Music & Invention: A Concert and Lecture with Tod Machover and Friends at Concord Conservatory

Join us when we welcome internationally acclaimed renowned composer, inventor, and educator Tod Machover of the MIT Media Lab for the MUSIC & INVENTION CONCERT AND LECTURE on Friday, March 8th, 7:30 pm!

Explore how music and invention interact and influence each other.

Concord, MA—February 6, 2024: How does music inspire new ideas and inventions? How do composers use invention to create new sounds and experiences? How does music reflect and transform the world we live in?

These are some of the questions that will be addressed at the Music & Invention Concert and Lecture, presented by the Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) on Friday, March 8th at 7:30 pm. Join renowned composer, inventor, and educator Tod Machover of the MIT Media Lab to explore the multi-faceted relationship between invention and music. Performed by CCM faculty artist, pianist Yoko Hagino, guest violinist Charlie Lovell-Jones, guest cellist Ariana Falk, and graduate students from the MIT Media Lab, this promises to be a wild ride of music and celebration of bold but beautiful ideas.

Featuring works by J.S. Bach, Frederic Rzewski, Liza Lim, Marianne Amacher, Pauline Oliveros, and three recent compositions by Machover, including the U.S. Premiere of Resolve Remote for violin and electronics. Witness how a musical idea can develop into a full-length composition, how music can mirror and adapt to its environment, and how composers can challenge and expand our listening habits.

From bow-and-string to new interactive interfaces and from AI to singalong, please join us for a very unusual evening of sounds and ideas that will spark imaginations, open minds, and bring delight. Whether you are interested in classical, experimental, or electronic music, you will find something to appreciate and enjoy.

Get your tickets today at ConcordConservatory.org. We thank our Lead Sponsor, Emerson Health, and our Supporting Sponsor, Middlesex Savings Bank, for making the 2023-2024 CCM Concert & Lecture Series possible. The Series is also supported in part by a grant from the Concord Cultural Council and Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council, local agencies that the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, supports. Thanks to our sponsors, we can bring quality and diverse concerts to our community.

About CCM Concord Conservatory of Music: It is a community of people who are passionate about music education. CCM enrolls over 500 students annually and offers programs for all ages and abilities. As a non-profit school, CCM serves Concord, MA, and 17 surrounding communities. Its curriculum includes private instruction, group classes, and performance opportunities. Financial assistance is available.

 

 

Concord250 Essay Contest: Calling all Highschool Students living or attending school in Concord

Still heard round the world

 

CONCORD250 ESSAY CONTEST

 

Calling all high school writers!  Compete in a short essay contest to receive a $500 cash honorarium to invest in your future! The top 5 submissions will get published and will receive a $500 cash honorarium.

If you like to write at all, please check out this fun topic and competition to help us celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and earn a Concord250 Certificate just for participating.

 

What is it?

Next year – 2025, Concord and the entire nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution—“The shot heard ‘round the world”.  It is possible that you might be living in Concord another 50 years from now to experience the Tricentennial commemoration in 2075.  What do you think life in America will be like?  What do you think will have changed 50 years from now? What will be the predominant features of life in the nation, physically or ideologically?  What will have happened to Concord? What will have drawn new residents to Concord, or what might have caused residents to leave? Any of these and all other topics can be the issues that you may look into to foresee and describe what will be known and common in the year 2075.  Your essay is to describe what will be. What do you think?

 

Who is eligible and what do I have to do?

Students in grades 9 – 12 who are living in Concord or attending school in Concord are eligible.

You have to write an essay of no more than 1000 words.

You have to submit your essay online here by April 30, 2024.

 

This sounds like a lot of work, is it?

Make it fun.  Interview relatives, neighbors or friends who lived in Concord 50 years ago and get a feeling of how much has changed in the last 50 years. Use your imagination to define your own vision of what you think life will be like 50 years from now. And 1000 words should only take a few hours spread over the next 4 months. But don’t wait to get started!

 

How does my essay get graded?

Use standard written English grammar and mechanics. Give details and examples as needed and cite sources for specialized information that is not your own. Your essay will be evaluated on its clarity, feasibility, use of plausible examples, supporting events, and original concepts.

Our evaluation committee will read your essay and will select from all entries received 5 entries that are judged to best develop and detail their vision of what will be, in accord with the criteria given above.

All entrants will receive a Concord250 certificate of participation and the top 5 selected entries will receive $500 honorarium and will be published.

In 2075, you will be able to reread your essay and realize how accurate your vision and prediction was!

 

We thank you for your willingness to participate and offer your thoughts and expectations on our future.

