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Concerts
Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm
Outside Phantom Theater Edgcomb Barn, 970 Dump Rd., Warren
Please feel free to bring your own blankets and chairs.
[Rain venue: Inside Phantom Theater*]
This concert is presented in partnership with Friends of the Mad River.
Sunday, August 15 at 1 pm
Hubbard Park Tuning Forks Stage next to the Old Shelter 400 Parkway St., Montpelier
Note: Parking is limited, carpooling/walking is encouraged.
Please feel free to bring your own blankets and chairs.
[Rain venue: Vermont College of Fine Arts Chapel, 36 College St, Montpelier*]
*Due to continuing changes in the Covid-19 situation, all patrons will be required to wear masks if and when indoors. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm
Outside Phantom Theater Edgcomb Barn, 970 Dump Rd., Warren
Please feel free to bring your own blankets and chairs.
[Rain venue: Inside Phantom Theater*]
This concert is presented in partnership with Friends of the Mad River.
Sunday, August 15 at 1 pm
Hubbard Park Tuning Forks Stage next to the Old Shelter 400 Parkway St., Montpelier
Note: Parking is limited, carpooling/walking is encouraged.
Please feel free to bring your own blankets and chairs.
[Rain venue: Vermont College of Fine Arts Chapel, 36 College St, Montpelier*]
*Due to continuing changes in the Covid-19 situation, all patrons will be required to wear masks if and when indoors. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
| Watershed Program |
Scrag concerts are "Come as you are. Pay what you can." Beginning this season, patrons are encouraged to purchase "Pay What You Can Tickets" in advance at the link above or by contacting us at [email protected] or (802) 377-3161 M-F 9 am - 5 pm. Tickets will also be available at the door, space permitting.
About
We are thrilled to resume our in-person programming for a special program that celebrates and pays heed to the movement of water around us. The concert features celebrated Abenaki singer-songwriter Bryan Blanchette performing his original heartfelt songs inspired by water, accompanied by string quintet. Sung in both Abenaki and English, Bryan's music is deeply connected to the Earth and Water which has been home to the Abenaki people for over 10,000 years. We also welcome back the acclaimed Aeolus Quartet for the World Premiere of Evan Premo's My River Runs to Thee for string quartet, double bass, and soprano with text by Emily Dickinson and Joan Tower's String Quartet No. 5 White Water.
We are thrilled to resume our in-person programming for a special program that celebrates and pays heed to the movement of water around us. The concert features celebrated Abenaki singer-songwriter Bryan Blanchette performing his original heartfelt songs inspired by water, accompanied by string quintet. Sung in both Abenaki and English, Bryan's music is deeply connected to the Earth and Water which has been home to the Abenaki people for over 10,000 years. We also welcome back the acclaimed Aeolus Quartet for the World Premiere of Evan Premo's My River Runs to Thee for string quartet, double bass, and soprano with text by Emily Dickinson and Joan Tower's String Quartet No. 5 White Water.
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Artists
Bryan Blanchette, Abenaki singer-songwriter Aeolus Quartet Nicholas Tavani, violin Rachel Shapiro, violin Caitlin Lynch, viola Schuyler Slack, cello Mary Bonhag, soprano Evan Premo, double bass |
Program
Bryan Blanchette original songs Evan Premo Quintet No. 1 My River Runs to Thee [World Premiere] Joan Tower String Quartet No. 5 White Water |
Video
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Listen to Scrag co-Artistic Director Evan Premo talk about this summer's Watershed program (beginning at 22'43'') and much more in this dynamic. conversation with artists from the Mad River Valley region.
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Evan Premo, double bass
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Artist Bios
Bryan Blanchette is a 21st century Abenaki artist. He brings 10,000 year old traditions into music and performance into a 21st century setting. A contemporary song may be sung in an Algonquian language, or a traditional pow wow song might be fused with a Euro American musicology. His music is the continuation of millenniums of music tradition of the land that flourished before America was America. Beautiful music and Abenaki heritage combine to create one of New England’s most original artists. Bryan plays multiple instruments, writes his own music and lyrics, and sings with a powerful, captivating Abenaki warrior voice. Bryan is a New England native and member of the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki tribe. He studied music at Berklee College of Music, began pow wow drumming in 1996, and writing Abenaki language songs in 1998. His group, The Blackhawk Singers, have performed internationally to critical acclaim and have released two CDs. Bryan currently lives in N’dakinna, the Abenaki homeland, Graniteville, Vermont.
