Season 18 || 2024-25
At its core, musiConnects is about holding space for the art of string playing - the daily rhythms of practice; the long-term personal growth fostered by the collaboration of teacher and student; and the vulnerability of performance - in Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. Every participant contributes to this space - from the youngest beginner first putting bow to string in Twinkle, Twinkle, to a quartet of Resident Musician teaching artists presenting a musical project in recital. Together, these musicians - of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels - will build Season 18, a celebration of string artistry in its many forms. On stages and street corners, in community gathering spaces and concert-focused recital halls, we'll explore centuries of music, join forces with remarkable guest artists, and - as always - hold space for celebration. See you soon.
Upcoming Events
Previous Events
SPRING RECITAL / STUDENT STAGE at BPL MATTAPAN
Our Spring Recital features student soloists, chamber groups, and our Resident Musician faculty - don't miss it! This event also serves as the official kick-off to our annual Performathon week!
Saturday, June 1, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
Our Spring Recital features student soloists, chamber groups, and our Resident Musician faculty - don't miss it! This event also serves as the official kick-off to our annual Performathon week!
Saturday, June 1, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
2024 Performathon POP-UPS
Our fourth-annual Performathon mobilizes ALL participants - Resident Musicians, teaching faculty, and students of all ages - in a week-long, outdoor performance festival throughout Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. The beauty of Performathon is its unannounced, pop-up nature - between June 1-9, you have a good chance of stumbling across a concert in Roslindale Village, Mattapan, or surrounding neighborhoods!
Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 9, 2024
Our fourth-annual Performathon mobilizes ALL participants - Resident Musicians, teaching faculty, and students of all ages - in a week-long, outdoor performance festival throughout Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. The beauty of Performathon is its unannounced, pop-up nature - between June 1-9, you have a good chance of stumbling across a concert in Roslindale Village, Mattapan, or surrounding neighborhoods!
Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 9, 2024
PERFORMATHON FINALE / SPRING ALL-PLAY at BOSTON NATURE CENTER
Our final event of season 17 wraps up Performathon week with student soloists, groups, and a concerto showcase. It's a joyous way to end the season and celebrate our students!
Sunday, June 9, 3:00pm, Boston Nature Center, Mattapan (free)
Our final event of season 17 wraps up Performathon week with student soloists, groups, and a concerto showcase. It's a joyous way to end the season and celebrate our students!
Sunday, June 9, 3:00pm, Boston Nature Center, Mattapan (free)
CHAMBER SERIES at BPL MATTAPAN
The spring installment of our chamber series brings our Resident Musician faculty back to BPL Mattapan for an intimate, welcoming recital featuring the world premiere of a new composition by Dina Shilleh.
Saturday, May 11, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
The spring installment of our chamber series brings our Resident Musician faculty back to BPL Mattapan for an intimate, welcoming recital featuring the world premiere of a new composition by Dina Shilleh.
Saturday, May 11, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
WINTER RECITAL / STUDENT STAGE at BPL MATTAPAN
Our Winter Recital features student soloists, chamber groups, and our Resident Musician faculty - see you there!
Saturday, March 23, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
Our Winter Recital features student soloists, chamber groups, and our Resident Musician faculty - see you there!
Saturday, March 23, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
CHAMBER SERIES at BPL MATTAPAN
We're glad to be back at the Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch for a chamber music recital featuring our faculty! musiConnects' faculty string quartet - including our newest Resident Musician, Jubilee Chen - offers a welcoming program curated by our violist extraordinaire, Maureen.
Saturday, February 3, 3:15pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
Sunday, February 4, 4:00pm, Workhub at the Substation (free)
We're glad to be back at the Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch for a chamber music recital featuring our faculty! musiConnects' faculty string quartet - including our newest Resident Musician, Jubilee Chen - offers a welcoming program curated by our violist extraordinaire, Maureen.
Saturday, February 3, 3:15pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
Sunday, February 4, 4:00pm, Workhub at the Substation (free)
FALL RECITAL / STUDENT STAGE at BPL MATTAPAN
Our Fall Recitals feature student soloists, chamber groups, and our Resident Musician faculty - don't miss them!
