Songs From Here

THIS EVENT IS BEING MOVED INSIDE THE EMERY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER

Songs From Here is a new initiative intended to connect poets, composers, and performers in the beautiful state of Maine, to promote local talent and foster a greater sense of community across creative disciplines.

An inaugural series of performances given by pianist Bridget Convey and classical vocalist Sarah Tuttle is scheduled to take place during the summer and early fall of 2022. Songs featuring texts by some of New England's best-loved writers, including Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow comprise some of the program material.

Maine composers are at the heart of this program. It will feature a brand-new set of songs commissioned in 2021 and written specifically for this project by Portland-based composer Erica Ball. Dan Sonenberg has put together a new song arrangement for the initiative, and the program will include solo piano works by John Newell and John Knowles Paine.

While the musical offerings will be the same throughout the series, each performance will feature poetry written and read by local talent. This inclusion of local poets in the body of the performance gives each concert a unique local feel and provides a welcoming and accessible atmosphere for music and poetry fans alike.

Songs From Here will be bringing this program to a variety of locations around the state, in venues ranging from barns to churches to concert halls. Tickets are available through the individual venues, all of which are listed on the Songs From Here Facebook and Instagram pages.

Songs From Here can be found on Facebook or Instagram @songsfromhere. For more information, please contact songsfromhereme@gmail.com.

SARAH TUTTLE  Sarah Tuttle is an inquisitive classical singer committed to sharing music with her listeners. Beginning her musical study as a pianist with a deep interest in music theory, the intimacy and authenticity of the human voice lead her to pursue degrees in music and later a career in performance that took her overseas.

Committed to contemporary vocal music and collaboration with composers, Sarah is delighted to have participated in the creation of new works. In the summer of 2015 she gave the world premiere performance of John Harbison's Seven Poems of Lorine Niedecker with pianist Ursula Oppens, garnering praise from the Wall Street Journal for her "fine balance of energy and introspection," and "open and engaging presence on stage." In 2013 she was the soprano soloist in the world premiere of Avner Dorman’s Letters from Gettysburg, a work commissioned for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War battle. Other performances of note include the Boston premiere of Shawn Jaeger's The Cold Pane and a performance of Jonathan Harvey's Song Offerings as part of the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music.  Shortly after the pandemic lockdown began in 2020, Sarah collaborated with award-winning composer Ed Nesbit and ethnomusicologist Thomas Hodgson on Aenigmata, a project featuring musical settings of riddles penned by St Aldhelm, a 7th-Century saint and scholar.

www.sarahtuttlesoprano.com/

ERICA BALL  Translating everyday life into music is at the heart of Erica’s whimsical and playful works. Inspired by the natural world, a childhood spent dreaming of becoming a ballerina, and studies of 20th-century American avant-garde music, Erica is equally at home writing lyrical melodies that sweep across an orchestra and collaborating with animators and circus dancers. Erica resides in Portland, Maine where she is active as a violinist, pianist, and educator with a special interest in bringing contemporary music to new audiences.

www.ericajball.com/

BRIDGET CONVEY  A musician who enjoys performing music of our time, pianist Bridget Convey has found much fulfillment in collaborating with living composers. She has been fortunate to work with composers such as Morton Subotnick, Mel Powell, James Tenney, Daniel Sonenberg, Vineet Shende, Elliott Schwartz, John Newell, and many others. As a soloist and ensemble musician, Bridget has been heard at venues such as Lincoln Center (NYC); Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Los Angeles, CA); Ojai Music Festival (CA); Maybeck Performing Arts Studio (Berkeley, CA); Percussive Arts Society International Convention (Columbus, OH); among many others. She received her Diploma from Mannes College of Music, NYC (Pre-college Division) 1989; BFA from State University of New York at Purchase 1993; and MFA from the California Institute of the Arts 1997. Bridget performs regularly with the VentiCordi Chamber Ensemble; Maine Music Society; and is co-founder/director of the Resinosa Ensemble, with Joëlle Morris (mezzo-soprano) and Eliza Meyer (cello). She can be heard on Navona, Cuneiform, Independent and Nataraja labels. Bridget serves as adjunct piano faculty at Bates College, Bay Chamber Music School and has a private piano studio in Central Maine.

https://www.bates.edu/music/bridget-convey/

CHRISTIE PAUL

Songs From Here Managing Director Christie Paul believes access to music is important for all. Christie brings years of performing experience coupled with administrative acumen to the team at Songs from Here. She is a nonprofit arts administrator and has worked with a number of non-profit organizations, including a community newspaper, an anti-racism development, and a theater. She also serves as Executive Assistant and Associate Choir Director of Sing St. John, dedicated to providing universally accessible singing for all ages on St. John US Virgin Island.

As a staunch advocate of inclusive new music, Christie is passionate about this project and bringing opportunities to Maine’s rich community of performers. Collaboration is at the core of her being and has driven every decision Christie has made regarding her career. This endeavor to facilitate cooperation across art forms to expand the pool of creation and creativity by working alongside local poets is perfectly in line with her ideals.