2016 Hop River Music Program!!

Friends and Music Lovers, can you believe that this is the 38th season in the life of the Hop River Chamber Music organization? Spring always brings thoughts of July and of the three concerts that will enrich our lives. We hope to see you at 7:30 p.m. on July 14, 21, & 28 at the First Congregational Church (UCC) on the corner of Route 6 and Long Hill Rd. in Andover.

The Board of Directors meets three times a year: in the fall to evaluate the summer concerts, and in February and April to plan for the next season. We are pleased to welcome Dan Warren, Andover resident and HR music enthusiast. He is working to strengthen a sense of community in Andover and believes that HRCM can be a part of that vision.

The Artistic Directors, Fran Bard, Gary Chapman and Barbara Vaughan, have made musical selections that you won’t want to miss! In addition to the core HR musicians, they will be joined by Scott Chaurette (bass), Laurel Thurman (violin), and Barbara Hopkins (flute).

To stimulate your musical palate, the first concert offers works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Astor Piazzolla and Antonın Dvořák. (Doesn’t Oblivion for Clarinet & Strings sound intriguing?) The musicians have been invited to perform this program at Covenant Village of Cromwell, an active retirement community. Its residents rival Andover audiences in their enthusiasm for HRCM performances.

The second concert will feature music of the Bach Family, including J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major and selected Preludes & Fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Sonata No. 5 in A minor for Flute & Continuo represents a stylistic departure from the music of his father, Johann Sebastian.

For the final concert, two pieces new to our audience will be performed. Overture on Hebrew Themes by Sergei Prokofiev and Trio for Clarinet, Violin & Piano by Eric Ewazen. Ending the season will be beloved music by Johannes Brahms, his Quintet in F Minor for Piano & Strings.

Great news about the Commissioning Project! A prominent composer has agreed to create a work to be premiered in 2018. To find out who it is, you’ll need to attend one of the July concerts.

It is essential that we receive your strong financial support through donations at the door — $10 is suggested — and philanthropic contributions of greater amounts. To make a contribution, please complete the form below, detach, and return it with your check payable to “Hop River Chamber Music”. Contributors whose checks are received by June 30 will be acknowledged in the program booklet. HRCM, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions to it are tax-deductible. Many Thanks!

I look forward to seeing you at our July concerts.

Carolyn Lester, President, Board of Directors