Guilford, Vt. – Now in its 50th concert season, Friends of Music at Guilford is staging its series finale at a hilltop property in Guilford. The main house and yard overlook an impressive view of neighboring and distant hills, and the recently constructed barn offers shelter in case of inclement weather. The festivities are set for 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.
As usual, the annual A Cappella à la Carte menu offers three distinct elements: a membership meeting, a community potluck, and a vocal concert. The brief and entertaining Annual Membership Meeting sums up the year’s events, introduces plans for the following season, and offers a slate of trustees for a vote, among other agenda items. The gathering is open to all interested folks, but only members can participate in any voting; one can join the organization on the spot to participate fully in the meeting.
The Community Potluck begins by 5:45 or so and will include both a meat and veggie main dish option. Guests are asked to contribute appetizers, salads, side dishes, and other entrees. Potluck desserts will be added to a post-concert reception featuring an anniversary cake, ice cream and sundae fixings, and a champagne toast. A variety of non-alcoholic beverages will also be provided.
The A Cappella Concert at 7:00 p.m. will feature the 15-member Guilford Chamber Singers in a program of Love Songs from the 16th century (John Dowland, Robert Jones) to the 19th and 20th (Charles Villiers Stanford, Gustav Holst), including a taste of Broadway and American pop, plus a few of Sara Teasdale’s evocative poems recently set to music by Tom Baehr, director of the Chamber Singers since 2012. The Singcrony women’s quartet — Ruth Allard, Beth Kiendl, Andrea Matthews, and Carrie Walker — will offer a set of Swing Jazz classics from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s.
Assembled photo albums, videos, posters, and memorabilia from the past five decades will be displayed, and a few surprises of a musical nature may punctuate the celebration. Admission for A Cappella à la Carte is free, with donations encouraged to support FOMAG’s 50th Season.
Reservations are required for food planning and further directions, so please contact the FOMAG office at (802) 254-3600 or office@fomag.org.