Rockport Music Annual Report 2020-2021

rockport music

ANNUAL REPORT

2020–2021

ROCKPORTMUSIC.ORG

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THIS YEAR HAS SHOWN ALL OF US HOW IMPORTANT MUSIC IS TO OUR LIVES, NOW MORE THAN EVER.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

above: Rockport Celtic Festival

August 2021 ©matthew muise cover: Kevin Ahfat, piano Rockport Chamber Music Festival 2019

©acadia mezzofanti

LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP

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YEAR IN REVIEW

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EDUCATION

12

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

14

PHILANTHROPIC REPORT

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DONOR LISTINGS

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ROCKPORT MUSIC

LETTER FROM

LEADERSHIP ■

The past couple of years have provided an opportunity for reflection and reaffirmed Rockport Music’s commitment to its mission of bringing “exceptional live performances and creative learning opportunities” to our community—in both Cape Ann and the greater New England region. 2021 was a challenging year, to say the least, but we are optimistic about the future.

In this Annual Report, you will have the opportunity to learn about Rockport Music’s transition during the pandemic to virtual concerts and virtual classrooms for students, as well as a spectacular return to live performances in July 2021 with the celebration of our 40th Anniversary of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. Additionally, the Board of Trustees and staff continue to utilize our recently completed strategic plan that provides our direction for the future, including our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

We are incredibly grateful for all of our donors, trustees, volunteers and staff who have shown such tremendous commitment to Rockport Music during these difficult times. We hope you enjoy this annual report which showcases Rockport Music’s resiliency, adaptability and commitment to continuing its mission, no matter the circumstances. As we continue sharing live music again with other music lovers, we will emerge stronger than ever.

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Tony Beadle

Nina Doggett

PRESIDENT & CEO

BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

A Far Cry with violinists Barry Shiffman & Hana Chang September 26, 2021 ©jon tadiello

MISSION Rockport Music inspires a love and understanding of music through exceptional live performances and creative learning opportunities.

CORE VALUES ■

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Shared live music and learning experiences that intensify the transformative power of music Exceptional performances and creative programming that explore and evolve the art form Support for emerging world-class artists and the next generation of audiences Lasting personal connections with our audiences, performers, volunteers and friends Access to live music and music education for community members An active commitment to the spirit and practices of diversity, inclusiveness and respect in all its governance, operations, programs and activities

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YEAR IN

REVIEW ■

Along with the rest of the world, Rockport Music entered the 2020–21 fiscal year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The performing arts were hit hard as organizations were forced to close their doors. Despite these immense challenges, we ended the fiscal year on a decidedly triumphant note, returning to celebratory live concerts and bringing music-loving audiences back to the hall.

RESILIENCY Even though gathering for live performances was not an option for most of the year, the music never stopped. Rockport Music quickly transitioned to offering state-of-the-art virtual performances, inaugurating the CONCERT VIEW series. These virtual concerts accomplished three major feats—they provided world-class entertainment for an arts-starved population; because they were mostly free and available all over the world on YouTube, they exposed the beauty of our hall to a whole new audience; and finally, the concerts provided work for musicians and artists in a time when employment was very hard to come by. During the fall-spring virtual season, Rockport Music’s jewel—the Shalin Liu Performance Center—was seen by nearly 167,000 homes around the world, including such countries as Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea and Australia. Going all the way through May, the series featured a wide range of performers including stellar classical artists like violinist Timothy Chooi, the Dover Quartet and David Finckel and Wu Han, as well as jazz superstar Kenny Barron, saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, vocalist Alicia Olatuja and clarinet-marimba duo Richard and Mika Stoltzman. This season also brought a Celtic-classical crossover program with harpist Maeve Gilchrist and the Rasa Quartet.

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With a new at-home, virtual audience, the CONCERT VIEW series allowed Rockport Music to continue our mission of sharing world-class music with people. It gave us an opportunity to grow in new directions and provided a spark of joy amidst the gloom of the pandemic.

VIRUTUAL MUSIC SERIES SEPTEMBER 2020 – MAY 2021

20 166,738 7,144 VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS

TOTAL VIEWS David Finckel and Wu Han

TOTAL POST ENGAGEMENT

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Alicia Olatuja

Alexa Tarantino

WHAT A WAY TO CELEBRATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Barry Shiffman ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL & CLASSICAL MUSIC

Never have I felt the importance of music and community as strongly as during the return to the stage this past summer.

There was a genuine attitude of “whatever it takes” that was adopted to bring live music back. Musicians repeated concerts twice for no additional fee, supporters generously provided resources and the wonderful staff delivered an experience that was industry leading. Being part of Rockport Music during this effort has been a privilege and filled me with enthusiasm for the future.

