20 Oct “REST IN PEACE” A Concert

In honor of All Souls Day, November 2, Friends of Music at Guilford and Brattleboro Area Hospice—celebrating its 35th Anniversary in November—are collaborating on a concert that afternoon fittingly titled “Rest in Peace.” Beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Guilford Community Church, the program includes two song series and a number of instrumental interludes.

Eight songs in a variety of styles will be included from ten composed earlier this year for “Rest in Peace: The Gravestone Epitaph Project” by Tom Baehr, a Putney resident. The texts, some rather entertaining, are from New England graveyards. In addition to his composing skills, Tom is also a multi-instrumentalist, sings in several regional choral groups, and has been conducting the Guilford Chamber Singers since 2012.

The second collection of six songs comprises “An Untimely Frost: Songs from the Old Antrim Center Cemetery.” These quite poignant pieces, set in West Gallery style to suit the era of their texts, are by Haverhill, Massachusetts, composer Bruce Randall, another multi-instrumentalist and singer who has performed in past Friends of Music holiday programs.

The songs will be performed by a group of regional voices gathered specially for this concert, as well as both composers. Musical interludes to suit the theme will be performed by an ensemble of Guilford Chamber Players, including Amy Cann, Jenny Holan, and Linda Hecker, among others.

A bountiful teatime reception follows the performance. Admission is $10 per person at the door.