Westfield News/MassLive ArtsBeat 2/28/22

Westfield News/MassLive ArtsBeat 2/28/22. The Punch Brothers at Jorgensen, MOSSO at Springfield Symphony Hall, Ruggiero's Sondheim in St. Louis, and arts news for WMass and NoCT. https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2022/02/arts-beat-several-symphonies-returning-to-stage-next-month.html

MOSSO Press Release: MOSSO's Virtuosos March 26 at Symphony Hall

THE MUSICIANS OF THE SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (MOSSO) PRESENT “MOSSO’S VIRTUOSOS,” LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY HALL ON MARCH 26 The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, known as MOSSO, return to Springfield Symphony Hall with a live performance, MOSSO’S VIRTUOSOS, on Saturday, March 26, their first performance in Symphony Hall, since October, 2021. Although all of the musicians are members of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, MOSSO is not affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Inc. Proceeds from this concert will be used by MOSSO to produce additional concerts, including the ongoing chamber music series at The Westfield Athenaeum, and an additional concert celebrating the music of Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, at Symphony Hall in June. MOSSO’S VIRTUOSOS showcases the members of the MOSSO family, and all of the soloists for the program are principal players of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Trumpeter Thomas Bergeron and Timpanist Martin Kluger will share the conducting duties. The program comprises: Faure’s Fantaisie for Flute and Orchestra with Ann Bobo; the first movement of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with Thomas Bergeron; Concerto for Alto Trombone by Leopold Mozart with Brian Diehl; two movements from Ney Rosauro’s Concerto No. 1 for Marimba with Nathan Lassell; the first movement of Mozart’s Haffner Symphony; and Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, itself a showcase of soloists within the MOSSO chamber orchestra. The evening will be introduced by Patrick Berry, co-host of Mass Appeal on 22 News. Beth Welty, violinist and MOSSO Chair, said, “The Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. hasn’t produced nor programmed any concerts in Symphony Hall since March, 2020. The musicians formed MOSSO as a non-profit organization to produce live music to provide employment opportunities for its 70 musicians. When the National Labor Relations Board settlement awarded the musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra $276,000 in January, MOSSO members decided to use that money to produce concerts in Western Massachusetts. Our MOSSO family is investing in the cultural life of our communities.” Welty added that the Rosauro piece will be dedicated in memory of Springfield Symphony Orchestra percussionist Warren Myers and his late wife, Marlene, who had been part of the SSO family for decades. MOSSO thanks The Office of Mayor Domenic Sarno of the City of Springfield, Amanda Spear-Purchase and the staff of Springfield Symphony Hall, Music for Life International, supporting social impact through music (http://music4lifeinternational.org/); Gerry’s Music Shop (https://gerrysmusicshop.com/), The Republican/MassLive (https://www.masslive.com/), BusinessWest and Healthcare News (https://businesswest.com/), WWLP-22News & The CW Springfield (https://www.wwlp.com/) Lynn Klock, and other donors. Tickets for the March 26 performance, general admission, are $20.00. Producers Circle general admission in the center orchestra and center grand tier sections are $30.00. Tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be no door sales. Masks will be required inside Symphony Hall, which is located at 34 Court Street at the corner of Columbus Avenue in downtown Springfield, MA. For details and reservations: www.SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com. 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. All donations made to MOSSO will be used to produce live musical events for the Springfield community.

On The Mark TV/Radio 3/02/22

PROGRAM NOTE: From Soup to (Do)Nuts. NEW On The Mark, WED 8AM from WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Soup book author Craig Fear talks chowder, and “Donut Dollies” director Norm Anderson on the award-winning film from WMass. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=242moUscO5U

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 2/25/22

PROGRAM NOTE: NEW ArtsBeat TV/Radio tomorrow 8AM from WCPC15, 89.5fm/WSKB, Southwick Community Programming, and Agawam Media. Mark Gionfriddo and Maureen Sullivan preview “The Big Broadcast!” and meet Berkshires composer David Crowe. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fSbYuPK7k4

TheaterWorks Review on Pioneer Valley Radio

Don’t miss my review of TheaterWorks Hartford’s “This Bitter Earth” on Pioneer Valley Radio. Segment begins at 3:18 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-wednesday-february-23-2022/

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 2/22/22

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. “Alaudin Ullah in Dishwasher Dreams” at Hartford Stage, “Blithe Spirit” at the Majestic, MOSSO at the Westfield Athenaeum and arts news for WMass and No.CT. Segment begins at: 3:40 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-february-22-2022/

Westfield News/MassLive ArtsBeat 2/21/22

Westfield News/MassLive ArtsBeat 2/21/22. "My Fair Lady" at The Bushnell; "Dishwasher Dreams" at Hartford Stage; Mark H. Dold in "The Inheritance" in Boston, "The Big Broadcast!" and more. https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2022/02/arts-beat-my-fair-lady-big-band-radio-ghostly-comedy-on-local-stages.html

Athenaeum Spotlight 2/23/22

PROGRAM NOTE: New “Athenaeum Spotlight with Guy McLain” from WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Guy shares backgrounds of some of the important works of art in the Athenaeum. 8AM Wed. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzJf4-u_zL0

February Column: Succeeding in Small Business

My February column for Succeeding in Small Business. https://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/how-to-keep-your-small-business-in-the-spotlight/