Junction Trio Rockport Chamber Music Festival 2021

Tessa Lark Rockport Chamber Music Festival 2021

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Miró Quartet & Anthony McGill Rockport Chamber Music Festival 2021

Concert hall during the refinishing of hardwood floors

REBUILDING During this downtime, Rockport Music seized the opportunity to come back better and stronger. We undertook several major repairs to the Shalin Liu Performance Center, including refinishing the hardwood floors and stage, kitchen repairs on the third floor and finishing much-needed maintenance to the exterior façade.

Even though we could not have live audiences, this did not mean the hall was empty. Rockport Music hosted 33 rentals (with 27 of those being recordings), most notably Yo-Yo Ma for recording videos for his acclaimed Songs of Comfort and Hope album.

After having been shutdown for over 15 months and suffering a loss of over $1.4 million in ticket revenue for just the 2021 fiscal year, we finally welcomed back audiences on July 9, 2021.

We made our grand return with the Rockport Chamber Music Festival’s Opening Night concert of the Dover Quartet and pianist George Li, which drew a sold-out (distanced) crowd as well as dozens of online viewers. The Festival was spread over three months to ensure that we could host the 40th Anniversary Festival. Unlike previous years, it was held with one weekend in July and two weekends in both August and September.

Dover Quartet Rockport Chamber Music Festival 2021

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40 YEARS OF MUSIC The 40th Anniversary Gala raised a record-breaking amount of gifts for the organization, netting over $275,000. Since the Gala was held on September 26, 2021 (due to the pandemic), the revenue will be realized in FY2022. Because it was such an integral part of the anniversary year, we were pleased we could celebrate the special evening, honoring the founders, leadership and volunteers from the last 40 years who worked tirelessly to build this organization and ensure its future.

The summer also saw the return of the Rockport Jazz Festival, which featured John Pizzarelli and Christian Sands among others, and the Rockport Celtic Festival with co-artistic directors Brian O’Donovan and Maeve Gilchrist.

Among one of the first in the industry to reopen, Rockport Music wished to ensure audiences felt safe upon their return to the hall. We offered two distance-seated performances for each artist throughout the summer. We also ensured our building itself was safe by confirming that the concert hall’s air filtration system exceeded CDC requirements and determined it was already at hospital-grade levels. With the increase of COVID cases nationally, in August, we were among the first to require masks and proof of vaccination (or negative COVID test) for entry into the building. This decision was met with gratitude and relief from the general public, and also meant that the music could go on.

Maeve Gilchrist Rockport Celtic Festival 2021 ©matthew muise

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Palaver Strings (virtual concert) Rockport Celtic Festival 2021 Kenny Barron (virtual concert)

For those who still felt uncomfortable being amongst a large group of people, we offered virtual performances of the entire summer season, 29 in total.

With the re-opening of the hall, we were thrilled to welcome back our volunteers, who returned to help with ushering for the concerts and served as docents hosting open houses for the hall. The Shalin Liu Performance Center docents hosted a total of 17 open houses with 677 visitors.

Made possible only through the unwavering support of our donors and patrons, as well as the commitment of the staff, Rockport Music weathered the pandemic and returned to live performances from a position of strength.

Rockport Music Volunteers (L–R): Judy Nugent, Valentina Shinskaya, Marjorie Soriano, Dr. George Berlin

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2020–2021

EDUCATION ■

Since schools operated under a hybrid of in-person and virtual models during the 2020–21 academic year, they too became creative with technology.

Educators had to rethink what it means to teach music and what it means to be a musician.

Through the advent of Zoom, Rockport Music worked with Jazz Workshop Director Alexa Tarantino to provide musical engagement through Gloucester’s Virtual Academy classes.

It was met with great enthusiasm for the musically-starved elementary children who participated.

In the winter and spring, the City of Boston’s former Artistin-Residence Shaw Pong Liu was able to virtually connect with Rockport High School students to discuss how music can be used to bring awareness to social issues. The conversations created space for students to think about how they can use their talents to affect change in their own communities.

These workshops were vital lifelines to an isolated student population on Cape Ann, and were integral stopgaps before Rockport Music returned in full force with in-person activities in the fall.

As part of the CONCERT VIEW series in Spring 2021, Rockport Music presented a Virtual Adult Education Series with performances by the Rasa Quartet, klezmer violinist Abigale Reisman, Palaver Strings and Castle of Our Skins.

Now with school back to in-person learning, Rockport Music has eight residencies scheduled in Gloucester and Rockport schools. We are excited to announce that we will soon be expanding our reach into the schools of neighboring Manchester-by-the-Sea and Ipswich.

