A new board member!

Mark your calendar with the Roebling Piano Trio on Saturday, March 8^that St Paul’s.

***“Akhnaten,” by Philip Glass, at the Met***

People have such interesting lives – they’ve lived all over, done this, done that; everyone has a story. One of the perks of running NCMF is getting to know members of the board: people from all walks of life who share a love of music and a strong belief in the importance of community. We have a few new board members and today I’d like to introduce Laurel Grassin-Drake.

‍Where do you hail from?

LGD: All over the place! I was born in Buffalo, raised in Kingston (NY) and then Fort Wayne, Indiana, attended college at Swarthmore and then Penn/Wharton for my MBA, moved to New York, then, London, until coming back to the US and settling in Portland, ME. Now we are in Newburyport on Allen Street.

‍You worked for years as a university professor in Ohio State University teaching International Business. What were some of your richest experiences working with young students?‍

LGD: My favorite class to teach was an undergrad class in multicultural management. I’ve always been fascinated by other cultures and how people with different backgrounds interact with one another. One of the most rewarding parts of the class - and this might sound strange coming from a business professor - was seeing the students develop a sense of openness, even compassion, as they gradually became aware of what they take for granted vs. differences between them and others. I loved it when I had students who would say “Oh wow, I didn’t realize how difficult it is for people when English is their second language.” Some students just had never thought about that before. Developing empathy and the ability to see things from another person’s shoes is essential in my field, which is all about working in a multi-cultural environment.

‍What brought you to Newburyport?

LGD: My husband, who is French, took over a small organ building firm, Noack Organ in Georgetown, MA. We were looking for something close that had a real town center and felt alive with a sense of community, and we found Newburyport (with the added plus that it’s close to the ocean).

The interior of St. Ignatius Loyola
on Park Avenue with Didier’s organ

What is the first thing that comes to mind for a transcendent musical experience you have had?

‍LGD: Ubi caritas by Maurice Durufle , which is based on medieval plainchant. Didier and I played it at our wedding as it is also a favorite of his. The first time I heard it was at St. Ignatius Loyola on Park Avenue in New York City. I was playing flute in mass on Sundays and Didier was living temporarily in the church rectory while installing and voicing the church’s organ (he also designed its façade). Since I was involved in the music program, we got to know the organ builders…. And of course, our wedding was in that church!

Link to Ubi Caritas on Youtube — ***Ubi caritas***

‍Who were some of your own musical heroes growing up?

LGD: In high school, I fell in love with flutist Jean Pierre Rampal’s beautiful, liquid, sound. I couldn’t believe a flute could sound like that. He played a gold flute and you could tell it sounded gold.

Link to Pierre Rampal performance of Bach Partita for Flute on Youtube — ***The incomparable Jean Pierre Rampal***

Is there is a video of one great performance you’d like to share?

‍ LGD: During Covid I was riveted by Akhnaten at the Met. Neither one of us are opera people, but there was something just so amazing about that performance.

Link to Akhnaten video clip on Metopera site — The trailer for “Akhnaten."
I mean, wow.

Do you have a favorite spot around Newburyport that you are particularly drawn to?

LGD: I love just walking around town, looking at all the old houses. A French relative was floored by how different all the colors of the houses are. I also love Hale Park. It is a tiny, island of calm that pops out of nowhere. , and I find it a very meditative space.