ArtsBeat TV/Radio 10/29/21

PROGRAM NOTE: All new ArtsBeat FRI 8AM on WCPC15, Southwick Community Programming and 89.5fm/WSKB. Rodney Rock previews the Jorgensen season at UConn, and Mamie Parris says “It’s a Grand Night For Singing” at Goodspeed. Watch! Listen! Stream!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgFwsGMNSpA

Westfield News Review: Ah, Wilderness

Westfield News review: "Ah, Wilderness!" reopens Hartford Stage. https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-thoughtful-wilderness-was-worth-the-wait/

Pioneer Valley Radio Review: Ah, Wilderness

It’s been a long wait for Melia Bensussen’s production “Ah, Wilderness!” to arrive at Hartford Stage. Audiences won’t be disappointed. Stream my ArtsBeat review on Pioneer Valley Radio on our new platform. Segment begins at 2:44 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-wednesday-october-27-2021/

On The Mark TV/Radio 10/27/21

PROGRAM NOTE: New “On The Mark” edition of “What Young People Think”. Meet Arianna James, Wilmer Rodriguez and Zion Frazier from American International College. tomorrow at 8AM on WCPC15, 89.5fm/WSKB. . Watch! Listen! Stream! . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVPZbV3nKpg

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/26/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/26/21. Pilobolus at Jorgensen, new Associate Artists at Barrington Stage, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-oct-26-to-nov-1/

Pioneer Valley Radio ArtsBeat 10/26/21

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. The Berkshire Theatre Critics Awards nominees announced. A new documentary about Shakespeare & Company. The first opera ever written by a woman, Francesca Caccini and more. Segment begins at: 1:04 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-october-26-2021/

MOSSO Media Release 10/26/21

Dateline: October 26, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: MOSSO: Musicians of The Springfield Symphony Orchestra Beth Welty, Assistant Principal Second Violin, 339-368–2996 Bob Lawrence, First Violin, 917-841-3307 Miho Matsuno, First Violin, 917-523-5329 Thomas Bergeron, Principal Trumpet 413-221-9504 MOSSO: Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Thrilled by Response to their October 15 Concert, Moves to Produce Additional Concerts Springfield, MA. MOSSO: Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, will continue to produce professional classical music concerts for the audiences of Western Massachusetts, following the success of their October 15 concert with Maestro Kevin Rhodes in Springfield Symphony Hall. Coming Home: A Symphonic Reunion filled the COVID-adjusted capacity of Springfield Symphony Hall with 1300 audience members, and reached thousands of additional people nationwide through a livestream, made possible with the support of the City of Springfield, the Music Performance Trust Fund, the American Federation of Musicians, the Office of Mayor Domenic Sarno of the City of Springfield, Amanda Spear-Purchase and the staff of Symphony Hall, benefactor Lyman Wood and lovers of classical music from throughout the Pioneer Valley, Connecticut and beyond. Their monetary and logistical support allowed all audience members to attend or stream the performance for free. Innovative approaches for reaching new audiences is essential for sharing the joy of classical music with younger fans. MOSSO addressed this priority by live streaming the performance (with FOCUS Springfield) and by inviting music students and their parents from the Community Music School of Springfield to attend this free concert in Symphony Hall. Maestro Kevin Rhodes was overwhelmed by the audience’s tumultuous response: “I have to say something about our incredible patrons who filled a capacity-reduced Symphony Hall. While incredible enthusiasm from the audience was a constant feature of every performance I’ve had the pleasure to conduct in Springfield in 20 years, the unbridled passion and love shown to the musicians and the music were completely unprecedented.” Maestro Rhodes added, “This concert was entirely produced by MOSSO. In order to accomplish this amazing feat, the musicians had to learn an incredible number of new tasks and develop new skills in concert production from contracting and communicating with dozens of colleagues to assemble the orchestra. They collaborated with numerous city departments and businesses. They managed finances; solicited grants, sponsorships and donations; marketed and promoted the concert...all within six week’s time.” “The thing I would really like to emphasize,” concluded Maestro Rhodes, “is the reason they did this. It was not to save their own jobs in Springfield, but rather because of the love and passion they feel for classical music and our audiences. This is, in addition to the most committed belief in the mission, value, and power of live music, and the importance of being a positive force in a community standing for excellence and joy, that they demonstrate everytime they walk on stage.” Martin Kluger, Principal Timpanist, reported to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. Management Committee that live audiences had no concerns about attending a performance with COVID restrictions in Symphony Hall: “Sold out attendance with incident-free observance of COVID precautions at the October 15th event, on top of the outpouring of voluntary donations that MOSSO received online and at the door, prove that the classical music audience in Springfield and environs is ready to support performances.” According to longtime Assistant Concertmistress Marsha Harbison, donations to MOSSO continue to arrive: “As of October 25, MOSSO has received over $40,000 in contributions from over 120 individual donors in the area. This money will be used to produce additional MOSSO events, ensuring that professional classical and symphonic music continues to be a part of Springfield’s cultural identity.” Harbison added that MOSSO had received its non-profit 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. Kluger added, “MOSSO does not wish to be a rival or competitor to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra,” and said that the musicians are hopeful that the SSO will schedule concerts for a 2021-2022 season while working towards an agreement with the musicians and Maestro Kevin Rhodes. Beth Welty, Assistant Principal Second Violin, says, “Yes indeed, MOSSO does want to collaborate with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. to deliver music to our audience. However, in the absence of a sensible agreement that demonstrates a positive vision for the SSO’s future, MOSSO will continue to produce musical events. We are moving forward with concerts to be announced shortly. MOSSO is committed to bringing live music to our community and providing work for our musicians.” Thomas Bergeron, Principal Trumpet says, “The musicians poured incredible amounts of their own time and energy into producing the event on October 15th. Why? Because we believe in the City of Springfield and we believe in the power of symphonic music to bring our community together. I started my musical career as a member of the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra 25 years ago. I would not be the musician I am today without the support and inspiration that experience provided.” For further information about MOSSO’s upcoming programs, to join the mailing list, and to contribute towards future concerts, visit MOSSO at: www.springfieldsymphonymusicians.com, or find MOSSO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MOSSO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which is not a subsidiary of nor affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. Donations to MOSSO, including checks made payable to MOSSO, Inc. can be sent to: MOSSO, PO Box 3513, Amherst, MA 01004. All such donations made to MOSSO will be used to produce live musical events for the Springfield community. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. -30-

