Rockport Music fosters an appreciation of and accessibility to music through continuing school and community educational outreach, including free concerts for the public, to ensure accessibility for all.

Having begun in the primary school, Rockport Music develops and presents educational programs across the grade levels in schools on Cape Ann and beyond. Rockport Music’s premier mini residency programs bring acclaimed musicians and ensembles into the public school music classrooms, where the musicians immerse themselves in the classroom curriculum, providing interactive learning experiences for students of all ages. These mini residency programs culminate in a free evening performance for the community.

Rockport Music endeavors to enrich the concert-going experience of its audiences, with lectures and other educational programs throughout the year. Lectures in the spring for adults cover a range of musical topics to help deepen our understanding and appreciation of chamber music.

Saturday, October 16
Community Day
Music and activities in conjunction with Rockport’s Harvest Festival

9 am: Drum Circle, Main Hall SLPC: Interactive presentation with Abe Finch.

10 am: Make Your Own Instrument, 3rd Floor SLPC: Artist Allison Landoni and string instrument craftsman John Stewart, along with volunteers and students. From simple shakers to a cigar box guitar, make an instrument you can play!

11 am: Storyteller Susan Reed, Main Hall SLPC: Songs and stories for all ages.

12:30 pm: Celtic Fiddle and Step Dancing, Main Hall SLPC: Listen to Irish and Scottish favorites and learn a step dance or two, with Emerald Rae and Sean Connor.

2 pm: The Wizard of OZ, Main Hall SLPC: Come see Judy Garland, Jack Haley, and Ray Bolger in the 1939 classic.

An admission charge of $5 for youths 18 and under and $10 for those over 18 gives access to the Shalin Liu Performance Center from 9 am to 3:30 pm, with a maximum admission charge of $20 per family. Attendees may leave the building and comeback for a later event.  For those of any age who only wish to see the movie, the charge is $5.

Abe Finch is a Boston area percussionist and educator, with degrees from UMass Lowell and the New England Conservatory of Music. Abe is an active performer who has appeared with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Boston Brass. As an educator he is chair of the percussion department at Indian Hill Music Center, and also teaches at Salem State University and the Groton School. Abe is particularly interested in using percussion with children to inspire and cultivate their imagination and talent.

Susan Reed is a classical violinist, folk musician, singer, and storyteller. Her performances combine music, story, and humor – all in an interactive presentation which seeks to encourage people to think about the world – and people – around them.

Emerald Rae is a National Scottish fiddle champion and graduate of Berklee College of Music. Her music is an eclectic mix of fiddle styles, pulling influences from Scotland, Ireland, Appalachia, and Scandinavia. She runs popular Celtic fiddle sessions in Cambridge and Gloucester, and often combines fiddling with step dancing.

Sean Connor hails from County Mayo, Ireland. Born into a musical family, Sean began fiddling at age 8, and counts both Sliabh Luachra and Sligo fiddle styles as influences. He is active in several Celtic ensembles in the Boston area, and also plays with the traditional Irish band Rud Eile.