Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert Series 

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By Jerron Jorgensen
This fall, First Congregational Church of Granby celebrates the return of the Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert. The 2015-2016 concert season marks the second year honoring the memory of the series’ namesake, longtime Granby resident and inspirational music leader Barbara Crouse, by providing  audiences with a variety of enlightening and entertaining concerts ranging from Classical to Contemporary.
The series begins Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. with The Asylum Quartet. Featuring all recent alumni of the Hartt School, the critically acclaimed Asylum Quartet’s repertoire spans traditional, contemporary and globally-minded saxophone music. Lauded for their virtuosic and evocative interpretations, the Asylum Quartet has been featured on numerous concerts, conferences and media outlets including the 2015 Chamber Music America Conference and WNPR’s “Where We Live” with John Dankosky.
On Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. the concert series continues with The Alturas Duo in a special collaboration with award winning Hartford flutist and improviser Minta White. Blending South American and Baroque influences using the unusual combination of viola, guitar, and charango the Alturas Duo has performed in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. Their impressive résumé of recitals in the United States include highlights at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall and the Smithsonian Institute.
Finally, this year’s concert series will conclude on Saturday, Apr. 23, at 7 p.m. with the Sacred Choral Music Festival. First Church welcomes guest conductor and scholar Dr. Vernon Huff. Currently the Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at SUNY-Fredonia, Dr. Huff is among the country’s leading scholars on the music of William Dawson; and the development and evolution of African American spirituals. Featuring the choirs of First Congregational Church, South Congregational Church, and Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, this concert promises to be an exciting evening of lively choral music!
Performances are located in the sanctuary of First Congregational Church at 219 North Granby Road. Admission to all BCMCS concerts is free, with a free-will offering accepted at the door. Concerts are appropriate for all ages and are wheelchair accessible. For more information, please contact First Church at 860-653-4537 or visit www.FirstChurchGranby.org