The Great Marsh Concert

Representing a collaboration between the Artists for the Great Marsh* and the Manship Artists Residency, the genesis of this concert began with the commission of “Great Marsh Songs” as a vehicle to bring attention to the importance, beauty, and fragility of the Great Marsh. Manship Artist Composer-in-Residence LJ White spent a year visiting our coast and connecting with locals to create a collection of songs for youth voices and piano with librettist Caroline Harvey. Local choristers were conducted by Rebecca Kenneally of Endicott College, including members of her Endicott College Choir and Rockport Public School choruses. The latter were rehearsed by Patti Pike. Christopher Lawnsby served as the pianist throughout the project. The “Great Marsh Songs” premiered at the Shalin Liu Performance Center during the Great Marsh Concert on March 7, 2023.


The Great Marsh Concert program included two other compositions with the theme of the Great Marsh, including the Robert Honstein’s “Great Marsh,” a string quartet which premiered in 2016 at Music at Eden’s Edge, and a new piece by Gloucester composer Robert Bradshaw, “On the River: Jones Creek Salt Marsh,” which was performed by a piano quintet and accompanied by the composer’s stunning visuals. Bradshaw offered his composition in celebration of Gloucester’s 400th Anniversary. Cellist Jacques Lee Wood lead the string quartet.


VIDEO OUTLINE

A. Introduction with Peter Van Demark

B. “Great Marsh,” four-movement composition by Robert Honstein

1 – Salt Hay

2 – Mudflats

3 – Seaside Sparrows

4 – Estuary

Performed by

Alyssa Wang, violin 1

Kiyoshi Hayashi, violin 2

Beste Tiknaz Modiri, viola

Jacques Lee Wood, cello

C. “On the River: Jones Creek Salt Marsh,” four-movement composition and visuals by Robert

Bradshaw

1 – Sunrise

2 – Sparkles

3 – Swimming, Fishing, and Soaring

4 – Season’s End

Performed by

Alyssa Wang, violin 1

Kiyoshi Hayashi, violin 2

Beste Tiknaz Modiri, viola

Jacques Lee Wood, cello

Miki Sawada, piano

D. Introductions and comments by the Chair of the Performing Arts Department

Choral/Musical Theater Director at Endicott College and “Great Marsh Songs” conductor

Rebecca Kenneally, Rockport Public School Music Director Patti Pike, composer LJ White,

and librettist Caroline Harvey

E. “Great Marsh Songs,” composed by LJ White with librettist Caroline Harvey

I – The Storm’s A-Coming

II – A Fortune of Bad Blood

III – The Salt Marsh-y Sparrow

IV – Patricia’s Meditation

V – This Mess We Made

Performed by

Rockport Middle and High School Choirs

The Endicott College Singers

Christopher Lawnsby, piano


ABOUT ARTISTS FOR THE GREAT MARSH

“Artists for the Great Marsh” is an organization with a continuing artistic focus on the whole Great Marsh, including painting, sculpture, photography, music, video, dance, prose, poetry, theater, and any other creative endeavors, to bring attention to the importance, beauty, and fragility of the Great Marsh, because climate change is accelerating the damage to our coastal resources. Visit artistsforthegreatmarsh.org for more information about this initiative.


Film Created by Lisa Smith

Concert Sound Recording by Tom Stephenson

Concert Video Recording by Luke Damrosch and Lisa Smith

Film Distributed by Ken Kinna/B-Roll Films for Manship Artists Residency


The film is Copy Written 2023 by Artists for the Great Marsh, Manship Artists Residency, and the composers. The film can only be used by permission. However, all viewers are able to link, share, and comment on the concert. Organizations including all educational programs associated with this work are also enabled to embed the video in other websites to help support the celebration and conservation of the Great Marsh.


Concert patrons and corporate sponsors include:

Peter & Kathleen Van Demark Donor Advised Fund

Bruce J. Anderson Foundation

Dr. Kathleen Van Demark

The Prometheus Circle of the Manship Artists Residency

Patricia & Michael Rosenblatt

Martha & John Fenton

Eileen & Joseph Mueller

Rockport Cultural Council

The Willow Rest

Stephen Lindo

Andrée Robert & Tom Burger

Janet & Irv Plotkin

Margaret & Chip Ziering

The Common Crow Natural Market

Carroll Steele Insurance

Cape Ann Savings Bank

Susanne Guyer & Thad Carpen

Doreen & James Hogle

 

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