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Castle of our Skins performing as part of the virtual Adult Education Series below: City of Boston’s former Artist-In-Residence Shaw Pong Liu virtually connecting via Zoom with Rockport High School students

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SCHOOL STUDENTS INVOLVED

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SCHOOLS SERVED: ROCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL GLOUCESTER VIRTUAL ACADEMY (ELEMENTARY)

VIRTUAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS OFFERED

The virtual workshops were vital lifelines to an isolated student population on Cape Ann, and were integral stopgaps before Rockport Music returned in full force with in-person activities in the fall.

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2020–2021

FINANCIAL

OVERVIEW ■

With the Covid-19 pandemic in full swing, Rockport Music was faced with numerous challenges. The hall was closed for concerts most of the year and, once opened, reduced seating capacity was necessary to maintain health and safety. Staff salaries and hours were also significantly reduced.

In July, we were thrilled to welcome our patrons back to live concerts and to bring staff back to full-time status. During the shutdown we successfully applied for and received federal funds under the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and the Payroll Protection programs. These one-time monetary sources allowed us to bridge the gap created by the $1.4 million loss in ticket revenue as compared to our last full year of operation. In addition to this much needed support, we are truly grateful for our loyal and dedicated donors who continued to generously provide philanthropic support throughout our closure and reopening.

This combined support enabled us to return to live performances and close the year with a positive bottom line of $594,000. At the close of FY2021, Rockport Music has total assets of nearly $35 million.

With sound fiscal management throughout these past two pandemic years, we enter 2022 in a fiscally sound and healthy position. We will continue to manage our operations, guided by science and public health recommendations, with the goal of enhancing and continuing to build both our program offerings and our education and outreach.

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Dianne Luby TREASURER

BALANCE SHEET Closed August 31, 2021

FY 2021

FY 2020

716,357

374,821

Restricted Cash & Endowments

16,005,895

12,290,226

Fixed Assets

16,683,438

17,974,371

1,447,575

1,152,007

$34,853,265

$31,791,425

Current Liabilities

1,473,391

627,416

Long Term Debt

2,331,137

2,431,067

Net Assets without Donor Restriction

16,936,019

16,292,586

Net Assets with Donor Restriction

14,112,718

12,440,356

$34,853,265

$31,791,425

REVENUE**

FY 2021

FY 2020

Program

315,729

749,557

1,268,322

1,844,830

Federal Grants

613,038

—

Other

109,620

161,343

1,134,346

1,246,713

$3,441,055

$4,002,443

FY 2021

FY 2020

2,026,119

2,640,292

Advancement (including allocated overhead)

486,947

661,030

Administration

333,448

358,615

$2,846,514

$3,659,937

$594,541

$342,506

Cash & Operating Reserves

Other Total Assets LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

OPERATING REVENUE & SUPPORT REVENUE **Does not include Board Designated Revenue

Contributed

Endowment Distributions Total Revenue OPERATING EXPENSE

Performance & Community Engagement

Total Expenses Change in Net Assets from Operations

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2020–2021

PHILANTHROPIC

REPORT ■

What an outstanding fundraising year we had! We came together during a challenging time to surpass all of our fundraising goals and to host an incredibly successful 40th Anniversary Celebration Gala.

Of particular note is the tremendous support we received from individual patrons and friends who, once again, saw us through a year of uncertainty and provided $1,073,058 for our Annual Fund, surpassing both our goal for FY21 and our Annual Fund results for the previous fiscal year.

Our individual and corporate supporters were key to our extraordinary 40th Anniversary celebration. This milestone event in our history brought our community together after the isolation of the pandemic and raised an additional $275,000.

Thank you to our volunteers, including the Board of Trustees, Trustees Emeriti and Council, as well as our many fundraising committees, for making all of this possible. Thank you to our outstanding staff for providing support and guidance throughout the year.

Most of all thank you to our generous donors. Your loyal and steadfast support ensures a bright future for Rockport Music.

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Jeannie McIntyre DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

GIFT REVENUE FROM ALL SOURCES ANNUAL FUND $1,073,058

93%

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT $34,660

3%

CORPORATE SUPPORT $35,537

3%

DONOR RESTRICTED GIFTS $6,653

0.6%

FOUNDATION SUPPORT $4,000

0.4%

DEVELOPMENT INCOME TOTAL $1,153,908

93%

ANNUAL FUND

Since the 40th Anniversary Gala was technically held in fiscal year 2022 (FY22), and not in FY21, the net revenue from that Gala is not included in the above chart and will be shown in the fundraising results for FY22.

