Locations
The new-to-us First Church in Roxbury joins the Neighborhood Arts family this season. The meetinghouse dates from 1804, but there has been a church on the site since 1632. The church, operated as a community center by the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, is home to an 1883 Hook & Hastings pipe organ, recently reinstalled after a thorough renovation. Pianist and organist John Paul McGee performs on the pipe organ this season!
We return to Cambridge's Multicultural Arts Center, and have a robust schedule at Back Bay's beautiful Arlington Street Church presenting Latin and contemporary music in partnership with Ágora Cultural Architects.
We return to Jamaica Plain's spacious and accessible Bethel AME Church. Roxbury Community College's Media Arts Center hosts an expanded lineup of music and dance, and the Salvation Army Kroc Center hosts young string players and leading professional musicians for two Stringfest concerts.
Clarinet Weekend
The clarinet—nimble, expressive, authentic, and earthy—takes center stage in a weekend that celebrates this relatively unsung hero of jazz, folk, orchestral, and chamber music around the world. Hear jazz, klezmer, and chamber music from outstanding clarinetists Juan Ruiz, Itay Dayan, and Christopher Elchico, along with talented friends.
I Dream a World Youth Choral Showcase
A must-see event for the United States’ 250th anniversary year brings together a stage full of talented young singers, the words of American literary luminaries, two amazing Boston-based cellists, and the world premiere of a Boston-inspired choir composition.
Hear Boston Children's Chorus, Boston City Singers, and the Handel & Haydn Youth Choruses Chamber Choir perform songs set to the words of Langston Hughes. Be the first to hear an all-new commission from composer B.E. Boykin, inspired by the words of brilliant eighteenth century poet Phillis Wheatley.
Stringfest performances
Connecting student performers and working professionals in our Stringfest programs is an important part of Neighborhood Arts. This season, there are wonderful opportunities for in-person mentorship and co-creation experiences for young musicians. These performances are open to all, and you're invited to come and be inspired!
This season, harpist Eduardo Betancourt with his Quartet and saxophonist Edmar Colón and his Ensemble lead Stringfest performances at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Dorchester. Traditional sounds of Venezuela and Puerto Rico blend with jazz, contemporary, and classical as these young artists perform alongside these outstanding Boston-based ensembles!
