Music reverberates from seaside to showtime

By SHEILA BARTH

Essex County Newspapers

During the fall, the North Shore is alive with concerts ranging from zydeco to blue grass, symphonic and serious, doo-wop to jazzy.

On Sept. 14 and 15, Music at Eden's Edge presents a powerful, poetic musical program, featuring new compositions of New England composer Daniel J. Kennedy of Beverly, and the world premiere of his "At The Center of the Garden."

Kennedy's musical statement is about today's crazy times and life, invoking peacefulness amid the madness. Also appearing are guest artist Eric Rosenblith, internationally renowned violinist, and Hamilton guest artist Karen McConomy, playing the viola. On Sept. 14, the concert will be held at 8 p.m. at Hammond Castle Museum on Hesperus Avenue, Magnolia; call 978) 283-7673; and Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. at the King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead, call (781) 631-2608. Tickets cost $17.

On Oct. 13, at 8 p.m., Music at Eden's Edge performs compositions of Rossini, Delius, Ravel and Haydn at Abbot Hall, Washington Square, in Marblehead; and on Nov. 10, also at 8 p.m., music of Mozart, Britten, J.S. Bach and Prokofiev, featuring soloists Ray Bauwens, tenor, and Richard Menaul on the French horn.

Tickets cost $18 for general seating or $22 for preferred seating. Call (978) 745-4955.

Here's a sampling of more musical events:

At the Ipswich Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School at 136 High St., violinist Mark O'Connor, known as the "new Aaron Copland," performs Sept. 29; followed by the Persuasions, Oct. 6, an a cappella ensemble that, for the past 30 years, has wowed audiences with their versatility, harmonizing doo-wop, gospel, rhythm and blues and soft songs.

Then Symphony by the Sea plays chamber music there Oct. 14; Barachois, an Acadian-Cajun group performs zydeco Nov. 10, followed by the Savoy/Doucet Cajun Band, featuring accordionist Mark Savoy, guitarist-vocalist Ann Allen Savoy and fiddler Michael Doucet.

On Nov. 18, Bluegrass Sunday features Northern Lights, popular Ipswich-based group with Tom Sauber and Mark Graham of California and Vassar Clements, jazz fiddler.

For more information, call the box office at (978) 356-1949.

Symphony by the Sea, led by Jonathan McPhee, music director of the Boston Ballet, will play concerts Oct. 13 and Nov. 10 in Abbot Hall in Marblehead.

There's a huge musical lineup at Gordon College in Wenham this fall, starting with The Thompson Chamber Music Series Sept. 23 at 4 p.m.; a jazz ensemble concert on Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m., a college choir concert at 5:30 p.m., featuring music from the Renaissance to the 20th century, and James Jorgenson conducts the Gordon Symphony Orchestra, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m.

The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. David Rox, with guest conductor Gerald Dolan, features two ensembles playing marches of John Philip Sousa, J.F. Wagner and Charles Ives, and other patriotic songs, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m.

The Gordon College Chamber Singers perform "From Madrigals to Pop," Oct. 27, at 8 p.m.; the Jazz Ensemble, with the Coy Pond Piranhas, directed by Rox, play George Gershwin favorites and jazz in Latin, fusion, ballad and contemporary styles Nov. 12 at 8 p.m., then the symphony orchestra performs again Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.

On Dec. 2, the college presents its Advent Festival, "Shout the Glad Tidings," performed by he College Choir, the Children's Choir and members of the Gordon Symphony Orchestra, followed Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. with its Christmas gala, "Joy to the World," blending the Gordon College Choir, the Women's Choir, the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, ending with holiday favorites and a candlelight carol sing. Call Gordon College at (978) 927-2306, Ext. 3400.

Across the Beverly-Salem Bridge, at Salem State College, guitarist Charlie Farren, leader of the Farrenheit Band who performed with the Kinks, Sammy Hagar, Eddie Money, Jethro Tull, Peter Wolf and other luminaries, will perform Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m., in the Charlotte Forten Hall Library,. Admission to all concerts is $5; Salem State students and students under 18, free.

Also in the Charlotte Forten Hall Library, the Salem State College Chorus and Chamber Singers perform their Voices of Evening Concert, Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m, blending classical and jazz, featuring the works of such artists as Haydn, Mozart, and Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.

The college's Solstice and Celebration concert, Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. is performed in the Mainstage Auditorium on Lafayette Street, Salem, featuring an array of the college's musical ensembles, presenting an international lineup, from Gregorian chants, African songs, to European folk music and American popular music. For more information, call the Arts Hotline at (978) 542-6999.

Even Peabody-Essex Museum at East India Mall, Salem, swings into the fall season with song. There's a free harvest celebration family concert, "The Revels Circle of Song," Sunday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m., featuring 20 costumed singers and dancers, singing a cappella, playing instruments and leading a singalong.

Then Mike Palter and Lynne Jackson of Manchester-by-the-Sea perform a jazz soiree there, An Evening with Bing Crosby, Friday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m.

For a change of pace and flavor, Prasanna and Pravin Sitaram perform South Indian classical music Sunday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m., in the Phillips Library, Salem.

Call the museum for ticket information and prices, at (800) 745-4053, Ext. 3011.

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