The Aeolus Quartet is committed to presenting both time-seasoned masterworks and new cutting-edge works to widely diverse audiences with equal freshness, dedication, and fervor. The Aeolus Quartet has been awarded prizes at nearly every major competition in the United States and performed across the globe with showings "worthy of a major-league quartet" (Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News). They were the 2013-2015 Graduate Resident String Quartet at the Juilliard School, and they currently make their home in New York City. The Aeolus Quartet has released two critically acclaimed albums of classical and contemporary works through the Longhorn/Naxos label which are available on iTunes, Amazon, and major retailers worldwide. Part of an ongoing series entitled Many-Sided Music, these albums promote the diversity and breadth of works by American composers. The Aeolus Quartet’s numerous honors include Grand Prize at both the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition, as well as First Prize at the Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition. They were also prizewinners at the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition and the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in New England. The Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Reinberger Recital Hall at Severance Hall, The Library of Congress, Renwick Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center.
The “extraordinary” (Classical Voice N. America) soprano Mary Bonhag captivates audiences around the country with her “marvelous versatility” and “supple, expressive” voice (San Antonio News). As a new music specialist, Mary was featured on Resonant Bodies Festival and has sung with 21st Century Consort and San Francisco Contemporary Players. She has premiered or commissioned works by Lembit Beecher, Susan Botti, Evan Premo, Shawn Jaeger, Eliza Brown, Evan Chambers, and C. Curtis Smith. In demand from Carnegie Hall to rustic barns, Mary connects with audiences, drawing them deeply into the music. She frequently performs with Aizuri Quartet, Aeolus Quartet, Decoda, Spektral Quartet and has been featured across the country at chamber music festivals including Cactus Pear (TX), Five Boroughs Festival, Stanford Live, and Yellow Barn. She is co-Artistic Director of Scrag Mountain Music with her husband, composer/double bassist Evan Premo. Mary has presented thought provoking art song recitals at Dartmouth, Smith, Goucher Colleges, and the University of Vermont. She attended SongFest and Tanglewood, where she received the Grace B. Jackson Prize. Mary has been featured on the NPR show Performance Today and appears on Albany Records.
Double Bassist / Composer Evan Premo creates heart-centered music that inspires audiences and musicians alike. His music has been commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra, River Town Duo, Owen Dalby, the International Society of Bassists, Diana Gannett, Paul Dwyer, The Pine Mountain Music Festival, Capitol City Concerts, and the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. Evan is a member of Decoda with which he has performed in residencies around the world including four he led in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As a member of Ensemble Connect, Evan has performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall and participated in residencies in Spain and Germany. As a chamber musician, he has performed at summer music festivals throughout the country and has been featured on National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Evan recently took part in the New Music on the Point summer festival in Leicester, Vermont and is actively involved with the Community Engagement Lab, working with local Vermont students to create new music. Evan resides in Vermont where he is active teaching and performing and is Founder co-Artistic Director of Scrag Mountain Music with his wife, soprano Mary Bonhag. He is also Founder and Artistic Director of Beethoven and Banjos, a residency that brings together folk and classical musicians for cross-genre concerts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Bryan Blanchette is a 21st century Abenaki artist. He brings 10,000 year old traditions into music and performance into a 21st century setting. A contemporary song may be sung in an Algonquian language, or a traditional pow wow song might be fused with a Euro American musicology. His music is the continuation of millenniums of music tradition of the land that flourished before America was America. Beautiful music and Abenaki heritage combine to create one of New England’s most original artists. Bryan plays multiple instruments, writes his own music and lyrics, and sings with a powerful, captivating Abenaki warrior voice. Bryan is a New England native and member of the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki tribe. He studied music at Berklee College of Music, began pow wow drumming in 1996, and writing Abenaki language songs in 1998. His group, The Blackhawk Singers, have performed internationally to critical acclaim and have released two CDs. Bryan currently lives in N’dakinna, the Abenaki homeland, Graniteville, Vermont.