List of Concord’s Houses of Worship Holiday Services

Schedule of Services at Concord’s Houses of Worship

 

First Church of Christ, Scientist

7 Lowell Road, Concord

Sunday services 10:15

First Parish in Concord

20 Lexington Rd. 978 369-9602

Sunday services at 10 a.m.
Dec. 24 services

4pm:Rev. Paul Langston-Daley and music by the Gospel Choir

8PM: Rev. Seth Carrier-Ladd and music by the First Parish Choir

Holy Family Parish 

12 Monument Sq., Concord

Dec. 24 services at 4pm, 6pm and 10:30pm
Dec. 25 services at 9:30am

Kerem Shalom

December 13,  5-6pm: Chanukah Celebration at Rideout Park

 

New Life Community Church

221 Baker Ave.
Worship services Sundays 10:15 a.m.

December 24: 6pm service

 

Redeemer Presbyterian Church

1276 Main St. 978 254 7353

Worship services Sundays, 11 a.m.

 

St. Irene Parish

181 East St., Carlisle

Dec. 24 services at 4pm and 7:30pm
Dec. 25 services at 11am

Trinitarian Congregational Church

54 Walden St. 978 369 4837

Christmas Eve Services

5 pm Family Service

Congregational Carol Sing (at 4:50 pm)

Vocal solos and duets by Piper and Alden Harring.

Anthems by our children’s choir, with percussionist Carter Hack

8 pm Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols

Prelude Concert (at 7:40 pm) featuring our choir and soloists.

Music by the Lawson Family with Cheryl Shea, and flutist Emily Roos

11 pm   Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols            

Prelude Concert (at 10:40 pm) of music for organ and flute (Emily Roos)

Duets by tenor Lucas Hickman and soprano Sage Stoakley

Trinity Episcopal Church

81 Elm St. 978 369 3715

Dec. 24, Christmas Eve –

10am Advent 4 Holy Eucharist

3pm Holy Eucharist with all ages pageant

5pm Holy Eucharist with Choir and Instruments

10pm Holy Eucharist with Hymns

 

West Concord Union Church

1317 Main St. 978 369 6309

Dec. 24 – No morning service

3;30pm Preludes begin

4pm; All Ages Christmas Eve Service

7:40pm: Preludes begin

8pm: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

 

 

GRAND-SCALE Boston Tea Party Reenactment on December 16th

“The most magnificent movement of all”

John Adams

Celebrate Our Commemorative Year With Us!
December 16, 2022 – December 16, 2023
The United States will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 2023. The Boston Tea Party is one of the nation’s most iconic events and one that propelled America down the road to revolution.

The United States will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 2023. Dubbed by John Adams as the “most magnificent movement of all”, the Boston Tea Party is one of the nation’s most iconic events and one that propelled America down the road to revolution.

In honor of this upcoming anniversary, The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is partnering with multiple organizations, communities, and businesses to create a series of collaborative, inclusive and commemorative programming throughout the entirety of 2023—culminating in a grand-scale reenactment on the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 2023.

  • Special exhibits, artwork, and public programs
  • Community and school outreach
  • Theatrical performances
  • Virtual presentations and webinars
  • Genealogical programs
  • Historical festivals
  • And much more!

Please stay tuned as details are finalized!

For the latest information and events, please visit BostonTeaParty250.org

WATCH IT LIVE! December 16th, 8pm

Visit these sites for more info:

Boston Tea Party Museum

 BostonTeaParty250.org

December16th-Live Stream

More details

 

 

 

 

‘Tis the Season of Giving!

Open Table’s Family-to-Family Gift Bag Program

Spread JOY! Gather your family &  gather items for Open Table’s Family-to-Family Gift Bag Program. Give 12 Days of Joy from your family to another! Sponsor a family or senior this holiday season by building a gift kit over the first 12 days of December. A wonderful way to spread joy this holiday season and as a family, discuss and learn more about food insecurity and how it may affect our neighbors. 

The 4th ANNUAL CC Football Holiday Huddle Toy Drive  

Please consider donating an unwrapped new toy! The CCHS Football Team will collect the toys and will deliver them to the Concord Fire EMS Dept. Read more

 

Donate to the Holiday Gift Card Program

Concord’s Community Services, in collaboration with the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest, invite you to donate a gift card to a Concord family in need. Gift cards from local merchants, supermarkets, restaurants, or big-box stores are all welcome.

 

COAT DRIVE  – Help share the warmth! 

Concord Funeral Home is collecting NEW or gently used winter coats to be donated to “Our Father’s House, Inc.” for those in need in central Massachusetts. Coat Drive runs until Dec . 15. Drop off: 74 Belknap St., Concord  collection box on front porch. 

 

Brighten the Night, through William’s Be Yourself Challenge (WBYC)

WBYC is a local nonprofit dedicated to community events that bring people together for authentic, meaningful connection. It was founded by a group of Carlisle moms trying to support their grieving kids in the aftermath of William Shaw’s sudden death in 2019. We strive to shine a light on mental health and grief awareness. Read more

 

New Year’s Dance Party

Celebrate at a New Year’s Eve local Dance Party, all proceeds will go to Open Table? Save the date!

