~ chasnaz

WHAT: AN AFTERNOON OF PRESENTATIONS ON THE MLK HOLIDAY hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation

WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018, 2:00-5:30pm

WHERE: The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church) on Meetinghouse Green at the corner of Middle and Church Street. Accessible side entrance at 10 Church Street. Parking on the Green or next door at St. John’s Church.

PROGRAM:

Mary Ellen Lepionka, Cape Ann Algonquians’ fate after European colonization

Lise Breen, history of black leaders of the Abolitionist Movement

GWC Fish Tales, first-hand stories from refugees about the promise of America

Reverend Janet Parsons, accountability and where do we go from here?

Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken, commentary on cultural diversity

Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his final Christmas Sermon on interconnectedness

Closing, tolling of the Meetinghouse Paul Revere bell for freedom

WHAT’S SPECIAL? A rare opportunity to gather in community to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, learn about historical and present-day persons of color with diverse identities, initiatives to study the history of slavery on Cape Ann as well as the black leaders of the Abolitionist Movement and rededicate ourselves to the American creed that all persons are created equal. This is the 50^th anniversary of the tragic assassination of Dr. King, whose message on non-violence, opposition to war, drive to lift people of any ethnicity, country of origin or racial background out of poverty, and belief in the care of our natural environment is as relevant today as it was in the 60’s.

COST: FREE with voluntary donations, all welcome. Refreshments will be available.

MORE INFORMATION: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION: The mission of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is to preserve the 1806 landmark building, Gloucester’s last-surviving historic Meetinghouse, as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community action center.

RELATED MORNING EVENT: The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport holds its annual Peace March commemorating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in which members and friends gather at 9:30 am for sign making, followed by a march through downtown Rockport at 10:00 am, and gather after the march for hot cider and goodies, followed by a short worship service. For more information see: http://rockportuu.org/

‘FOLLOW THE STAR,’ performed by the The Musicians of the Old Post Road in the Gloucester Meetinghouse, Saturday December 16th at 7:30pm.

December 13, 2017 ~ chasnaz

Join us for a joyful celebration of the completed fire-sprinkler project with a magical Baroque chamber music concert!

We will thank the key civic grant sources and private individual donors to the sprinkler capital campaign; especially Linzee & Beth Coolidge who provided the initial and capping gifts that made it possible

The Musicians of the Old Post Road is a chamber ensemble based in the Boston area that specializes in the period instrument performance of dynamic and diverse music from the Baroque to early Romantic eras. Founded by Artistic Directors Suzanne Stumpf (flute) and Daniel Ryan (cello), the ensemble also includes Sarah Darling (violin & viola), Marcia Cassidy (viola), and Michael Bahmann (harpsichord).

‘Follow the Star’ is a program showcasing music written for Epiphany and shining a light on the Magi’s journey toward Bethlehem. This festive concert includes selections by Telemann, Geist, and a modern day revival of a cantata by Graupner. The ensemble is joined for this concert by distinguished vocal soloists: soprano Jessica Petrus, mezzo-soprano Catherine Hedberg, and tenor Jason Wang.

LOCATION: The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church), on the green at the corner of Church & Middle Street. Accessible side entrance with a lift at 10 Church Street, near the corner of Pine Street.

COST: $45 Preferred Seating (reserved front rows & rear gallery), $30 General, $25 College Students & Seniors (65+), under 17 free. Tickets may be purchased online at: