Upcoming Country, Folk & Ethnic
Mechanics Hall - St. Olaf Choir Concert
For more than a century, the St. Olaf Choir, conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong, has set the gold standard for choral singing, performing for millions around the world. Composed of 75 mixed voices, the St. Olaf Choir is hailed as one of the nation’s premier a cappella ensembles, renowned for its artistry and beauty of sound. The St. Olaf Choir was founded in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, whose work established the ensemble’s standard of excellence and its tradition of bringing music to audiences outside of campus. Christiansen chose spiritually profound music and pushed student musicians to perfect a tone that was disciplined, controlled, and free of excessive vibrato. That sound — securely in tune, controlled in pitch, smooth in delivery — became the choir’s hallmark. When Armstrong took the helm in 1990, his vast knowledge of music and his ability to articulate a vision to singers and audiences alike took the St. Olaf Choir to the next level, adding more flavor to its signature sound and further expanding its repertoire to include music of the Pacific Rim, Africa, and Latin America. Under Armstrong’s leadership, the choir continues to expand its touring horizons, engaging capacity audiences in major concert halls throughout the United States and worldwide. The ensemble has toured internationally 16 times. Most recently the St. Olaf Choir toured South Africa for three weeks in 2024, performing alongside Tuks Camerata, Quava Vocal Group, and other standout choral ensembles.
The Big Band Blast
The Big Band Blast will return to The Cabot to once again pay homage to the 1939 Big Band Battles at Carnegie Hall!
Masterfully crafted by Henley Douglas Jr. and band leaders Carlos Menezes Jr of BrassFed Nation and Brian Thomas and Alex Lee Clark of BT ALC Big Band, “Round Three” promises the return of two, twenty-piece orchestras side-by-side for an evening of high-energy trading and showmanship!
About BrassFed Nation
Founded by Carlos Menezes Jr. in 2013, BrassFed Nation is dedicated to the advancement of horn-driven music through exposure and outreach in both education and local musical culture! The collective features 4 unique ensembles; The Jambalaya Horns, Cape Ann Big Band, DubTone Beat, and the 13-Piece Brass-Fed Orchestra – all striving to inspire and connect musicians of all ages through private studio lessons, performances, workshops, and interactive clinics. In just a short span of time, the Cape Ann Big Band alone has become one of the most sought after ensembles in the North Shore and Greater Boston area.
About BT ALC Big Band
Since the group’s formation in 2011, BT ALC Big Band, led by trombonist Brian Thomas and trumpeter Alex Lee-Clark, has reshaped the depiction of the big band ensemble. By employing the traditional instrumentation of 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythms section reminiscent of Duke Ellington and Count Basie while infusing funk, soul and hip hop, BT ALC Big Band has created an undeniably unique sound they dub Big Band Funk.
Bull Run - Toronzo Cannon
Toronzo Cannon: “Among the most inspiring southpaws to ever pick up a six-string…Cannon shows the Windy City is not done teaching us about electric blues. He’s a real deal blueser, combining social commentary in his songs with heartfelt guitar playing topped off with killer vibrato.” - Guitar World
“I want my songs to be heard and experienced, not just listened to,” says cliché-defying, internationally beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon. With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon is on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene, and is known as one of the genre’s most creative artists. His sound is inspired by his heroes, including Hound Dog Taylor, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Albert King, Son Seals and Jimi Hendrix. On his third Alligator Records album, Shut Up And Play!, Cannon blazes his own path with 11 emotionally-charged originals. From serious to humorous, his imaginative songs are fueled by his powerful, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice.
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather is a new American indie family superduo consisting of two kids music luminaries – Brooklyn’s, longtime children’s music pioneer, Suzi Shelton and Filipina-American Little Miss Ann of Chicago. Individually, Suzi and Ann have each maintained a strong presence in the national kids music scene, performing with their own bands across the country and producing many award-winning albums on their own. For over a decade, these longtime friends have also been inspired to perform together regularly at esteemed venues including the Kids stage at Lollapalooza (Chicago), The Overture Center (Madison), Jewish Museum (NYC), and Wolftrap (DC) to name a few. Birds of a Feather released their hit Debut Album “Rock Together” in June and are loving performing for audiences throughout the country – including here at the Cabot!