 

 

 

GIVING TUESDAY: Some ways to give back this season

Give to your Community!

Donate to the 2023 Holiday Gift Card Program

Now through December 8th

The Concord-Carlisle Community Chest invites you to donate a gift card, of any value, to a family in need this holiday season.

Gift cards to local merchants, supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, or big box stores are all welcome, and will be distributed to families in Concord, Carlisle, and at the emergency shelter.

Donations will be accepted through December 8th.

They can be brought or mailed to: Concord-Carlisle Community Chest, 19 Main Street, Suite #2, Concord, MA 01742

Questions? Please contact 978-369-5250 or jperrotta@cccommunitychest.org.

Buy “Holiday Fixins” Bags

Give the gift of Thanksgiving sides and desserts. These bags are available for purchase at Crosby’s Marketplace in Concord for $16.99 and include a box of stuffing, a can of gravy, a can of pumpkin, a box of pie crust, a can of cranberry sauce, salt, Bell’s Seasoning, and aluminum foil.

12 Days of Joy from Family to Family

Sponsor a family or senior this holiday season by building a gift kit over the first 12 days of December. Each day that you add a new item, your family can discuss and learn more about food insecurity and how it may affect your neighbors.

Happening Thanksgiving Weekend in Concord

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? In town for the holiday weekend? Consider these things to do & see on and around Thanksgiving:

Walk / run / stroll in the Open Table Turkey Trot! Get a good morning workout to “make room” for your Thanksgiving dinner, while helping to put dinner on the table for your neighbors. The Race starts at 8:30am on Thanksgiving. Sign up!

Cheer on the CC Patriots in Thanksgiving Day HOME Game vs Lexington, 10am

 

Visit Family Trees Exhibit at the Concord Museum, opens November 22!

Sign up for Indigenous People of Concord Walking Tour

Take a family hike  – visit Concord Land Conservation Trust for trail maps.

Tours of the Old Manse – They offer four types of tours over Thanksgiving Weekend

 

See art exhibits at Concord Art, Concord Museum, Three Stones and The Umbrella Arts

Yoga, crafts and legos at both the Main and Fowler Library on Saturday

Live music at Nosh

Spread JOY! Gather your family &  gather items for Open Table’s Family-to-Family Gift Bag Program. Give 12 Days of Joy from your family to another! Sponsor a family or senior this holiday season by building a gift kit over the first 12 days of December. A wonderful way to spread joy this holiday season and as a family, discuss and learn more about food insecurity and how it may affect our neighbors. 

 

Get in the holiday spirit, get your tickets for these holiday events:

 

Give 12 Days of Joy from Family to Family through Open Table

Sponsor a family or senior this holiday season by building a gift kit over the first 12 days of December. Each day that you add a new item, your family can discuss and learn more about food insecurity and how it may affect your neighbors. Follow us on social media or in your in-box to get information and reminders – or check back here!

This year we again invite you to create a holiday gift bag for either a local family and/or a senior who may be struggling this year. Past donors have said:

  • “Our family is excited to help out this year and we hope our participation will become a new holiday tradition.”
  • “This is a great way for people to contribute. Thank you for letting us help.”
  • “Thank you for the opportunity to share my good fortune.”
  • “Love this project – looking forward to it!”
  • “Thanks for this opportunity. It makes our Christmas a happier one.”
  • “Thank you! This is the most meaningful activity my family does during the holidays!” 

You will be provided with a list of suggested items to fill a gift bag. And we will send reminders and other information each of the first 12 days of December. Please leave all items unwrapped; this will allow us to more easily give the bag to an appropriate individual or family.

Gift bags will be collected in Maynard (33 Main Street) on Friday, December 15, 2-6pm and in Concord (40 Beharrell Street) on Saturday, December 16, 10am-1pm. Clients will receive gift bags with the final food distribution of 2023.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make the holidays more meaningful not only for the families who rely on Open Table, but for your family, too.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the coordinator, Carolyn, at ccoffin@opentable.org

or visit Open Table

Halloween Happenings – Treats for Everyone!

 

10/25: Pumpkin Planters Craft Night

10/26: Halloween Fair at Concord COA

10/26: Trick or Treat on Thoreau Street, a Concord Chamber of Commerce event

 

10/28: Sleepy Hollow 5K

10/28: Concord Family Network Halloween Party 

This month:

Boo! Lawn Sign Campaign – For Pediatric & Adolescent Care at Emerson Health

10/28, 29: Sleepy Hollow-een Tour

10/29: Trunk or Treat

10/29: Family Halloween Party at Barefoot Books, Concord Festival of Authors!