Saturday, December 2, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
Our Fall Recitals feature student soloists, chamber groups, and our Resident Musician faculty - don't miss them!
Saturday, December 2, 3:00pm, BPL Mattapan Branch (free)
FALL RECITAL / STUDENT STAGE at ROSLINDALE SUBSTATION
Saturday, December 9, 10:00am, Roslindale Substation (free)
Saturday, December 9, 10:00am, Roslindale Substation (free)
Performathon FINALE: Austice & Stand By Me at Boston Nature Center
Join us as we bring Performathon and the season to a close, with a joyful culminating event featuring student soloists, our trademark Stand By Me All-Play, and the world-premiere of Austice by our very-own Rachel Panitch. We are excited to be retuning to the beautiful Boston Nature Center for our celebration! Come for the music, but enjoy a stroll around the grounds.
Sunday, June 11, 4pm, Boston Nature Center, Mattapan (free)
Join us as we bring Performathon and the season to a close, with a joyful culminating event featuring student soloists, our trademark Stand By Me All-Play, and the world-premiere of Austice by our very-own Rachel Panitch. We are excited to be retuning to the beautiful Boston Nature Center for our celebration! Come for the music, but enjoy a stroll around the grounds.
Sunday, June 11, 4pm, Boston Nature Center, Mattapan (free)
Performathon POP-UPS
Our third-annual Performathon mobilizes ALL participants - Resident Musicians, teaching faculty, and students of all ages in our Residency Program & Roslindale Community Program - in a week-long, outdoor performance festival throughout Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. The beauty of Performathon is its unannounced, pop-up nature - between June 4-10, you have a good chance of stumbling across a concert in Roslindale Village or Mattapan! The schedule below will be updated throughout the week!
***Performathon 2023 is made possible by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.***
Our third-annual Performathon mobilizes ALL participants - Resident Musicians, teaching faculty, and students of all ages in our Residency Program & Roslindale Community Program - in a week-long, outdoor performance festival throughout Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. The beauty of Performathon is its unannounced, pop-up nature - between June 4-10, you have a good chance of stumbling across a concert in Roslindale Village or Mattapan! The schedule below will be updated throughout the week!
***Performathon 2023 is made possible by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.***
- Wednesday, June 7, 4pm - Ms. Lizzy's cello studio serenades passersby at the Jamaica Pond Boathouse.
- Wednesday, June 7, between 4:30-6:00pm - Ms. Rachel's studio pops-up on Birch St in Rozzie Square
- Thursday, June 8, 6pm - Ms. Maureen's studio visits the Stony Brook MBTA Amphitheater (Boylston Street, JP)
- + student-organized 1:1 concerts for neighbors, family members, and more!
Performathon KICK-OFF: Spring Solo Recital
mC students return to the stage to share their latest efforts in our spring trimester solo recital and kick-off this year's Performathon!
Saturday, June 3, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch (free)
mC students return to the stage to share their latest efforts in our spring trimester solo recital and kick-off this year's Performathon!
Saturday, June 3, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch (free)
mC² SHOWCASE / STUDENT STAGE
musiConnects’ 2nd annual mC² Showcase will see our peer leadership group present an inventive concert experience that features special contributions from some of our dear graduating seniors. Don’t miss it!
Sunday, May 28, 4pm, Rozzie Square Theater (free)
musiConnects’ 2nd annual mC² Showcase will see our peer leadership group present an inventive concert experience that features special contributions from some of our dear graduating seniors. Don’t miss it!
Sunday, May 28, 4pm, Rozzie Square Theater (free)
FACULTY/STUDENT RECITAL at BPL ROSLINDALE
We're glad to be back at the Boston Public Library's Roslindale Branch for a recital featuring our Resident Musicians - in works by Mozart, Berio, and Bartók - and student soloists of all ages.
Saturday, May 20, 12:30pm, BPL Roslindale Branch (free)
We're glad to be back at the Boston Public Library's Roslindale Branch for a recital featuring our Resident Musicians - in works by Mozart, Berio, and Bartók - and student soloists of all ages.
