SONGS
FROM HERE

Songs From Here is pleased to be joining the Portland Conservatory of Music for their Words in Music Festival, in honor of National Poetry Month! Join vocalist Sarah Tuttle and pianist Bridget Convey for a program of Maine-made art song, many featuring lyrics from Maine’s most beloved poets.

Songs From Here is a Maine-based initiative known for collaborating with local poets and composers to create unique, locally-focused, and interdisciplinary performances, often incorporating poetry readings between musical selections.

Our program includes folk-song arrangements from Michael Atkinson and Neil Pearlman, melodies by composer John Newell that celebrate some of Maine’s creatures, songs by emerging young composers, and more. Jeri Theriault will be sharing some of her poetry in this performance, too. Join Songs From Here for an afternoon of homegrown poetry and song!

PROGRAM:

Betsy Sholl with Jake Lichter (keyboards)

Scott Barber: Crossing the Blueberry Barrens

John Newell: Selections from Creatures in Place:
Boulder
Why Do You Ask?
Some Clear Night
Gulls in the Wind

Erica Ball:
Selections from Songs From Here Suites:
Downeast Cooking
Searching my heart
Abandoned Orchards of Maine
Go with the Sun

Emmalynn Craft: Songs for the People

Folksong Arrangements by Michael Atkinson & Neil Pearlman:

Dark Old Waters (MA)
J’entends le moulin (NP)
Woodworker’s Lament (MA)
Le Départ (NP)
Hearth and Fire (MA)

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

American soprano Sarah Tuttle enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer, teacher, and public radio host. Sarah is committed to authentic storytelling, joyful collaboration, and meaningful connection with her audiences – onstage, on the air, and beyond.

From Wagner roles to modern opera, chamber music to art song, Sarah’s performances have been praised for their “fine balance of energy and introspection.” (The Wall Street Journal). Sarah has a special interest in contemporary vocal music and collaboration with composers, and she’s delighted to have participated in the creation of new works. Most recently, Sarah launched Songs From Here, a Maine-based initiative dedicated to commissioning new vocal works from Maine’s composers, and to connecting Maine audiences with art song through performances and residency programs. Songs From Here is now in its third season of concerts, and has introduced new compositions by Erica Ball, John Newell, Marianna Filippi and others to enthusiastic audiences around Maine.

Beyond Songs From Here, Sarah enjoys collaborating with musicians throughout New England. She has appeared as part of TUNDI’s Wagner in Vermont Festival, most recently offering a recital of art songs by Wagner and Brahms. Other recent collaborations include chamber performances with Venticordi, solo appearances with Classical Uprising and the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, and a performance at Merrill Auditorium with organist James Kennerley.

Sarah holds a Masters degree from the Bard Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard College, and a Bachelors degree from the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College. She is proud to have spent two summers as a Vocal Fellow with the Tanglewood Music Center, from whom she received the Grace B. Jackson Prize for Excellence. She makes her home in Portland, Maine.

A musician who enjoys performing music of our time, pianist Bridget Convey has found much fulfillment in collaborating with living composers. She has been fortunate to work with composers such as Morton Subotnick, Mel Powell, James Tenney, Daniel Sonenberg, Vineet Shende, Elliott Schwartz, John Newell, and many others.

As a soloist and ensemble musician, Bridget has been heard at venues such as Lincoln Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ojai Music Festival, Maybeck Performing Arts Studio, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, among many others.

She received her Diploma from Mannes College of Music, NYC (Pre-college Division) 1989; BFA from State University of New York at Purchase 1993; and MFA from the California Institute of the Arts 1997.

Bridget performs regularly with the VentiCordi Chamber Ensemble and Songs From Here with Sarah Tuttle, and is co-founder / director of the Resinosa Ensemble, with Joëlle Morris (mezzo-soprano) and Eliza Meyer (cello). She can be heard on Navona, Cuneiform, Independent and Nataraja labels. Bridget serves as adjunct piano faculty at Bates College and has a private piano studio in Central Maine.