The seventh season of the Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series will open on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. with an exciting concert by saxophonist Tony Gibbs and pianist Benita Rose appearing as The Rose-Gibbs Duo. Prepare to be amazed by what happens when the supple and soulful sounds of a saxophone are married to the complex textures of the piano in pieces from the classical repertoire.
Tony Gibbs has received international acclaim as a classical saxophone soloist. As principal saxophonist of the U.S. Coast Guard Band, he has toured the world, performing for dignitaries (including three U.S. presidents) and with celebrities. He has been heard on National Public Radio as well as Radio Free Europe. Pianist Benita Rose has appeared as soloist with orchestras worldwide, playing concertos by Mozart, Liszt, Schumann and Gershwin, and has performed on Martin Goldsmith’s radio program Performance Today.
The next event will be the sixth annual Family Night at the Movies, on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at 7 p.m., with Jason Roberts returning to translate the comedy, drama and excitement of a classic silent film into music for the organ at South Congregational Church.
Two chamber ensembles will appear in the spring of 2019.
On Sunday, March 10, at 4 p.m., The Hartt Chamber Choir, an accomplished group of 24 singers, performs on this Series. Under the direction of Dr. Edward Bolkovac, the Hartt Chamber Choir is a highly-skilled auditioned chorus that sings works by composers such as Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Handel and Mozart, as well as works by contemporary composers. Chamber Choir members formed the core of the Hartt Tour Choir and have travelled to Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain and Italy.
The Primrose Fuller Professor of Choral Music at Hartt School of Music, Bolkovac is also the Music Director of the Schola Cantorum, a 20-voice professional chorus at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.
On Sunday, April 28, 2019, at 4 p.m., Les Amies de Théodore—a Baroque Ensemble will make its third appearance on the BPMMS, joined by guest lecturer Walter Mayo, who will provide cultural context for the music of the 17th and 18th centuries composers J.S. Bach, George Philip Telemann, Jean Philippe Rameau and François Couperin.
The Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series was founded in memory of Bruce Porter and his work as the choir director and organist at South Congregational Church. Thanks to a grant from the Granby Education Foundation and donations from supporters of the series, we are able to continue offering the concerts of classical music, jazz and our annual Family Night at the Movies.
Held in the sanctuary of South Congregational Church, at 242 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, and supported by the music ministry at the church, the concerts are wheelchair accessible. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 at the door to support the continuance of the series.
For more information please contact the South Church office at 860-653-7289 or visit the website at southchurchgranby.org/connect/music/bruce-porter-memorial-music-series