TUSK: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Tusk has been criss-crossing the country since 2008 as The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute.
But of all the Fleetwood Mac tributes playing around the United States today, what exactly sets Tusk apart?
Is it more than five skilled professionals turned masters of their trade through decades of individual musical study, live performance, creative risk, and devotion to the art?
Is it more than their affection and respect for the Fleetwood Mac experience, an entity that continues to endure over 50 years of musical and cultural evolution?
Is it more than vocal similarities, common physical traits, or good costumes?
To be sure, one does not fare well in the tribute scene without displaying some or all of these characteristics. So what qualities does Tusk possess that can’t be learned, bought, or created simply from a desire to have them?
Chemistry. Synergy. Intuition.
The relationship among the five founding members of Tusk has a rich history that goes back more than four decades. Two met while playing Little League baseball. Two others met in middle school band and marched in lockstep through high school. All five have been playing music with one another over the years in various configurations of original bands, jam bands, singer-songwriter circles, and alternative rock groups. Time, trust, and close friendship have cultivated an intimate familiarity with each other’s musical nuances, shaping each performance with such precision that even the slightest variation, virtually imperceptible to all but the five musicians sharing the stage, is met with a wink and a nod, and usually an inside joke. Tusk is more than a band; they are a family.
Experience the wonder of a Tusk show for yourself.
Vista Philharmonic Orchestra – Music Without Boundaries
Piazzolla, Astor – Tangazo (Variations on Buenos Aires)
Villa-Lobos, Heitor – Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2 “The Little Train of Caipira”
Desenne, Paul – Concerto for 2 Flutes
Copland – El Salon Mexico
Special guests:
Robert Langevin, flute
Marco Granados, flute
We’re proud to present an evening of evocative impressions of Latin America with works from three composers you’ll recognize and one we’re proud to introduce this season. Venezuelan / American composer and cellist Paul Desenne, who passed away in 2023 at age 63, was a founding member of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra and resident composer for El Sistema. His 2013 Concerto for 2 Flutes will feature Robert Langevin, Principal Flute of the New York Philharmonic, and Marco Granados, one of the world’s leading flutists in Latin American music. The program opens with a lyrical, edgy work by Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla, followed by Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Bach-inspired representations of Brazilian life. We’ll finish the evening with American icon Aaron Copland, who infused Mexican folk music into his rousing work.
Clafin Hill Symphony - Human Spirit Sublime
Johann Strauss: Radetzky March
Richard Strauss: Death and Transfiguration
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5
The rich and elegant musical heritage of Imperial Vienna comes to life in our own beautiful, colonial Milford Town Hall Grand Ballroom as the CHSO returns to one of its most memorable readings from the first decade – Richard Strauss’s (German not Austrian!) sublime tone poem on the transfiguration of the Human Soul – dedicated to a longtime friend of the CHSO. Preluded by the charming and martial Radetzky March of Johann Strauss, the concert climaxes in what is sure to become one of the next greatest CHSO memorable nights – as the orchestra climbs to the pinnacle in a first-time performance of the supreme Viennese Romanticist Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony – considered to be one of THE Greatest works of the form.
Arlington Philharmonic - "Music from Spain"
A MID-WINTER CONCERT
“Music from Spain”
Carlos Surinach – Feria Magica
Juaquìn Rodrigo – Concierto Andaluz
featuring four guitarists:
Raley Beggs, Fred Springer, Ceili Connors, & Robby Brown
Manuel de Falla – Suites from “The Three-Cornered Hat”
Wellesley Symphony - "Celebrate the Symphony"
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Overture tba
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor
Groton Hill Jam Nights (4)
Friendly jams for friendly people, led by our fun faculty performers.
Music is a collaborative art form, bringing us together to listen, learn, and rip a few hot breaks. Join us as we open Groton Hill’s inspiring facilities to jammers from across the region. Pick your favorite genre and play, move from room to room, or just hang out with friends to listen over a pint. Jams will run every second Tuesday from September through June!
Ages 16+ welcome!