In April 2016, when Cotuit resident and former Cape Cod Symphony conductor,Royston Nash, passed away, the Library received numerous donations in his memory. As a way of honoring Mr. Nash and recognizing the generosity of those donors, we have decided to use those funds to put on an array of music-related events we're calling the Royston Nash Music Appreciation Series. This series is supported in part by grants from the Mid-Cape Cultural Council, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod and the Town of Barnstable's Kirkman Fund. We are absolutely thrilled that the Series is considered a valuable project by those in the community who support arts and culture.
The Series has come to an end, but we'll be continuing to have music programs under the Royston Nash name going forward.
Royston Nash Music Appreciation Series, Year 2 (2017/18):
The Conductor, the Orchestra and the Audience: A Shared Experience with Dr. John ClarkSaturday, January 13 @2:00 p.m.
In this presentation, Dr. John Clark will discuss both what an orchestra requires from its conductor--techniques such as baton control, balance and tempi--as well as what skills a player needs in order to be part of an orchestra. Dr. Clark will talk about some specific conductors, including his friend and colleague Royston Nash, and will play recordings of various ensembles. The talk will end with an audience question and answer period. WATCH THE TALK ON YOUTUBE Robin J. Miller: Jazz in the Art ClassTuesday, February 20 @2:00 p.m.
Robin J. Miller is a retired NYC teacher, artist, author, poet and public speaker. This slideshow highlights the history of jazz and the relationship that several master artists have with this style of music, including Faith Ringgold, Henri Matisse, William H. Johnson, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Romare Bearden. Visual imagery, poetry and a jazz performance on film create an exciting experience for the audience. Soundtrack for a RevolutionWednesday, February 28 @3:00 p.m.
PBS describes this documentary as "[t]he story of the American civil rights movement...told through its powerful music -- the freedom songs that protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in police wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. A unique mix of historical documentary and contemporary musical performance, the film features new performances by top artists including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, Andrew Young and dozens more." Topsy-Turvy (film)March 14 @3:00 p.m.
From Wikimedia: "Topsy-Turvy is a 1999 British musical drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh and stars Allan Corduner as Sir Arthur Sullivan and Jim Broadbent as W. S. Gilbert, along with Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville. The story concerns the 15-month period in 1884 and 1885 leading up to the premiere of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. The film focuses on the creative conflict between playwright and composer, and the decision by the two men to continue their partnership, which led to the creation of several more famous Savoy Operas between them." Royston Nash was the conductor of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1971-1979 and conducted the Mikado during that time--we chose to show this movie as a nod to his musical past! Alistair MoockMarch 24 @1:00 p.m.
It's kids' turn for some music appreciation! Alastair Moock is a 2013 GRAMMY Nominee, two-time Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Winner, recipient of the ASCAP Children’s Music Award, and has twice been voted by the Fids & Kamily Industry Critics’ Poll among the Top 3 Albums of the Year. Long one of Boston’s premier folk artists, Alastair turned his attention to family music after the birth of his twin daughters in 2006. The New York Times calls him “a Tom Waits for kids” and The Boston Globe declares that, “in the footsteps of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, Alastair Moock makes real kids music that parents can actually enjoy.” Moock and Friends’ live shows are rowdy, rootsy, singin’ and dancin’ fun for the whole family! A Night at the Opera (film)March 28 @3:00 p.m.
Considered by some to be the Marx Brothers' best movie, 1935's A Night at the Opera follows "A sly business manager and two wacky friends of two opera singers [who] help them achieve success while humiliating their stuffy and snobbish enemies." (IMDb.com). It's a musical comedy (naturally) that stars three out of the four brothers. Poetry & Perspectives in Song April 28 @6:00 p.m.
Celebrate National Poetry Month with some local artists who put their words to song. The original music of Kim Moberg, with Heather Swanson, "speaks to reunion, awakening and social consciousness." Out Late's Diana Di Gioia shares her own stories in songs both wistful and sassy, from her Vermont childhood and her self-proclaimed late coming-out. Still Willow is the duo of Kim Moberg and Ric Allendorf, and Out Late is the trio of Diana Di Gioia, Melody Masi and J Hagenbuckle. Stephanie Weaver - Excerpts from a Musical MenagerieSaturday, May 12 @ 2:00 p.m.
Cotuit Library is proud to host Cape Cod Conservatory Executive Director and concert pianist, Stephanie Weaver, as she plays us some excerpts from her upcoming family concerts with conductor John Yankee and The Falmouth Chamber Players Orchestra: A Musical Menagerie. Film: Lady Sings the BluesWednesday, May 16 @ 3:00 p.m.
From Wikipedia: "Lady Sings the Blues is a 1972 American biographical drama film directed by Sidney J. Furie about jazz singer Billie Holiday, loosely based on her 1956 autobiography which, in turn, took its title from one of Holiday's most popular songs. It was produced by Motown Productions for Paramount Pictures. Diana Ross portrayed Holiday, alongside a cast including Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan, and Scatman Crothers." Mini Jazz FestivalSaturday, June 9 @ 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 @ 4:00 & 5:30 p.m. Savor different styles of this American art form over the weekend, starting with the piano and drums of the Lee Donais Duo on Saturday and Kareem Sanjaghi Latin Jazz Group and Wicked Plus blues group on Sunday. Community Drum Circle with Cape Cod African Dance & DrumFriday, July 20 @ 3:30 p.m.
