Those of us living in the Monadnock region understand its appeal to visitors. People are drawn to this part of New England for the charming, quiet village atmosphere our Monadnock towns offer, along with good food, spectacular scenery, and cultural and artistic offerings often found only in much larger cities and their appreciative audiences.
These are some of the reasons institutions like MacDowell thrive in the Monadnock region, just as Peterborough Players and other arts-related institutions have no trouble bringing in guest artists for their seasons.
Viva Bach Peterborough is the newest of these institutions to attract world-class talent and this year, its fifth season, is no exception. Founders Veronika Schreiber and Cathy Lanigan hoped to create a unique and intimate event dedicated to presenting Johann Sebastian Bach’s powerful music to the broadest possible audience while also showcasing the vocal and musical talents of those living in this region. To do this, they founded Viva Bach in 2022 as a non-profit organization.
For a non-profit, housing visiting artists is always a challenge. This is one of the downsides of living in the Monadnock area: there are few affordable places to house visitors within an easy drive of our small towns and villages. Bed-and-breakfasts take up some of the slack — as do our small inns and hotels — but to date a large inn or hotel with affordable rooms positioned alongside any of our roadways is, at least to me, unimaginable for any number of reasons.
Peterborough Players faced this issue years ago and built enough cottages on their property to house both staff and guest artists. However, this isn’t a viable solution for most other arts organizations in the Monadnock region. Andy’s Summer Playhouse continually faces this same challenge as do Monadnock Chorus and Viva Bach Peterborough. Their reputations for offering original, well-conceived programs mean renowned performers want to be part of our regional programs. At the same time, arts funding is drying up, leaving these organizations with ever-smaller operating budgets.
One way they address this is by having board members and patrons provide housing for guest artists. As you may know from past articles, I am one of those who provide housing in my Wilton home to out-of-town visitors for whatever time they are in the area. I have extra space, and it gives me a chance to support the arts institutions that make living in this area so enriching, and that also give me something back. Not only do I learn more about other lifestyles, perspectives, and experiences, but I may even witness their talents in my own home.
In another column, I recently referred to my distant past, when I lived in a large New York City apartment filled with cello and flute music played by roommates or near neighbors. I learned much about music and what it takes to be more than merely a good musician by listening to it being played and through the discussions we shared.
This is one reason I’ve willingly offered to share my living space with visiting artists of all varieties. Additionally, by offering to house guest artists, I am, by default, contributing to the financial well-being of these local institutions. As Cathy Lanigan of Viva Bach Peterborough explained to me in a recent conversation, “Having places to house our artists is a matter of survival to us as it is to most of the organizations in the Monadnock region. This year housing could cost more than $40,000, and our operating budget is nowhere capable of handling such expenses. If we didn’t have people offering their homes for a few nights to house our performers, we would not be able to continue. Instead, we are celebrating our fifth year of existence in part thanks to our volunteer hosts.”
She added that beyond the festival weekend, Viva Bach Peterborough offers lectures, musical demonstrations, and educational programs to deepen our understanding and appreciation of Bach’s music.
I ask you: How often have you wanted to learn more about someone whose writings, art, compositions, musical talents, directing, or acting ability you admire, but don’t have time to discuss in the few moments you’re granted when meeting them post-performance or at another meet-and-greet? If you’ve ever felt this way, then perhaps you should step up and offer to host guest artists from outside our area. I’ve found no one to be demanding or difficult to live around. Instead, they are often more than willing to match your lifestyle in appreciation for the chance to stay nearby. Finally, if you have children, reaching out to an organization dedicated to children’s arts could enrich not only your life, but your children’s as well.
The chance to open your life to new experiences is right here in your own neighborhood without having to travel.
Cathy Lanigan suggested that if housing a guest artist appeals to you, email any arts organizations you admire and let them know you would like to house one of their guest artists in the future. She added that you can reach Viva Bach Peterborough at vivabachpbro@gmail.com.