News

What a way to start the year: the largest audience we’ve ever had for a spring concert turning out for the Roebling Trio (I'm not including the bat that strafed the audience). For me, the highlight of the concert was the Piazzolla. On the long drive back to Philly, I was accompanied by the memory of “Oblivion;” this music made me both sad and happy in the sweetest way.  

We also begin the year with a few new board members. Please welcome Paula Quann.

Paula is originally from Westwood, off of 128, but her father worked for ATT and the family moved around before she wound up back in Westwood for high school. After a later stint in California, she eventually settled in Moorestown, NJ, outside of Philadelphia, where I taught her son, a kind young man and gifted cellist. When she moved up to Newburyport a few years ago, they came to the festival and we reconnected.  

‍DY: How did you get into music?

‍PQ: My mother instilled in all five of her children a love of music.  She introduced us to piano at a young age and my two sisters and I also loved to sing.  I was the only one to continue my music studies through college but my siblings, all but one, continued to participate in music-making.  Julie, the youngest, was a lead in several musical productions at the Firehouse in Newburyport and is currently the lead singer in a band in Florida.  

‍DY: Who were some of your musical heroes growing up?

‍PQ: As a music education major, I continued to study the piano and particularly enjoyed the compositions of Debussy and Chopin.  I also loved playing the guitar and listening to folk music; Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor were a few of my favorites. Classical heroes were Luciano Pavarotti, Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma.  The more I listened to string music the more it spoke to me.  Alas, I am not a string player but my 2 daughters are violinists and my son Jonathan, whom David taught, is a cellist.  Michael, my youngest, who started playing violin at age 5, looked at me one day and said, “why did you sign me up for this stupid instrument, you know I want to play the piano.”  And so he does; with great finesse!

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

‍PQ: As a music educator I have taught piano, general music, musical theater, and choir; my favorite being choir.  The highlight of my career was as the Youth Music Director at a Catholic Church in Moorestown, NJ.  I had the privilege to direct a Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, High School Praise Band and High School/Middle School String Ensemble.  One of the highlights of my career was conducting the String Ensemble’s performance of Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.  The church was packed and the audience on their feet before the last note was played; a thrill for all of us!

‍DY: In addition to conducting the children’s choir at Immaculate Conception, you have other musical irons in the fire locally, yes?

‍PQ: After retiring and moving north to be near our daughter and her family, I found myself missing my students and the ministry I had left behind.  Gratefully, I am now involved in the music ministry at Immaculate Conception Church here in Newburyport.  I direct the Youth Choir, sing in the Adult Choir and am also one of the Cantors.  On Friday’s I play the piano in a small ensemble that leads a Sing-Along at Avita, an all-memory care community in Newburyport.  Needless to say, I am very blessed to continue to have so many musical opportunities.  

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DY: Do you have a favorite spot in town or a place to walk?

‍PQ: My husband and I are enjoying the area with its proximity to northern NE, the beautiful parks and the rail trails, especially those along the river.  Newburyport has so much to offer and we hope to continue to enjoy it for years to come.

‍David Yang, Artistic Director