The Aeolus Quartet is committed to presenting both time-seasoned masterworks and new cutting-edge works to widely diverse audiences with equal freshness, dedication, and fervor. The Aeolus Quartet has been awarded prizes at nearly every major competition in the United States and performed across the globe with showings "worthy of a major-league quartet" (Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News). They were the 2013-2015 Graduate Resident String Quartet at the Juilliard School, and they currently make their home in New York City. The Aeolus Quartet has released two critically acclaimed albums of classical and contemporary works through the Longhorn/Naxos label which are available on iTunes, Amazon, and major retailers worldwide. Part of an ongoing series entitled Many-Sided Music, these albums promote the diversity and breadth of works by American composers. The Aeolus Quartet’s numerous honors include Grand Prize at both the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition, as well as First Prize at the Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition. They were also prizewinners at the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition and the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in New England. The Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Reinberger Recital Hall at Severance Hall, The Library of Congress, Renwick Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center.
The “extraordinary” (Classical Voice N. America) soprano Mary Bonhag captivates audiences around the country with her “marvelous versatility” and “supple, expressive” voice (San Antonio News). As a new music specialist, Mary was featured on Resonant Bodies Festival and has sung with 21st Century Consort and San Francisco Contemporary Players. She has premiered or commissioned works by Lembit Beecher, Susan Botti, Evan Premo, Shawn Jaeger, Eliza Brown, Evan Chambers, and C. Curtis Smith. In demand from Carnegie Hall to rustic barns, Mary connects with audiences, drawing them deeply into the music. She frequently performs with Aizuri Quartet, Aeolus Quartet, Decoda, Spektral Quartet and has been featured across the country at chamber music festivals including Cactus Pear (TX), Five Boroughs Festival, Stanford Live, and Yellow Barn. She is co-Artistic Director of Scrag Mountain Music with her husband, composer/double bassist Evan Premo. Mary has presented thought provoking art song recitals at Dartmouth, Smith, Goucher Colleges, and the University of Vermont. She attended SongFest and Tanglewood, where she received the Grace B. Jackson Prize. Mary has been featured on the NPR show Performance Today and appears on Albany Records.
Double Bassist / Composer Evan Premo creates heart-centered music that inspires audiences and musicians alike. His music has been commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra, River Town Duo, Owen Dalby, the International Society of Bassists, Diana Gannett, Paul Dwyer, The Pine Mountain Music Festival, Capitol City Concerts, and the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. Evan is a member of Decoda with which he has performed in residencies around the world including four he led in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As a member of Ensemble Connect, Evan has performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall and participated in residencies in Spain and Germany. As a chamber musician, he has performed at summer music festivals throughout the country and has been featured on National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Evan recently took part in the New Music on the Point summer festival in Leicester, Vermont and is actively involved with the Community Engagement Lab, working with local Vermont students to create new music. Evan resides in Vermont where he is active teaching and performing and is Founder co-Artistic Director of Scrag Mountain Music with his wife, soprano Mary Bonhag. He is also Founder and Artistic Director of Beethoven and Banjos, a residency that brings together folk and classical musicians for cross-genre concerts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The Warren Watershed concert is presented in partnership with Friends of the Mad River with support from the Warren Arts Committee.
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The Montpelier Watershed concert is supported by the Donofrio Family.
Caitlyn Lynch's residency is generously supported by Bette and Dean Premo.
Rachel Shapiro's residency is generously supported by an anonymous donor.
Caitlyn Lynch's residency is generously supported by Bette and Dean Premo.
Rachel Shapiro's residency is generously supported by an anonymous donor.
The Stages in the Sun initiative is a partnership between the Vermont Recreation & Parks Association, the Vermont Arts Council, and the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, to promote two of the best things Vermont has to offer: incredible artists and the great outdoors. We thank the Vermont Community Foundation for their donation to help sponsor this and other Stages in the Sun events through a Covid-19 Response Grant. Please check out the Stages in the Sun calendar online at vermontvacation.com find more great outdoors arts events
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Special thanks to Hunger Mountain Coop for their support of the Watershed Residency.
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Photos: Mary Bonhag and Evan Premo (c) Ember Photo