Saturday, May 20, 12:30pm, BPL Roslindale Branch (free)
FACULTY SHOWCASE
Our Resident Musicians are joined by special guest - and longtime mC team member - Elizabeth Stefan for a beautiful evening of chamber music at the gorgeous Roslindale Substation.
Tuesday, May 9, 7pm, Workhub at the Substation (free entry, donations encouraged)
Our Resident Musicians are joined by special guest - and longtime mC team member - Elizabeth Stefan for a beautiful evening of chamber music at the gorgeous Roslindale Substation.
Tuesday, May 9, 7pm, Workhub at the Substation (free entry, donations encouraged)
Winter Solo Recital
mC students will share their latest efforts in our winter trimester solo recital - all are welcome!
Saturday, March 11, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch
mC students will share their latest efforts in our winter trimester solo recital - all are welcome!
Saturday, March 11, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch
Aspirations and Sorrows - Recital in Collaboration with Castle of Our Skins
This special concert features the world-premiere performance of Joi Harper's Aspirations and Sorrows - a year-long collaboration between Castle of Our Skins and musiConnects' mC² cohort, as well as beautiful songs inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, mC's annual play-through of Deep River, and a student solo showcase.
together with guests artists from Castle of Our Skins - Nina Anderson, soprano & Kenneth Griffith, piano:
Sunday, March 26, 2:30pm, St. John's Church in Jamaica Plain
This special concert features the world-premiere performance of Joi Harper's Aspirations and Sorrows - a year-long collaboration between Castle of Our Skins and musiConnects' mC² cohort, as well as beautiful songs inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, mC's annual play-through of Deep River, and a student solo showcase.
together with guests artists from Castle of Our Skins - Nina Anderson, soprano & Kenneth Griffith, piano:
- Joi Harper's Aspirations and Sorrows (on texts by mC² students) for soprano, piano, and strings
- inspired by Langston Hughes: songs for voice & piano by Robert L. Owens, H. Leslie Adams, Florence Price, H. T. Burleigh, and William Grant Still
- Deep River, arranged by Betsy Hinkle & solo performances by mC students
Sunday, March 26, 2:30pm, St. John's Church in Jamaica Plain
mC2 SHOWCASE / STUDENT STAGE || May 22
Every Friday, the oldest students in musiConnects programming gather for rehearsals, workshops, and discussions focused on music's role in society. Now, as a team of young artists, they're ready to present music, ideas, and stories, in a first-ever, student-designed mC2 Showcase performance made possible by support from the Mass Cultural Council.
Sunday, May 22, 4pm, Rozzie Square Theater
Every Friday, the oldest students in musiConnects programming gather for rehearsals, workshops, and discussions focused on music's role in society. Now, as a team of young artists, they're ready to present music, ideas, and stories, in a first-ever, student-designed mC2 Showcase performance made possible by support from the Mass Cultural Council.
Sunday, May 22, 4pm, Rozzie Square Theater
December 2022
mC students and teachers join together for two performances to celebrate the completion of our Fall Trimester. The December 4th performance features student solos and a reprise of our Resident Musicians' fall performance project. On December 17th, more students will share their latest efforts, while faculty presents our annual rendition "Kai and the Lights," a holiday concert tradition.
Sunday, December 4, 2pm, Roslindale Square Theater
Saturday, December 17, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Roslindale Branch
mC students and teachers join together for two performances to celebrate the completion of our Fall Trimester. The December 4th performance features student solos and a reprise of our Resident Musicians' fall performance project. On December 17th, more students will share their latest efforts, while faculty presents our annual rendition "Kai and the Lights," a holiday concert tradition.
Sunday, December 4, 2pm, Roslindale Square Theater
Saturday, December 17, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Roslindale Branch
November 2022
This fall, mC Resident Musicians explore a unique program curated by our very own Lizzy Cook, featuring music by colleagues she met while living in Palestine and teaching at the Al Kamandjâti music school. This concert - a mixture of Arabic, Indigenous American, and Peruvian-inspired music that explores and celebrates diverse styles of string-playing - includes works by Aburedwan, Sombati, Najem, Jebrini, Begay and Frank.
