Dear Friends,

After the anxieties of the past year, I am quick to remember some remarkable concerts that Bagaduce Music produced as part of its From Our Collection concert series this summer.
 
In June, the Wholesale Klezmer Band entertained at the Brooklin Inn. In early July, Bennett Konesni and ‘Blind Boy’ Jerron Paxton gave two blues concerts outdoors at Tinder Hearth in Brooksville and in Belfast. A week later, members of the Hartford Symphony performed outdoors in the old quarry in Blue Hill. A week after that, Metropolitan Opera tenor John McVeigh and singer Bonne Kramer gave two memorable concerts of songs “From Old Broadway” on Deer Island and at Bagaduce Music’s Performance Hall in Blue Hill. In August, on Little Deer Isle, we heard a very touching performance of "The Littles," several pieces written for children by Maia Aprahamian, a composer with local roots who is remembered fondly. Enjoy this reflection of "The Littles" from Linda Nelson.
 
Most recently, we hope that you were able to attend some of the events from Worksongs Week. With the aim of bringing back the work songs of the past that lumberjacks, farmers, and seamen would sing -- we enjoyed series of concerts and participatory events led by Bennett Konesni of The Worksong Project in Belfast. 

Regardless of what may happen this fall and in the future because of the pandemic, these summer concerts have reminded me of the power of live music, experienced in a beautiful outdoor setting with other people. And they have reminded me of the value of an organization like Bagaduce Music which can make these concerts and other events happen, opportunities to bring different kinds of music and music-making into the life of our community.

Warmly,
Parker Jayne, Board President