GUILFORD -- Friends of Music at Guilford announces the series of programs for 2012-13, its 47th season. The annual Labor Day Weekend Festival, one of its signature events, officially launches each season.
On Saturday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m., guest organist Clark Anderson will play an all-Handel program on the Guilford Tracker Organ at the Organ Barn off Packer Corners Road, aided by the Guilford Chamber Players.
On Sunday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m., Ken Olsson conducts the Guilford Festival Orchestra and soprano Kristen Carmichael-Bowers on the lawn outside the barn in a program of works by Delius and Debussy, in celebration of their 150th anniversaries, as well as works by Handel, Haydn, Hecker and Mozart. The grounds open at noon for picnickers and lunch sales; in case of rain or serious threat, the event moves to the Guilford Central School. Admission to these festival concerts is by donation.
The 42nd annual Community Messiah Sing is set for 1 p.m. in Brattleboro’s Centre Congregational Church on Saturday, Dec. 1. Anderson conducts soloists and audience in the Christmas portion of Handel’s "Messiah," with Christian Huebner as organist. Door donations go to Morningside Shelter and the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center.
The 40th annual Christmas at Christ Church program is themed this year as "Christmas Cometh Caroling," with the Guilford Chamber Singers performing many of Alfred Burt’s set of 15 carols
The fourth annual Women in Music Celebration is set at a private home in the area on Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m. A program of works by women composers of the past and present is performed by Guilford Chamber Players and guest artists to be announced. This gala benefit covers a mix of musical and gastronomic delights for a suggested donation of $35 per person.
Friends of Music’s fifth annual Spring Organ Recital & Barbecue is on Sunday, May 26, at 3 p.m. in the Organ Barn. The c. 1897 Guilford Tracker Organ is played by a guest organist in a varied program of solo and chamber repertoire. A Memorial Day Weekend barbecue follows. Tickets at $15 for the concert, $25 for concert and barbecue, help offset expenses for the Labor Day Weekend Festival at the Barn.
The season concludes at 7:30 on June 8 with "A Cappella à la Carte" at the Guilford Community Church, a program of music for unaccompanied voices by regional ensembles. The concert is preceded by Friends of Music’s annual membership meeting at 6 p.m., and a community potluck at 6:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.
In addition to these events, Friends of Music sponsors two outreach programs. The Guilford School Music Enrichment Program provides musicians’ residencies at the school; the program has partial support with a grant from the Max Y. Seaton Trust, as well as a Spaghetti Supper fundraiser held at the school and other efforts. The world music group Ensemble Datura returns for a three-day residency and public performance.
Finally, Friends of Music’s Concert Series for Seniors brings local musicians to perform at senior centers and elder residences in the area.
Friends of Music at Guilford is a nonprofit arts organization. Its 47th season is supported in part by Entergy Vermont Yankee and by many local businesses.
For more information, visit www.fomag.org. To request a calendar brochure, e-mail office@fomag.org or call 802-254-3600.
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