Sunday, November 13, 7pm, Fuller Village, Milton
Sunday, November 20, 8pm, Workhub at the Substation ($20 suggested donation)
Sunday, December 4, 2pm, Roslindale Square Theater
This fall, mC Resident Musicians explore a unique program curated by our very own Lizzy Cook, featuring music by colleagues she met while living in Palestine and teaching at the Al Kamandjâti music school. This concert - a mixture of Arabic, Indigenous American, and Peruvian-inspired music that explores and celebrates diverse styles of string-playing - includes works by Aburedwan, Sombati, Najem, Jebrini, Begay and Frank.
Sunday, November 13, 7pm, Fuller Village, Milton
Sunday, November 20, 8pm, Workhub at the Substation ($20 suggested donation)
Sunday, December 4, 2pm, Roslindale Square Theater
BARTOK || May + June 2022
This spring, our Resident Musicians split into teams to celebrate the art of the duo, in which composers build deep musical conversations using the smallest of means. Our students join in the fun, too, with a full program exploration of Béla Bartók's 44 Duos, a fascinating masterpiece that is at once a staple of string pedagogy and a recorded archive of Eastern European folk music.
throughout Performathon week, May 15-21 (see above)
Saturday, May 28, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch
Sunday, June 4, 11am, Boston Public Library's Roslindale Branch
at Stand By Me / Solo Recital, June 5, 4pm, Boston Nature Center
This spring, our Resident Musicians split into teams to celebrate the art of the duo, in which composers build deep musical conversations using the smallest of means. Our students join in the fun, too, with a full program exploration of Béla Bartók's 44 Duos, a fascinating masterpiece that is at once a staple of string pedagogy and a recorded archive of Eastern European folk music.
throughout Performathon week, May 15-21 (see above)
Saturday, May 28, 12pm, Boston Public Library's Mattapan Branch
Sunday, June 4, 11am, Boston Public Library's Roslindale Branch
at Stand By Me / Solo Recital, June 5, 4pm, Boston Nature Center
mC2 SHOWCASE / STUDENT STAGE || May 22
Every Friday, the oldest students in musiConnects programming gather for rehearsals, workshops, and discussions focused on music's role in society. Now, as a team of young artists, they're ready to present music, ideas, and stories, in a first-ever, student-designed mC2 Showcase performance made possible by support from the Mass Cultural Council.
Sunday, May 22, 4pm, Rozzie Square Theater
Every Friday, the oldest students in musiConnects programming gather for rehearsals, workshops, and discussions focused on music's role in society. Now, as a team of young artists, they're ready to present music, ideas, and stories, in a first-ever, student-designed mC2 Showcase performance made possible by support from the Mass Cultural Council.
Sunday, May 22, 4pm, Rozzie Square Theater
PERFORMATHON! || May 15-21
Our second-annual Performathon mobilizes ALL participants - Resident Musicians, teaching faculty, and students of all ages in our Residency Program & Roslindale Community Program - in a week-long, outdoor performance festival throughout Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. The beauty of Performathon is its unannounced, pop-up nature - between May 15-21, you have a good chance of stumbling across a concert in Roslindale Village or Mattapan! If you’d prefer to plan on visiting a particular performance, you can reference the list below - we will update this Schedule of Events throughout the week.
Sunday, May 15 at 3pm - Adams Park, Roslindale [backup location - Alexander the Great Park]
Our Performathon kick-off features student soloists, Bach and Vivaldi concerti, excerpts from Bartók’s 44 Duos, and string quartets by Philip Glass and Charlton Singleton. All ages welcome - bring a picnic blanket and a snack!
Monday, May 16 at 4pm - Alexander the Great Park, Roslindale
Ms. Lizzy’s cello choir & Mr. David’s youngest violin students share their recent accomplishments at the corner of Birch St & Robert St!
Tuesday, May 17 - KIPP Academy, Mattapan**
Students at KIPP Academy perform for their teachers.