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 2/18/22

PROGRAM NOTE: New ArtsBeat FRI 8AM from WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB and Agawam Media and Southwick Community Programming. Colette Hall previews upcoming Hartford Symphony concerts. And, meet Jeff Bemiss, filmmaker of “Missing in Brooks County” Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t5GWqRj6YM

MOSSO Westfield Athenaeum Concert Press Release 4/15/22

WESTFIELD ATHENAEUM AND MOSSO: MUSICIANS OF THE SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA,ANNOUNCE SECOND OF THREE CONCERT CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES Westfield, MA: The Westfield Athenaeum continues its three concert chamber music series on Thursday, April 14, at 7PM, with Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, known as MOSSO, providing the music. A woodwind quintet of MOSSO musicians will be showcased, and Guy McLain, Executive Director of the Westfield Athenaeum, will offer a pre-performance talk at 6PM, which is free to ticket holders. Ann Bobo, Principal Flute, and Nancy Dimock, Principal Oboe, will be joined by their colleagues Ian Greitzer, clarinetist, Ron Haroutunian, bassoonist, and horn player Robert Marlatt, in a program that includes: Franz Danzi’s Quintet in B-Flat, Op.56, No. 1; Hedwige Chretien’s Wind Quintet; Darius Milhaud La Cheminée du roi René and Igor Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite The MOSSO season at The Westfield Athenaeum opens March 10, with the Aryaloka Quartet, Violinists Mark Latham and Beth Welty, violist Noralee Walker, and cellist Sandi-Jo Malmon performing William Grant Still’s Lyric String Quartet; Charles Ives’ String Quartet #1 Op.57 “From The Salvation Army: A Revival Service”; Beethoven’s String Quartet in C major, op. 59 #3; and an additional piece to be announced at the performance. The season will conclude with a concert on May 19, with a program to be announced soon. Guy McLain, Executive Director of the Westfield Athenaeum, said “We’re thrilled to bring classical music back to downtown Westfield, and we are glad that the musicians of MOSSO have chosen to partner with us to make this kind of music programming available. Tickets for the concert, $20.00, must be purchased in advance at The Westfield Athenaeum during business hours, or online at https://www.westath.org/. Audience members will be required to wear masks. . MOSSO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which is not a subsidiary of nor affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. MOSSO was organized by the musicians this year to produce and perform concerts in Greater Springfield and Western Massachusetts, and to date, they have presented their musicians in pop-up concerts throughout the area, performances with local ensembles including the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival; a full orchestral performance with Maestro Kevin Rhodes in Springfield’s Symphony Hall, and the recent series of chamber ensemble concerts in Longmeadow. For further information about MOSSO’s programs, visit MOSSO at SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com, or find MOSSO on Facebook at Facebook.com/mossomusicians The Westfield Athenaeum, located in downtown Westfield, serves as the cultural center for the city. In addition to an active public library, providing a range of information services, the Athenaeum features an art museum with regular exhibits of regional artists, and a history museum, documenting the history of Westfield and the surrounding region from 1669 to the present day. For information on the Westfield Athenaeum: https://www.westath.org/

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 2/15/22

New ArtsBeat streaming on Pioneer Valley Radio. The 10x10 New Play Festival returns to Barrington Stage, Circa at Jorgensen, The Last Rat of Theresienstadt at Springfield College and more.. Segment begins at: 4:18 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-february-15-2022/

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/14/22

Westfield News/MassLive ArtsBeat 2/14/22. New musicals festival at Goodspeed; Jacob's Pillow announces season, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2022/02/arts-beat-images-of-music-icons-on-display-at-damour-museum.html

On The Mark TV/Radio 2/16/22

PROGRAM NOTE: New On The Mark WED 8AM from WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Larissa Murray and Maggie North preview February Vacation Week snd more at the Springfield Museums. And. Milk Street’s J.M. Hirsch stirs up a passion for cocktails. Watch! Listen! Stream! . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuMDKKsTnCk

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 2/11/22

PROGRAM NOTE: New ArtsBeat TV/Radio from WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Michael Sakamoto and Sally Murcio share upcoming programs at the UMass Fine Arts Center, and John Montanari talks about Valley Classical Concerts. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW7_PxYxGq4

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 2/08/22

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. Jacob’s Pillow announces its summer season. “This Bitter Earth” at TheaterWorks,Cirque FLIP Fabrique at UMass and arts news for WMass and NoCT. Segment begins at: 5:28 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-february-8-2022/

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/07/22

Westfield News/MassLive ArtsBeat 2/07/22. Cirque FLIP Fabrique at UMass, :This Bitter Earth" at TheaterWorks, K&E's 2022 season and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2022/02/arts-beat-breathtaking-circus-soars-into-umass-next-week.html

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 2/04/22

PROGRAM NOTE: New ArtsBeat TV/Radio FRI 8AM on WCPC15, 89.5fm/WSKB, Agawam Media and Southwick Community Programming. Alex Page-Hatley and Stephanie Fried chat Broadway at The Bushnell, and The Russian National Ballet’s Gulya Hartwick previews “Swan Lake”. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxu8S-VTDg0

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 2/01/22

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. Barrington Stage’s 2022 season, Valley Classical Concerts, Swan Lake, The Firebird, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. segment begins at 2:20. https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-february-1-2022/