Pioneer Valley Radio ArtsBeat 11/23/21

“White Christmas” at Berkshire Theatre Group; “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Hartford Stage. “Air Play” at the Fine Arts Center. The holidays are here!. New ArtsBeat tomorrow after 6AM on Pioneer Valley Radio. Plenty to be thankful for. Segment begins at: 1:52 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-november-23-2021/

MOSSO Press Release. Longmeadow Brass Quintet Concert December 14

MOSSO to Present a Holiday Brass Concert on December 14 in Longmeadow Springfield, MA -- The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) will present a family-friendly performance, MOSSO and Friends Holiday Brass Concert, on Tuesday, December 14, at 7PM, at St. Andrew’s Church on 335 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA. According to Stephen Perry, MOSSO co-founder and concert organizer, the program will include the Carol of the Bells, traditional holiday songs from Russia and France, holiday music from Hollywood to Springfield, the Hanukkah Suite, and jazz interpretations of traditional holiday songs. The MOSSO and Friends Holiday Brass Concert features the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Trombonist Brian Diehl, French hornist Robert Hoyle, and Principal Tubist Stephen Perry. They also happen to be members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO), and are joined by their HSO colleagues, trumpeters John Charles Thomas and Scott McIntosh, in this performance. Tickets for the December 14 concert, all general admission, are $20.00 for adults, and $10.00 for children of high school age and younger. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No door sales will be available. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold to permit social distancing. All ticket holders will be required to wear masks, and all ticket holders over the age of 12 must show proof of vaccination. For tickets: www.springfieldsymphonymusicians.com. For further information about MOSSO’s upcoming programs, including a performance at the new Longmeadow Adult Center on December 17, join our mailing list and contribute towards future concerts by visiting MOSSO at 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-

Pioneer Valley Radio Recap: The Berkies

Now on Pioneer Valley Radio: a recap of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association 2021 “Berkies” awards for excellence in our regional theatre. Segment begins at 4:08 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-friday-november-19-2021/

Pioneer Valley Radio Review: The Band's Visit

Now on Pioneer Valley Radio, my review of the Tony Award winning musical, “The Band’s Visit”, at The Bushnell in Hartford through the weekend. You won’t want to miss this charmer of a show. Segment begins at: 4:20 .https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-thursday-november-18-2021/

MOSSO Press Release 11/16/21

Dateline: November 16, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Musicians of The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) 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 Boston Symphony Orchestra Musicians to Donate $10,000 to Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) Springfield, MA -- The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) have received a $10,000 donation pledge from their counterparts at the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). According to Beth Welty, a violinist and MOSSO co-founder, “James Markey, BSO trombonist and Chair of the BSO Players’ Committee, informed us that this gift is being sent ‘with sincere and heartfelt support.’ We are deeply moved and grateful for this wonderful gesture of solidarity from our fellow musicians in Boston.” Welty added, "The BSO musicians are giving this gift not just to MOSSO, but to all of our audience members here in Western Massachusetts. They know how vital our presence is for the economic and cultural well-being of our community — just as theirs is for the Boston area." According to principal trumpeter Thomas Bergeron, another MOSSO co-founder, “In addition to this generous donation from the BSO musicians, MOSSO has received $43,000 from over 130 donors since September, sending a clear message that our audience wishes to see and hear SSO musicians return to Symphony Hall. All of the money we have raised will be used to present live music in Western Massachusetts, including upcoming holiday brass quintet concerts.” Miho Matsuno, a violinist and also a MOSSO co-founder, explained that the musicians founded MOSSO earlier this year in response to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s failure to schedule any concerts for the 2021-22 season. “The Springfield Symphony Orchestra last performed live in Symphony Hall in March, 2020. With no agreement in place between the SSO Board and the musicians, no Executive Director, no Music Director, and no concerts planned, the musicians formed MOSSO, a nonprofit organization, to produce live classical music concerts. We've received tremendous community support, and have been gratified by the enthusiastic response of our audiences. The encouragement of both community leaders and music lovers has bolstered our resolve to continue to program and perform concerts.” MOSSO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which is not a subsidiary of nor affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. For further information about MOSSO’s programs, visit MOSSO at SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com, or find MOSSO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. -30-

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 11/19/21

NEW ArtsBeat FRI 8AM on WCPC15, Southwick Community Programming and 89.5fm/WSKB. Broadway’s Gregg Edelman brings “White Christmas” to Berkshire Theatre Group. Maestro Tianhui Ng shares the Pioneer Valley Symphony season. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXx_ZPil3cc

Westfield News Review: The Band's Visit

My Westfield News review of the Tony Award winning "The Band's Visit" at The Bushnell through Sunday. https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-beautiful-music-immense-charm-in-the-bands-visit/