WINCHENDON — Winchendon Music Festival Director Andrew Arceci has decided that now might be the good time to try something new.
So for the first time, the WMF will offer a winter concert series. But just because it’s happening around the holidays, don’t expect a series of concerts featuring “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” or the “Hallelujah Chorus,” for that matter.
Instead, a variety of musical artists — two soloists, one duo, and a band — will perform on four different dates beginning this Sunday, Dec. 18. Each concert will take place at 7 p.m. at the Winchendon History & Cultural Center, 151 Front St., Winchendon. Other dates set aside for the productions include Tuesday, Dec. 27, Wednesday, Dec. 28, and, Saturday, Jan. 7.
“We thought we would take a different approach with different events throughout the year,” Arceci said. “COVID is still problematic, and I think planning an event a year out or two years out is unrealistic because so much can change. So, we thought we would try a slightly different approach that, when we have the funds available, we’ll go ahead and do concerts.
The show on Dec. 18, will feature William Simms, who specializes in the theorbo, lute, and baroque guitar. Simms, according to promotional matrial from WMF, appears regularly with Apollo’s Fire, The Washington Bach Consort, Ensemble Vermillian, IndyBaroque, The Thirteen and Three Notch’d Road. Venues at which he has appeared include The National Cathedral, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Library of Congress, The Corcoran Gallery, The Kennedy Center and The Barns at Wolftrap. In addition, Simms performed on the Grammy winning “Songs of Orpheus” with Apollo’s Fire and Karim Sulayman.
Arceci said Simms’ performance will feature a repertoire from the Renaissance and baroque periods.
“Of course, there are holidays through December, but we thought there are opportunities to connect with that and on Dec. 27, there will be a program with Asako Takeuchi, a violinist,” Arceci said. “She’s doing an unaccompanied program; and that should be a very meditative program — works by Biber, Bach, some early baroque music. She’s a specialist with this kind of repertoire.”
Arceci said the Dec. 28 concert will be a classical program with artists Philipp A. Staudlin and Yoko Hagino, who specialize in contemporary classical music. The two will pull from some romantic repertoire, but the focus will be 20th and 21st century classical music.
“Philipp plays saxophone, but her primarily classical music on saxophone, which is a very unique niche,” Arceci said. “He and his partner Yoko (on piano) have performed together quite a lot and they’re a unique pair to do this repertoire. So, this will be a new-ish program for this festival, but I think it’s important to expand what we offer.”
The sounds of the festival will take a turn when John Arcaro & Band perform on Jan. 7 with an evening of jazz. He has recorded with Garrison Fewell, George Garzone, Jamey Haddad, Skip Hadden, John Lockwood, Jimmy Madison, Michael Moore, Jack Pezanelli, Bill Pierce, and Mark White — familiar names to jazz aficionados. He is also a member of numerous jazz ensembles and big bands, including the Worcester Jazz Orchestra.
Seating at the Winchendon History & Cultural Center is limited, and though all performances are free, reservations are required. Information and links for reservations can be found at https://www.facebook.com/100057439419622/. Those who would like to be added to the WMF mailing list should contact winchendonmusicfestival@gmail.com.
The Winchendon Music Festival receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Winchendon Cultural Council, other grants, and private donations.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.