More than 50 years ago, Jim Bolle and his wife Jocelyn began Monadnock Music, a program of traveling musicians to play in churches, granges and town halls in the small villages of the Monadnock Region, with the singular focus on presenting world-class music in small, rural venues.
These free concerts in the quintessential New England settings fostered a deep connection between performers and audience. Even though founder Jim Bolle has passed, his legacy lives on, and continues to thrive and strengthen.
And a new chapter will begin after the selection of Rafael Popper-Keizer as Monadnock Music’s new artistic director.
After a 10-year tenure, Gil Rose has stepped down as artistic director to concentrate on other activities.
“I look back at my nine seasons at Monadnock Music with many fond memories. I’m very proud of the music we brought to the community, orchestra concerts, choral concerts, opera and the critically acclaimed recordings. Most of all I enjoyed getting to know the people of the region. I look forward to returning in the future,” Rose said.
But Rose will continue to collaborate with Monadnock Music into the future.
“We are profoundly blessed to continue with the collaboration of Gil Rose, an award-winning and Grammy Award nominee Conductor,” said Laina Barakat, General Manager of Monadnock Music. “Gil has been instrumental in raising the visibility and prestige of Monadnock Music throughout the country.
Popper-Keizer has been performing with Monadnock Music for the past 17 years, so it’s a face many will recognize.
“Monadnock Music has been an integral part of my life and one of the primary catalysts for my growth as an artist and musician. It has also been an indelible part of my family’s life: my wife and I have watched our children grow up every summer in the Monadnock region, from infancy to young adulthood. As I consider how much Monadnock Music means to me, I am filled with admiration for this festival’s magnificent history – and tremendous enthusiasm for its future,” he said.
For more, visit www.monadnockmusic.org.