10/29: Concord Museum: Family Halloween Celebration

Until 11/5: Lizzie, The Musical & Axe Throwing!

Coming to see Lizzie? Grab your friends (or your foes) and see who gets the axe! Join us for an pre-show axe throwing experience, brought to you by Revolution Axe Throwing. A limited number of timed, 15-minute slots are available as a ticket add-on while purchasing tickets here.

Thursday, October 26, 2023 5:00PM-7:00PM

Saturday, October 28, 2023 5:30PM-7:30PM

Sunday, October 29, 2023 4:00PM-6:00PM

 

Family Friendly Add On:

Sunday, October 22, 2023, 3PM: Special  Lizzie Kid(S)care Performance! Caretakers can catch the matinee of our thrilling rock musical while the little one(s) create Halloween-themed crafts and have snacks with one of our Umbrella Arts instructors! Limited slots available as ticket add-on, first-come first-served.

 

 

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“Revolutionary Stories” Podcasts – A series of History Podcasts from Freedoms Way

About the Podcast Series

Revolutionary Stories is a collaborative history podcast that explores the enduring legacies of the American Revolution in the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. By connecting stories to place, each episode provides an opportunity to explore the region through a new lens—opening a window into the past, offering a perspective on the present, and sharing a vision for the future.

Join us each month for a new episode and discover the Revolution anew.

 

 

In preparation for the 250th anniversary commemoration of the American Revolution, Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area with support from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati and in partnership with the National Park Service, and local communities, is undertaking an initiative to gather, record, interpret and share both well-known and underrepresented stories about the people, places, events and objects that relate to the period before, after and during the American Revolution in the region.

Revolutionary Stories: The Enduring Legacies of the American Revolution in the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area will bring awareness to the diverse perspectives and experiences of those who lived within the 45 communities that now comprise the Heritage Area during this complex period of history. Stories will be made available through a publicly accessible online repository. Freedom’s Way and our community partners may use this information to develop programming, projects and itineraries that engage new audiences in the story of the American Revolution and its enduring impacts on the social and cultural fabric of our nation.

Revolutionary Stories: Robbins House

320 MONUMENT STREET, CONCORD, MA

 

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: ROBBINS HOUSE

The Robbins House in Concord, Massachusetts was the home of Caesar Robbins, who while enslaved served in the American Revolution and whose descendants continued to advocate for equality and justice.

In this episode, host Patrice Todisco and The Robbins House Executive Director Jen Turner chronicle three generations of a visionary and hugely determined Black family. This moving and evocative story about perseverance and the meaning of freedom begins with Caesar and ends with a woman who committed one of the earliest acts of Black Civil Disobedience.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: ROBBINS HOUSE

Contributors

Guest: Jen Turner, The Robbins House
Host: Patrice Todisco, Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area
Content Developer: Kelsey Perrett
Producer: Timothy Banker
Recording Engineer: Minuteman Media Network

Produced in Partnership with

Concord 250
The Umbrella Arts Center
National Park Service

 

 

Revolutionary Stories: Hancock-Clarke House

36 HANCOCK STREET, LEXINGTON, MA

 

The Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington, Massachusetts is where John Hancock, Sam Adams, and sixteen others were awakened by Paul Revere in the early hours of April 19, 1775, and warned of the British advance.

In this episode, host Patrice Todisco and Lexington Historical Society Programs Manager Sarah McDonough explore historically how we know what we do about what happened there that night and reveal the equally fascinating other players in the story, including the enslaved people who lived here.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: HANCOCK- CLARKE HOUSE

 

Contributors

Guest: Sarah McDonough, Lexington Historical Society
Host: Patrice Todisco, Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area
Content Developer: Kelsey Perrett
Producer: Timothy Banker
Recording Engineer: Minuteman Media Network

 

Produced in Partnership with

Concord 250
The Umbrella Arts Center
National Park Service

Revolutionary Stories: Jason Russell House

7 JASON STREET, ARLINGTON, MA

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: JASON RUSSELL HOUSE

Did you know the Jason Russell House in Menotomy (now Arlington, Massachusetts) is where the bloodiest fighting took place on the first day of the American Revolution?

In this episode, host Patrice Todisco and Arlington Historical Society Museum Director Sara Lundberg discuss how recent high-tech forensics and ongoing research have shed light on what happened here on April 19th, 1775. You’ll discover where the bodies of the men who died in the skirmish are buried and peer into the lives of those who lived in the house, including an enslaved woman named Kate.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: JASON RUSSELL HOUSE

Contributors

Guest: Sara Lundberg, Arlington Historical Society
Host: Patrice Todisco, Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area
Content Developer: Kelsey Perrett
Producer: Timothy Banker
Recording Engineer: Minuteman Media Network

 

Produced in Partnership with

Concord 250
The Umbrella Arts Center
National Park Service