Wednesday, May 18 - KIPP Academy, Mattapan**
Students at KIPP Academy perform for their teachers.
Thursday, May 19 at 6pm - Birch St Pedestrian Plaza, Roslindale
An enterprising 6yo student performs a mini-recital for an audience of friends and passersby!
Friday, May 20 at 5:30pm - Birch St Pedestrian Plaza, Roslindale
mC2 students test the waters for their upcoming Showcase performance (May 22) with a pop-up performance on Birch St!
Saturday, May 21
11am, Fiddle Jam (contact us to attend)**
3pm, Fallon Field, Roslindale
Ms. Liz's students return to their favorite spot in Roslindale's Fallon Field for a mini-recital.
**Indicates an event in a school or a private home - these concerts are generally not open to the public, but we’ll post recorded highlights on our social media channels!
Our second-annual Performathon mobilizes ALL participants - Resident Musicians, teaching faculty, and students of all ages in our Residency Program & Roslindale Community Program - in a week-long, outdoor performance festival throughout Roslindale, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods of Boston. The beauty of Performathon is its unannounced, pop-up nature - between May 15-21, you have a good chance of stumbling across a concert in Roslindale Village or Mattapan! If you’d prefer to plan on visiting a particular performance, you can reference the list below - we will update this Schedule of Events throughout the week.
Sunday, May 15 at 3pm - Adams Park, Roslindale [backup location - Alexander the Great Park]
Our Performathon kick-off features student soloists, Bach and Vivaldi concerti, excerpts from Bartók’s 44 Duos, and string quartets by Philip Glass and Charlton Singleton. All ages welcome - bring a picnic blanket and a snack!
Monday, May 16 at 4pm - Alexander the Great Park, Roslindale
Ms. Lizzy’s cello choir & Mr. David’s youngest violin students share their recent accomplishments at the corner of Birch St & Robert St!
Tuesday, May 17 - KIPP Academy, Mattapan**
Students at KIPP Academy perform for their teachers.
Wednesday, May 18 - KIPP Academy, Mattapan**
Students at KIPP Academy perform for their teachers.
Thursday, May 19 at 6pm - Birch St Pedestrian Plaza, Roslindale
An enterprising 6yo student performs a mini-recital for an audience of friends and passersby!
Friday, May 20 at 5:30pm - Birch St Pedestrian Plaza, Roslindale
mC2 students test the waters for their upcoming Showcase performance (May 22) with a pop-up performance on Birch St!
Saturday, May 21
11am, Fiddle Jam (contact us to attend)**
3pm, Fallon Field, Roslindale
Ms. Liz's students return to their favorite spot in Roslindale's Fallon Field for a mini-recital.
**Indicates an event in a school or a private home - these concerts are generally not open to the public, but we’ll post recorded highlights on our social media channels!
SCHUBERT + GLASS + SINGLETON || Quartet Fragments || March 2022
Our Resident Musicians return to the string quartet in a program joining the 19th-century lyricism of Franz Schubert with the Quartet Satz (2017) of Philip Glass. Though separated by over 200 years, these composers' worlds are closely aligned: a hypnotic, intimate listening experience built from driving rhythm and deeply-felt melody. Together with these beautiful miniatures, they'll perform Charlton Singleton's rousing "Testimony," commissioned by the Kronos Quartet's groundbreaking 50 for The Future.
Sunday, March 20 - at the Winter Recital (see below)
Sunday, March 27 - Rozzie Square Theater (free, first-come, first-served seating)
Our Resident Musicians return to the string quartet in a program joining the 19th-century lyricism of Franz Schubert with the Quartet Satz (2017) of Philip Glass. Though separated by over 200 years, these composers' worlds are closely aligned: a hypnotic, intimate listening experience built from driving rhythm and deeply-felt melody. Together with these beautiful miniatures, they'll perform Charlton Singleton's rousing "Testimony," commissioned by the Kronos Quartet's groundbreaking 50 for The Future.
