The Society for New Music will be sponsoring the 29th season of Cazenovia Counterpoint, a two-week festival and arts showcase held in and around this historic village. This year’s festival hosts 15 events from July 15 through 25. In addition, the Invitational Art Exhibit featuring works by 25 artists will be up in venues throughout the village the entire month of July, with a reception and live art-making performance on July 17. A complete list of events and fees can be found at societyfornewmusic.com.
Cazenovia Counterpoint is a culmination of a wide range of events, from contemporary music and art to writing and family activities. As always, the art is ‘fresh’, and includes several world premieres. Events include the Rising Stars programs (partnering young musicians with emerging composers), concerts focusing on Lincoln and on Eleanor Roosevelt, dance programs in collaboration with Upstate Ballet, and performances by E.S.P. and the J.T. Hall Band. There is also a Musical Storytime, a Writers’ Corner, and a string masterclass. All but two of these events are free admission.
Renowned children’s author and illustrator Susan Keeter will read from her acclaimed “An Apple for Harriet Tubman” during Musical Storytime at 7 p.m. July 17. Interspersed between those readings will be the world premiere of Ralph D’Mello’s “Sing-Song”, a setting of Christina Rossetti nursery rhymes.
New this year will be a Young Composers’ Corner, a tutoring program for high school students wishing to compose. Composer Diane Jones will mentor interested students, with the completed works read by the Society’s professional musicians from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25 during Family Arts Day. The event includes activities such as a Poetry Round-Robin, a string masterclass with cellist Elinor Frey, and a concert of music and dance.
Why a festival of the arts? Neva Pilgrim, co-founder of the Society for New Music, explained that “musicians and composers find inspiration in the other arts. At the same time, artists often paint to music, and writers are inspired by sights and sounds both man-made and natural.”
The Society seeks to enhance the musical community in Central New York and to provide opportunities in various contexts so people of all ages are conversant with the music of their time.
For a complete listing of events, tickets or more information, contact Mary Ellen Brzozowski or Neva Pilgrim at 251-1151 or 446-5733 and [email protected] or [email protected], respectively. The society’s website is societyfornewmusic.org.