ArtsBeat TV/Radio FRI 10/22/21

PROGRAM NOTE: All new ArtsBeat TV/Radio FRI 8AM with Barrington Hinds from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company and Alysha Umphress who stars with Billy Crystal in Barrington Stage’s “Mr. Saturday Night”. Watch! Listen! Stream! On WCPC15, Southwick Community Programming and 89.5fm/WSKB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i73-i9kScfc

On The Mark TV/Radio 10/20/21`

Bess Hochstein and Will Baczek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyC5aBjBixg&t=157s

Pioneer Valley Radio review: MOSSO

Pioneer Valley Radio review: MOSSO: The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Kevin Rhodes. segment begins at: 2:55 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-wednesday-october-20-2021/

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 10/19/21

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. Bombyx brings hot jazz to the Valley, The New England Repertory Orchestra premieres; Holyoke Civic Symphony begins its 55th season, “Kiss My Aztec” comes to Hartford Stage, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. Segment begins at 12:38. https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-october-19-2021/

October Column: Succeeding in SDmall Business

My October column for Succeeding in Small Business. Some thoughts about Giving Tuesday. https://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/tis-the-season-a-giving-tuesday-communications-primer-for-nonprofits/?fbclid=IwAR0YC5kmuMUPKtVCSgy0zfWVs0koks8knipOpL1G1a0GTz7L9LSgXX0BRRA

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/19/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/19/21. "Kiss My Aztec" headed to Hartford Stage, Bombyx brings jazz to the Valley, "Someone Else's House" at TheaterWorks and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-oct-19-25-2021/

Westfield News Review: MOSSO and Maestro Kevin Rhodes

My Westfield News review: MOSSO: The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Kevin Rhodes. https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-musicians-applauded-on-return-to-symphony-hall/

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 10/15/21

PROGRAM NOTE: NEW ArtsBeat TV/Radio FRI 8AM on WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Composer David Sanford talks about his new album, and Jamilla Deria and Michael Sakamoto preview the UMass Fine Arts Center season. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhET9cWD8kI

Athenaeum Spotlight 10/13/21

PROGRAM NOTE: All new Athenaeum Spotlight with Guy McLain, tomorrow on WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Guy’s guest is John Davis, the new director of Historic Deerfield. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=471Nj8l4P00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=471Nj8l4P00

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 10/12/21

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio (new streaming format too). A dancer's story about Bob Fosse at The Mahaiwe, Someone Else's House at TheaterWorks, MOSSO at Symphony Hall. and more. segment begins at: 1:57 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-october-12-2021/

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/12/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/12/21. "The Band's Visit" is Hartford-bound. Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company at UMass. MOSSO with Maestro Kevin Rhodes in Springfield and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-oct-12-18/

