Songs From Here: Scrapbook | Presented by Groundwork at 317 Main

Songs From Here is a melodic and poetic celebration of Maine's crafts and trades Groundwork is 317 Main's commitment to Maine's emerging musicians and arts organizations, offering space, mentorship, and hands-on support to help promising work become sustainable. Drawing on more than two decades of experience building community through music, 317 invests its campus, expertise, and network in artists and organizations at a pivotal stage of growth. Songs From Here is a Maine-based initiative that supports locally-written art song, melodies for voice and piano designed to be shared in intimate performance settings. Founded in 2021 by vocalist Sarah Tuttle, Songs From Here has since commissioned dozens of melodies from Maine's composers and presented them in performances around the state; in barns, libraries, and concert halls, from Saco to Surry and beyond. Now in their fifth concert season, Sarah and pianist Bridget Convey present “Scrapbook,” a retrospective program that features 100% Maine-made music. You’ll hear selections from a variety of Maine composers, all commissioned by Songs From Here over the past five Years. The program includes melodies by emerging composers Scott Barber and Emmalynn Craft, as well as songs by John Newell that reflect on the beauty and wonder of Maine’s creatures. Selections from Erica Ball’s Songs From Here suites meditate on abandoned apple trees, simmering stockpots, and remote resting places, and folksong arrangements from Michael Atkinson and Neil Pearlman highlight Maine’s deep ties to work in the woods and on the Sea. We hope you join us for this special program: a reflection of Maine in poetry and song! But what’s art song? An art song is, most often, a musical setting of a poem, usually for a single voice with piano. Late in the 18th century, folks wanted to enjoy music at home, but didn’t have the means to hire musicians whenever they wanted…but they could afford a piano. People learned to play and sing to keep themselves entertained, gradually opening up their homes to fellow singers, pianists, composers and music-lovers creating what’s known as a “Liederabend” (song-evening), in which folks could share, discuss, and celebrate song in a comfortable, welcoming setting. Learn more about Songs From Here at this link.