Annandale-on-Hudson — The Orchestra Now (TŌN) will begin its 2021 season with two concerts, to be livestreamed from the Fisher Center at Bard College, on February 7 and 21, led by Leon Botstein and James Bagwell respectively. Both programs for string orchestra will offer pieces by underrepresented composers, including a new work by composer/percussionist Sarah Hennies written for the Orchestra and the Bard Music Program, where she is on faculty. Her work is concerned with a variety of musical, sociopolitical, and psychological issues including queer and trans identity, love, intimacy, and psychoacoustics.
Additional rarely-heard music will showcase Popcorn Superhet Receiver, a work by English composer Jonny Greenwood, the lead guitarist and keyboard player of the alternative rock band Radiohead; and Serenade for Strings by the Venezuelan composer, pianist, and singer Teresa Carreño, who played for Abraham Lincoln at the White House in 1863.
Upcoming highlights in the 2021 season include a concert led by assistant conductor Andrés Rivas (March 7), a performance with resident conductor Zachary Schwartzman (March 20), and two concerts led by music director Leon Botstein (April 10 and May 1).
RSVP online starting on January 27, to receive a direct link to the livestream on the day of the concert. Concerts also will be available for delayed streaming on TŌN’s digital portal, STAY TŌNED.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Waldorf School announces new first grade teacher, virtual event
Great Barrington — Berkshire Waldorf School (formerly Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School) announced the appointment of Gary Osborne as first grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Families whose children will be six by September 1, 2021 and interested community members are invited to meet Mr. Osborne and BWS subject teachers at the school’s Meet the First Grade Teachers event, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. Parents and caregivers can register for this live, virtual event on the BWS website.
Mr. Osborne grew up outside Dallas, Texas, where he developed a love for the performing arts. Throughout college in Santa Fe, N.M. and his graduate studies at the University of Washington, Mr. Osborne trained in costume design for opera and theater. Working as a designer regionally and in New York City led Mr. Osborne to a decade-long fashion design career in both New York and China. Participating in Waldorf parent-child groups with his own young children inspired him to complete his Waldorf teacher training at Sunbridge Institute in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. He also earned a second master’s degree in Art Education at The School of Visual Arts, New York. Most recently, Mr. Osborne has taught at the High School of Art and Design in New York City and Sag Harbor Elementary School.
—A.K.
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Spencertown Academy Arts Center announces winter writing contest
Spencertown — Spencertown Academy Arts Center announces the “Community Writes” winter writing contest. Selected fiction and non-fiction pieces will be published on the Academy website in March. The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2021.
Guidelines:
- One submission per person
- Choose a category: fiction or non-fiction (essay, memoir)
- 1500 words maximum
- Submissions will be read and judged anonymously by a team of literary volunteers. If your piece is selected, you have the option of appearing anonymously.
To submit your work:
- Send your entries (and questions) to story@spencertownacademy.org
- Send your work as an attachment in an unlocked document format, such as Word
- Identify your work as fiction or non-fiction, with a title
- Include your name and phone number in the body of your email (not on the work)
—A.K.
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Berkshire Bounty announces February mobile food drive date
Berkshire County — Berkshire Bounty will holds its monthly Mobile Food Drive on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Donated canned and/or packaged goods will be delivered to The People’s Pantry in Great Barrington to help the growing population of food insecure people in South County.
Volunteer drivers go to donors’ homes to pick up canned and/or packaged goods left on their doorsteps. Donors may also drop their food donations at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire or at The People’s Pantry.
Berkshire Bounty is asking for volunteers to donate canned and/or packaged food, drive to pick up donations at food donors’ homes, and/or help unload from driver’s cars as they deliver food to People’s Pantry on the day of the food drive. If you are interested in participating, email info@berkshire-bounty.org. Please include your street address, email address, and telephone number.
To food donors: Foods in most demand are hearty soups, tomato sauce, and cereal. If donating from your own pantry, please check expiration dates.
