
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
The Manship Artists Residency – Home