MOSSO Press Release 10/12/21

Dateline: October 12, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: MOSSO: Musicians of The Springfield Symphony Orchestra Beth Welty, Assistant Principal Second Violin, 339-368–2996 Bob Lawrence, First Violin, 917-841-3307 Miho Matsuno, First Violin, 917-523-5329 Thomas Bergeron, Principal Trumpet 413-221-9504 MOSSO: Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to Livestream Concert on Friday, October 15 at Springfield Symphony Hall     Springfield, MA. MOSSO — Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra — will provide a free livestream of its 7:30pm concert on Friday, October 15 at Springfield Symphony Hall. Maestro Kevin Rhodes, music director and conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for twenty years, will return to Springfield to lead a program, free to all, entitled “COMING HOME: A Symphonic Reunion” including symphonic works by Rossini, Beethoven, Dvorak, Walker and Tchaikovsky. Access the livestream via MOSSO's website: SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com. According to Thomas Bergeron, Principal Trumpet, “Ticket demand for our Symphony Hall performance has been stronger than expected. Since we may run out of tickets for this reduced-capacity event, we’ve decided to add a high-quality livestream to help our concert reach a wider audience. People all over the world will now be able to experience our music on Friday night.” Any remaining tickets for the event at Symphony Hall are available on Eventbrite, which can be accessed directly from the MOSSO website SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com. MOSSO thanks the Music Performance Trust Fund, the American Federation of Musicians, the Office of Mayor Domenic Sarno of the City of Springfield, Amanda Spear-Purchase and the staff of Symphony Hall, and Lyman Wood for their support in bringing this free event to Western Massachusetts. Any remaining tickets for the October 15 performance must be reserved in advance. No tickets will be given out at the door, and ticket holders must be masked and have proof of full vaccination against Covid-19. All performers will also be fully vaccinated and masked. Seating will be by general admission. Springfield Symphony Hall is located at 34 Court Street at the corner of Columbus Avenue in downtown Springfield, MA. For details visit SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com. MOSSO is not affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. All donations made to MOSSO will be used to produce live music events for the Springfield community. Donations can be made online through the MOSSO website SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com or checks can be made out to MOSSO and sent to MOSSO, PO Box 3513, Amherst, MA 01004. -30-

Westfield News review: "A Grand Night for Singing"

My Westfield News review of Goodspeed's "A Grand Night for Singing". https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-goodspeed-reopens-with-rodgers-and-hammerstein-hits/

Pioneer Valley Radio review: Goodspeed's Grand Night for Singing

My Pioneer Valley Radio review of "A Grand Night for Singing" at Goodspeed. segment begins at 8:30 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-friday-october-8-2021/

Pioneer Valley Radio review: Shirley Valentine

My Pioneer Valley Radio review of "Shirley Valentine" at Berkshire Theatre Group. segment begins at 1:00 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-friday-october-8-2021/

Westfield News Review: Shirley Valentine at BTG

Westfield News review: Corinna May as "Shirley Valentine", directed by Eric Hill, at Berkshire Theatre Group. https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-creative-choices-lead-actress-charm-in-shirley-valentine/

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 10/08/21

PROGRAM NOTE: New ArtsBeat TV/Radio FRI 8AM on WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. A quartet from MOSSO: The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra preview their upcoming free concert at Symphony Hall, and Matt Longhi shares the UMass Music Department Fall concert lineup. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwyJJmvyGZI

On The Mark TV/Radio 10/06/21

New “On The Mark”: today on WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. What Young People Think with students from Westfield State University. Meet Anthony Rivera, Eddie Payzant, and Shane McCoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXUObue3RVg

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/05/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 10/05/21. Hartford Stage's "Ah, Wilderness", a new season at Jorgensen, a new orchestra in the area, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-oct-5-11/

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 10/05/21

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard Today. Ah Wilderness opens Hartford Stage’s season, Kamloopa premieres at WAM, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. Segment begins at .3:11 https://pioneervalleyradio.com/2021/10/05/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-october-5-2021/

Westfield News Review: A Crossing at Barrington Stage

My Westfield News review of Barrington Stage's "A Crossing". https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-bold-poignant-dance-musical-examines-refugee-crisis/

Pioneer Valley Radio Review: A Crossing at Barrington Stage

“Barrington Stage’s A Crossing: A Dance Musical is bold, brash, bright, poignant and electrifying, and one of the most exciting dance theatre pieces to emerge in recent years”. Catch my review on Pioneer Valley Radio. Segment begins at: 1:57. https://pioneervalleyradio.com/2021/10/04/brad-shepard-today-monday-october-4-2021/

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 10/01/21

New ArtsBeat TV/Radio Fon WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Gold Dust Orphans’ Ryan Landry took out his paintbox during the pandemic, and his art heads to Northampton. An exclusive preview from his boudoir. And, Collette Hall previews the Hartford Symphony’s season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5hIfUve60g