The Monadnock region has a deep love for music of all kinds, and classical music is no exception! Excellent musicians with love for community outreach and teaching have set up their practices here. During a visit, take an evening or a matinee to be swept away by enchanting compositions in local churches, town halls, and arts venues.
A proud member of the chamber music appreciation club? Seek out a performance by Ashuelot Concerts. (Keene was known as Ashuelot in the local indigenous Abenaki Tribe language.) This small but mighty nonprofit brings the works of excellent composers to life through concerts, talks, and school performances, ensuring that the love of classical music lives on in future generations. Founded by two British musicians, Ashuelot Concerts will bring in internationally recognized musicians to play on local stages.
It may be surprising to learn that the Monadnock region is a music education destination! In Nelson, the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music’s summer program brings students of all ages from across the world. Enjoy dinner outdoors surrounded by mountainous rustic scenery before one of their summer concerts in the barn with the resident string quartet! Repertoire includes new and world music and pieces by lesser-known composers in addition to the core canon. During The Walden School’s summer intensive Young Musicians Program, visiting artists in residence guide students in improvising and composing original works. Attend concerts throughout the program to take in the artistic excellence of the students and faculty!
Monadnock Music takes chamber music out of traditional, “stuffy” atmospheres and presents in intimate and informal settings around the region. They often throw contemporary and world music, and even dance, into the mix. Don’t miss the free village concerts in the summer! With a similar mission of making quality concerts accessible and affordable, Electric Earth Concerts often collaborates with other art forms such as painting to enhance the healing and educational powers of chamber music. Latin, jazz, folk, and other genres will also make appearances in their programming!
The Monadnock region boasts many opportunities to hear choral music, including Monadnock Chorus and Grand Monadnock Youth Choir of Peterborough, The Keene Chorale, Zenith Ensemble in Keene, and Chamber Singers of Keene. Some are professional, some semi-professional and auditioned, and some are open to all, regardless of experience or skill level. Each performs a variety of classics and contemporary compositions in the winter and spring.
Music on Norway Pond presents a series of about 5 concerts per year, often bringing high caliber postgraduate classical and jazz musicians from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. In addition, the organization coaches two local performing choirs: the women’s group of Norway Pond Festival Singers and children’s group the Junior Minstrels (AKA the Jr. Mints!) All adhere to their signature one-hour concert time with no intermission. Make the most of a visit to Hancock’s serene natural water feature by attending a performance at the Meeting House, First Congregational Church, or town green Common!
For staunch lovers of the standard canon and Baroque Era of classical music, the annual Viva Bach Peterborough festival in October is sure to impress. The 3-day affair of suites, concertos, and cantatas celebrates the music of Johann Sebastian Bach with Boston-area and local professionals, soloists, and choirs. With a mission to bring Bach’s music to all regardless of circumstance, the festival offers sliding scale tickets!
Tundi Productions perform concerts of Richard Wagner’s work that aim to speak to the depth of the human condition. hosts these performances that seek to Allow one of their deep and meaningful performances to encourage examination and reflection of the self and current values – The Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro! Tundi Productions also organizes the week-long Wagner in Vermont festival of performances and Wagner-related events in August!
