As with all performing arts organizations, our festival is only possible due to the extraordinary efforts of so many people. While our board may not set foot on stage, they deserve a curtain call all of their own. We are so grateful for their tireless efforts, expertise, and enthusiasm. A big thank you to our entire board:
Umesh Bhuju, Jacob Borgman, Chris Crockett, Susan Glessner, William Flemer, Jamie Hickey, Carolyn Savarese, Jenny Vellante, Kristen Buxton Vigsnes.
Read below to find out what MSCM means to our board, in their own words.
Chris Crockett
I walk by the barn nearly every day; when I pass the large wooden doors I am joined by Astor Piazolla, Vivaldi, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Caroline Shaw. All wonderful company as I head towards Cedar Point and round the corner to the ocean….
Bill Flemer
I love this musical collaboration of talent and friendship. How these wonderful young musicians first crossed paths, became fast friends, and now – despite all their scattered and busy lives – still manage to reconnect each year to bring us beautiful summer music.
Kristen Buxton Vigsnes
This summer I will miss that moment when the musicians first walk onto the stage, the lights dim, the candles sparkle, and the first notes flow through the barn. The synergy between the place, the people, and the music is exceptional.
Jacob Borgman
I joined MSCM to help provide a stage for musicians who can, in turn, elevate the rest of us. My favorite MSCM memories are moments within the music, like Puccini’s Crisantemi, with that magical transition from “un poco affretando” to “a tempo, con molta espressione”.
Jenny Vellante
No matter our stories, life histories, diverse interests and abilities – experiencing beautiful music performed live by those who have dedicated countless hours to their instrument, whether voice or string, is extremely impressive and inspiring. To have all this in a bucolic local setting on summer nights, with crickets singing along and ocean air to breath, gives soul to my summer. It’s a joyous honor to be part of MSCM. I look forward to joining forces once again in the 2021 season!
Carolyn Savarese
Why you may ask is Carolyn attaching a photo of her standing with her father, Lou Savarese? The simple answer is: everything I know and love about music and live performance I learned from Lou.
At a young age, Lou took me to the MET Opera, to Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, to Tanglewood and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He had me listen to Texaco Live Broadcasts piped outdoors while raking leaves when I was in junior high-school, teaching me what to listen for in a tenor while at the same time instructing on the proper way to bag leaves. When my mother was in the hospital, Lou took me to see Leonard Bernstein conduct the New York Philharmonic, and made sure I was well dressed for the occasion, in fine stockings, black leather gloves, satin purse. He gave me the courage to stand up and shout: BRAVO! I received my first set of opera glasses from Lou (mother of pearl); in turn I gave him conducting batons and scores of CDs. In later years when I traveled throughout Europe for my work, I’d call him to tell him which opera or concert I was going to that evening… Boris Godunov in Leningrad, Tosca at La Scala, Rigoletto at La Fenice, a Dvorak symphony in Prague, exquisite choral music in Dubrovnik. Why am I telling you all this? When I brought Lou to his first Barn Concert at Castle Hill in August 2016, he stood silent for a while, then turned to me and said with his blue eyes glistening, “Oh, this is special, quite special.” That was huge coming from Lou. Thereafter he enjoyed 4 fabulous seasons of MSCM. Lou died in December 2019, and while cleaning out the contents of his home, I discovered that he kept every MSCM program and lapel sticker from every single MSCM concert in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. He never won the bottle of gin, but happily made new friends to his left and right at concerts. He donated modestly to our cause. Perhaps his lasting contribution is that he encouraged me always to get involved and to do whatever I could to support the magic and wonder that Manchester Summer Chamber Music brings to so many every August. Except this one.