Experience an all-ages Community Drum Circle Workshop with Cape Cod African Dance and Drum. Learn simple rhythms on the djembe and dun dun drums and play together as an ensemble. The drum circle emphasizes community, self-expression and the joy of rhythm. Drums provided and no experience necessary. Drums provided. Bright Star Touring Theatre: American Tales and TunesWednesday, July 25 @ 2:00 p.m.
Bright Star Touring Theatre returns with a fantastic music program for kids Pre-K through 5th grade with American Tales & Tunes: “Folk songs and folktales from across America come to life in this music-filled adventure. We’ve delved deep into American literature from the Jack Tales of the Appalachian region to the fishing docks of New England and have created a vibrant and energetic show that seamlessly blends these fantastic regional stories with classic American folk songs like ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Shady Grove.’” (brightstartheatre.com) Campfire Sing-a-long Ropes BeachFriday, August 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sit around an actual campfire on the beach, singing songs with Lori Pilla. We'll have marshmallows, too, for this enjoyable, all-ages family program that is perfect for a summer's evening. Rain date is Mondday, August 6. Folk Songs and Folk TalesSaturday, August 18 @ 10:30 a.m.
Fanya and Amalie Wyrick-Flax, twin sisters and flute/clarinet duo, present a program of folk songs and folk tales featuring two beautifully illustrated books. Sing along to folk song "And The Green Grass Grew All Around" with Rachel Isadora's There Was A Tree, and explore a classic Brother's Grimm story with Brian Wildsmith's retelling of The Bremen Town Musicians. Children of all ages are welcome as we learn about wind instruments through these folk classics. This program comes courtesy of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. Documentary: Hecho en MexicoWednesday, September 19 @ 3:00 p.m.
"Director Duncan Bridgeman weaves a beautiful and rhythmic cinematic tapestry composed of original songs, conversations, reflections, wisdom and humor featuring many of the greatest performers and sharpest minds of Mexico today" (cultureunplugged.com). West African Kora Concert
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Royston Nash Music Appreciation Series, Year 1 (2016/17):
Classical Pianist Dr. Stephanie Emberley
Thursday, April 20 @4:00 p.m.
Dr. Stephanie A. Emberley began her classical piano training at the age of three and gave her first solo recital at the age of fifteen. She has enjoyed an active career as a soloist, collaborative pianist and teacher. Her performances have taken her throughout the United States, Canada, France and Australia and have given her the opportunity to play with pianists such as Lori Piitz, Barbara Lister-Sink, Eric Ruple and David Lehman. |
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"The Song of the Lark" Book Discussion with Anne SpeyerWed., May 31 @6:30 p.m.
South Dennis Library Director, Anne Speyer, will lead an in-depth discussion of Willa Cather's novel of a young singer at the turn of the 19th century. This novel is the second in Cather's Prairie Trilogy. (Image at right is a detail from Jules Adolphe Breton's painting of the same name.) |
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Kareem Sanjaghi & FriendsSunday, June 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
Drummer Kareem Sanjaghi, known for his 10-year association with trumpeter Lou Colombo, leads this exciting jazz group, who are returning after a standing-room-only performance last year. This performance will also feature Dennis Nobrega (vocals, clarinet, sax and flute), Ron Ormsby (bass) and pianist Bob Hayes (Cape Cod's longest gigging musician). The band will perform songs from the Great American Songbook including jazz, swing, and Latin favorites. |
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Campfire Sing-a-long Ropes BeachTuesday, July 11 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sit around an actual campfire on the beach, singing songs with Lori Pilla. We'll have marshmallows, too, for this enjoyable, all-ages family program that is perfect for a summer's evening. Rain date is Tuesday, July 18. |
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Musical Origins and the Stone Age Evolution of FlutesMon., August 14 @7:00 p.m.
Join Sensory Biologist and flute player, Jelle Atema, and composer Julian Lampert for this talk exploring the evolution of flutes. This event, part of the Royston Nash Music Appreciation Series, is courtesy of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. |
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Live Recording: Lou Colombo at Sturgis LibrarySunday, August 20 @2:00 p.m.
Join us to watch a recording of Lou Colombo and his band playing at Sturgis Library. Members of the original performers will be on hand to share their experiences of working with Lou and playing jazz on Cape Cod. |
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Mini Folk FestivalSaturday, September 30/Sunday, October 1
Fall is for folk music in our series, and we're starting our exploration with a mini festival of local and regional folk artists. Saturday at 4:00 p.m. is a family show with Davis Bates, who'll be giving hands-on opportunities to play the spoons! Saturday at 7:00 p.m. is Still Willow, the mostly acoustic singer-songwriter duo of Kim Moberg and Ric Allendorf. Sunday at 7:00 p.m. is Sparrow Blue, a fiddle and guitar songwriting duo. |
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Disturbing the Peace: The Protest Song from the 16th Century to Today, with Betsy SigginsSat., October 14 @3:00 p.m.
Our exploration of folk music continues with a lecture by FOLK New England founder, Betsy Siggins, who will present a history of the protest song throughout the ages, accompanied by Kim Moberg and Kathleen Healey, who will perform examples of this political art form. |
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