Arcadia Players

Celebrating
20 Years of Historical Performanc

Ian Watson, Artistic Director

Local events

EMA Award

Outreach Concerts

Arcadia "on the road"

House Concerts

Our place or yours?

Arcadia’s Concert Education Program Wins
Early Music America’s Annual Educational Outreach Award

Arcadia Players has been awarded the 2008 Educational Outreach Award by Early Music America, the national organization that fosters and connects groups devoted to pre-19th-century musical repertories. The annual Outreach Award recognizes ensembles or individual artists for excellence in outreach and/or educational projects for children or adults. This year’s award honors Arcadia for the pilot Concert Education Program conducted last fall in the Springfield schools.

In October 2007 Arcadia Players launched the program with Springfield Public Schools to introduce Baroque music and the culture of the period to fifth-grade students and to give them and their families a chance to hear a live Arcadia Players concert. Under the leadership of Anna Polesny Bartoli, Arcadia Players Board President, musicians and teachers Jane Hershey and Laurie Rabut developed a detailed curriculum. Development workshops for Springfield Music teachers and the teachers were provided with written and audiovisual materials for classroom use. After the students completed the curriculum, they attended a special preview presentation of Handel’s Messiah, at which time they were introduced to the original instruments and to Arcadia performers. The program also gave the students and their families the opportunity to attend Arcadia’s December concert of Messiah at Old First Church in Springfield. Ten music teachers and 700 fifth-graders participated in the program.

“We are delighted to be honored in this way by Early Music America,” said Bartoli. “We value the recognition of this program which brings concert education to large numbers of children through the schools in a very cost-effective way.” The $1,000 award will be used for future programs of concert education at Arcadia Players.

In 2008 Springfield Schools will once again host the Arcadia Players Concert Education Program, this year preparing 15 music teachers to introduce the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 to 1100 fifth grade music students with the support of Mass Mutual and the Springfield Cultural Council.

Arcadia Players intends to bring this program to other Pioneer Valley communities in future years and invites representatives of interested schools and school districts to attend the Teacher Education Workshop on October 15 and the Pre Concert Program on December 17, both at Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield. Interested parties please contact Anna Polesny Bartoli at (413) 582 0466 or info@arcadiaplayers.org.

Arcadia "On the road"

Arcadia Players is frequently hired to accompany other musical organizations at venues around New England. We are also increasingly being invited to present programs from our regular concert series at venues outside the Pioneer Valley. For out of town concert programs, schedules, or to book concerts please call the Arcadia Players Office (413-586-8742).

2008-2009 - 20th season

Sunday November 23, 4 pm
Norwich Congregational Church, UCC, Norwich, VT
Cantabile of the Upper Valley, Charles Houmard, director
Two settings of Stabat Mater by Pergolesi and Domenico Scarlatti

Sunday March 29, 4 pm
Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford, CT
Jeffrey Douma, director
St John Passion, J.S. Bach

Here are some of the Arcadia "on the road" events of the past several seasons:

2007-2008 19th season

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, 8 pm
Spaulding Auditorium, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH
Dartmouth College Glee Club, Louis Burkot, dir
Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass

Sunday, May 9, 2008, 4 pm
Ashburnham Community Church, Ashburnham MA
Music of Haydn, Beethoven and Weber
Arcadia Players Chamber Ensemble
presented by Historical Piano Concerts and Arcadia Players
This program was also presented by Arcadia at Skinner Chapel, Holyoke on May 9, 2008

2006-2007 18th season

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, 8 pm Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Dartmouth College Glee Club, Louis Burkot, dir. Schubert's Mass in G major	Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006, 3 pm St. Paul's Cathedral, 38 High St., Worcester MA Arcadia Players Baroque Orchestra and Chorus, Ian Watson, dir. Handel's Messiah
Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, 8 pm Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Dartmouth College Chamber Choir, Robert Duff, dir. Mozart's Missa Brevis in C, K. 220 and Scarlatti's Stabat Mater

2005-2006 17th season

Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 3:00 pm Assumption College, Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Worcester, MA The Assumption College Chorale, Michelle Graveline, Director "A Baroque Christmas" with music of Pergolesi, Charpentier, Handel & Bach
Sat. Nov. 4, 2005, 8 pm Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Dartmouth College Chamber Choir, Robert Duff, dir. Vivaldi's Gloria and music of Monteverdi	Sat. Nov. 12, 2005, 8 pm Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Dartmouth College Glee Club, Louis Burkot, dir. Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah

2004-2005 16th season

Sun. Oct. 10, 4 pm, 2004 St. Paul's Cathedral, Worcester MA Arcadia Players season-opener of music by J.S. BACH	Sun. Mar. 6, 2005, 3:30 pm St. Martin's Church, Providence RI Museum Concerts of Providence RI. presents Arcadia Players Vivaldi and Contemporaries concert
Sat. Nov. 13, 2004, 8 pm Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Dartmouth Glee Club, Louis Burkot, dir. Bach, Magnificat in D Major	Sat. Apr. 2, 2005, 7 pm Rollins Chapel, Darmouth College, Hanover NH Christopher McMullen-Laird, conductor, Senior Fellow Mozart: Masterworks from 1791: Music from Prague and Vienna
Sun. Feb. 20, 2005, 4 pm St. Paul's Cathedral, Worcester MA Arcadia Players Vivaldi and Contemporaries concert	Sat. June 11, 2005, 7 pm St. Paul's Cathedral,Worcester, MA Salisbury Singers, Dr. Michelle Graveline, dir. A Royal Occasion including Handel Coronation Anthems and Organ Concerto (Ian Watson, soloist), Mozart Coronation Mass and Epistle Sonata.
Fri. Feb. 25, 2005, 8 pm Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Dartmouth Chamber Singers, Robert Duff, dir. Bach, Cantata BWV 78, Jesu, der du meine Seele	Sun. June 12, 2005, 7 pm Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester MA Donald Meineke, dir. Bach, Mass in B Minor

Our place or yours?

Tea and cucumber sandwiches in the drawing room….champagne and canapés under the stars. A houseful of friends and acquaintances… brilliant music to impress and delight...

Haven’t you dreamed of hosting such a party?

Realize this dream and support your Baroque orchestra by hosting a concert to raise funds and make friends for Arcadia Players, offering your hospitality and our music in exchange for your guests’ contributions. (A portion of the contribution is tax-deductible, as are your expenses.)

You provide the guests and the refreshments—whatever suits the unique spirit and style of your home—and we’ll supply the music and logistical support. To get started, please contact the Arcadia Players office (413-586-8742, info[at]arcadiaplayers[dot]org)

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