Soprano Claudette Peterson, formerly with New York’s City Opera, and renowned bass-baritone David Kline, will present a master class for singers at the Martha’s Vineyard High School on Monday. Dan Murphy, director of music at the high school, arranged for the class to give interested students the opportunity to work with these world-class artists and to introduce them to Operafest 2008, a summer program for which Mr. Murphy will serve as choral conductor and accompanist.
Three questions came to mind as I headed out this past Friday to see Berklee College of Music students and faculty work their therapy magic on the Island. One, can you ever get high school kids to sit around and pay attention? Two, is there a career in music therapy? And three, can nursing home residents carry a beat?
After logging many long hours on the couch and mindlessly devouring one too many buttery bags of popcorn, the votes are in. No, not for the Oscars, but for the official selections of the eighth annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. The brains behind the wintertime event are so excited about the roster they have decided to host a special kick-off screening more than a week before the festival officially begins.
Who is Maynard Silva, anyway?
Certainly, he is a classic blues man.
Island born and raised, Mr. Silva has appeared on stages on and off the Vineyard for nearly 40 years, his voice a familiar throaty growl.
His public persona is the sheen on a core of enormous strength and wisdom, shaped by time and pressure.
Maynard Silva is the sum of the elements of his life code: tradition, humility, the value of relationships and of mentors. And he has a wriggling delight in our inexhaustible opportunities to experience joy in life.
Touring musicians are supposed to say they like the venue they’re about to play.
John Cruz and the Island?
You can’t shut him up.
Open Mike at Island Co-Housing, a new monthly series that continues Friday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m., is designed to encourage any and all youngsters to play and enjoy each other’s music.
When organizer Paul Lazes read an article in the Gazette a few months back about surveys revealing the alarming attempted suicide rate at the high school, he decided he needed to take action. “It is my firm belief that a vibrant music scene of young performers is achievable on the Vineyard,” he said.