Sunday, March 20 - at the Winter Recital (see below)
Sunday, March 27 - Rozzie Square Theater (free, first-come, first-served seating)
SPIRIT! / STUDENT STAGE || March 2022
This year's Winter Recital features student solos, faculty performances, and the annual "All-Play." The All-Play performance of "Deep River" brings together musiConnects participants of all ages - from the youngest beginner to the most seasoned members of our mC2 peer leadership group.
March 20 - Winter Recital, Workhub at the Substation
This year's Winter Recital features student solos, faculty performances, and the annual "All-Play." The All-Play performance of "Deep River" brings together musiConnects participants of all ages - from the youngest beginner to the most seasoned members of our mC2 peer leadership group.
March 20 - Winter Recital, Workhub at the Substation
SPOTLIGHT SERIES || Betsy Hinkle, with Joy Cline Phinney, piano
New in Season 15, the SPOTLIGHT SERIES features the individual artistry of our Resident Musician teaching artists, who appear in recital with guest collaborators. Betsy kicks off this tradition with a gorgeous recital program centered around the violin & piano works of Florence Price, presented in collaboration with guest artist Joy Cline Phinney.
January 23, 3pm - Newbridge on the Charles
New in Season 15, the SPOTLIGHT SERIES features the individual artistry of our Resident Musician teaching artists, who appear in recital with guest collaborators. Betsy kicks off this tradition with a gorgeous recital program centered around the violin & piano works of Florence Price, presented in collaboration with guest artist Joy Cline Phinney.
January 23, 3pm - Newbridge on the Charles
KAI AND THE LIGHTS || December, multiple dates
A beloved tradition: this original story of warmth and hope by poet Ashley Rose is lovingly illustrated by our Resident Musicians, who weave together centuries of string chamber music with iconic holiday melodies. All ages welcome - this multi-disciplinary performance is particularly welcoming to young children in their first concert experiences.
December 3 (in schools)
Sunday December 5 (in concert), 4pm - Workhub / Roslindale Substation
Tickets
$20 per adult | kids (under 18) enter free
All donations welcomed + appreciated
A beloved tradition: this original story of warmth and hope by poet Ashley Rose is lovingly illustrated by our Resident Musicians, who weave together centuries of string chamber music with iconic holiday melodies. All ages welcome - this multi-disciplinary performance is particularly welcoming to young children in their first concert experiences.
December 3 (in schools)
Sunday December 5 (in concert), 4pm - Workhub / Roslindale Substation
Tickets
$20 per adult | kids (under 18) enter free
All donations welcomed + appreciated
STUDENT STAGE || November-December
From Twinkle, Twinkle to Vivaldi concerti to fiddle standards, mC solo recitals are a joyous celebration of musical progress across all ages and levels. Our first "All-Play" of the season ("Family Fiddle Food Fest") brings teachers and students together in joyful noise.
Sunday, November 21, 11am & 4pm - Fall Solo Recital, Workhub / Roslindale Substation
From Twinkle, Twinkle to Vivaldi concerti to fiddle standards, mC solo recitals are a joyous celebration of musical progress across all ages and levels. Our first "All-Play" of the season ("Family Fiddle Food Fest") brings teachers and students together in joyful noise.
Sunday, November 21, 11am & 4pm - Fall Solo Recital, Workhub / Roslindale Substation
PRICE + DVORAK || Quintets for Piano and Strings, with John Kramer || October-November
Our fall recital project features the piano quintets of Florence Price and Antonin Dvorak - twin masterworks of epic sweep and romantic yearning. If history and circumstance were different, Price would be the household name, and Dvorak the discovery. As it stands, both composers speak to us across the decades, with music of warmth and generosity.
Friday, November 5, 8pm - Music in the Sanctuary at Winchester Unitarian Society
Our fall recital project features the piano quintets of Florence Price and Antonin Dvorak - twin masterworks of epic sweep and romantic yearning. If history and circumstance were different, Price would be the household name, and Dvorak the discovery. As it stands, both composers speak to us across the decades, with music of warmth and generosity.
Friday, November 5, 8pm - Music in the Sanctuary at Winchester Unitarian Society