NEW GLOUCESTER – The United Society of Shakers at Sabbathday Lake will host the second annual Maine Festival of American Music, Its Roots and Traditions, June 20-23 at the historic Shaker Village.
The festival – which traces the development of American music from its European roots to the 21st century – will be directed by members of the Portland String Quartet, who have been performing and teaching internationally for 38 years.
The PSQ has had a close personal and artistic connection to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community throughout its career. The quartet’s arrangements of Shaker hymns, a steady feature of its concerts and educational work, will be featured at each public concert.
Festival highlights include guest composer Elliot Schwartz, Maine’s premier composer and Professor Emeritus, Bowdoin College, introducing the world premier of his “Shaker Variations” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the Shaker Meeting House.
Thursday evening’s lecture/demonstration at 7 p.m. at the Shaker Meeting House will explore the music that came to define a unique spirit for the nation’s concert music.
On Friday, June 22, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., there will be a public tour of the Shaker Village and a master class with the PSQ, including a presentation by David Sanderson on the history and artistry of Maine fiddler Mellie Dunham.
The final festival concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Shaker Meeting House will feature the PSQ playing works by Walter Piston, George Whitefield Chadwick and Antonin Dvorak.
Portland String Quartet members are Julia Adams, Stephen Kecskemethy, Ronald Lantz, and Paul Ross. More than two dozen recordings reflect their expertise in the chamber music repertoire from Bach to living composers.
Advance reservations are recommended because seating is limited. Call the Shaker Museum at 926-4597. Concert tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors; free for students 21 and younger.
The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is just off Route 26 on the Shaker Road.
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