$1,153,908 TOTAL PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT

829

100%

DONORS

86

FIRST-TIME DONORS

59

MEMBERS

PLANNED GIVING SOCIETY

BOARD PARTICIPATION

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WHEN THEY (CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS) SAY “THE SHOW MUST GO ON,” YOU CAN BET IT WILL. ARTISTIC SOULS WILL GO DOWN SWINGING TO SAVE THEIR CRAFT. CREATING IS IN THEIR BLOOD…OUT OF THEIR PASSION CAME VISION, INSPIRATION AND UNEXPECTED PARTNERSHIPS. Northshore Magazine (April 2021)

VOLUNTEERS Rockport Music wishes to thank the volunteers of Rockport Music for their hard work and tireless efforts on behalf of the organization. From ushering and concert operations to assisting fundraising efforts, this stalwart group has been the backbone of the organization since it was founded in 1981.

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Glenn Alto Dianne Anderson Peg Anderson James Barker Ed Becker Dr. George Beilin Stephen Bell Jeff Boudreau John Brennan Ulrike Brisson Millicent Bruce Lois Brynes Jo Ann Buccigrosso Carolyn Buckley Pamela Bynum Mollie and John Byrnes Peter Calkins and Susan Casey Andrew Calkins Janice Cane Sandra J. Canniff

Kathy Carusone J. Robert and Deborah Cassady Suzanne and Craig Cervo Cynthia Chasse Shirley Christenson Chester Clark John Clark Allan Cohen Michael Costello Ian Crown O'Dea P. Coughlin Philip Cutter Jennifer Dawson John Day Priscilla Deck Joanne Demetra Vicki Diez-Canseco Sheila Doctoroff Nina Doggett

Polly Donnelly John and Susan Driscoll Deborah Epstein Donna Fairservice Pat Fenton Martha Finta Joan Flynn Patricia Foster Janice Fullman Barry Gradwohl Susan Gray Sherwin Greenblatt Lindsay and Garth Greimann Susanne Guyer and Thad Carpen Laura Hallowell Beverly Hamlin Karen Hanson and Warren Waugh Susan Harmeling

Bill and Rose Hausman Jerry Hausman Judith Hood Laurie Hudson Clare Hurst Raymond Jenness Sandra Jesse Mary Kellerman Gillian Kellogg Katie Kilty Susan King Mary Catherine Kingsley Alexandra Kirby Chris Klostermann Karen Kosko Sue-Ellen Kresh Mike and Viveca Krueger Janet and Ron Lamkin Sandra Lawrence Barbara L. Littlefield Maryjane Long

©robert benson

Edward Lowenstein Steve Lindo Dianne Luby Kim MacIsaac Lon Mackey Louise and Donald Maier Mary Malone Bela Maranhas Yssabel Marren and Mark Andrew Jane Marshall Rob Martin Mary Ann McGovern† Jeannie McIntyre Janey McSweeney Christy Millhouse Mary Jane Morrill Ned Morse Pamela Morss Elizabeth Moulton

Eileen and Joe Mueller Deborah Nelson Barry Newmark Andie and Jim O’Neill Caren Osterhout Donna Outwater Thomas Padick Elizabeth Parillo Libby Parker Stephen Perry and Oliver Radford LeeAnne Powers Jane Pulkkinen Lory and Paul Ragnio Jean Rees Trish Roach Andrée Robert and Tom Burger Mel Rosenblatt Wally Rowe Gail Roy

Gerard Roy Lynn Saccone Ruth Salinger Eileen Saunders David Scudder Ruth Shane Mary Ann Sherry Hinda Simon Natalie Simon Kathy Skrabut Cameron and Seymour Smith Karen and Richard Smith Andrew Soll Helen Soussou Marjorie Soriano Judy Spurr Barbara Sparks Laura and Randall Stevens

Naomi and Jeff Stonberg Bruce Sunstein Bill Taylor Linda Teahen Susan Turnbull Peter Van Demark Camille Visconti Karin von Trotha-Cohen Winand Van Eeghen and JB Kittredge Maura Wadlinger Susan and Bill Wagner Linda Walker Susan Walker Peter Wernau Patricia Zeigler Margaret Ziering

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GOVERNANCE

AS OF JANUARY 2022

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES EMERITI

ROCKPORT MUSIC COUNCIL

Nina Doggett,CHAIR Ed Becker, VICE CHAIR Jeannie McIntyre

James Barker Stephen Bell Thomas Burger Mollie Byrnes Janice Cane Allan Cohen Susan Gray Garth Greimann Susanne Guyer William Hausman Mary Malone Joseph Mueller Margaret Ziering

Dianne Anderson John Brennan Lois Brynes John Byrnes Andrew Calkins Suzanne Cervo Michael Costello Ian Crown Priscilla Deck Deborah Epstein Sherwin Greenblatt Karen Hanson Judith Hood Gillian Kellogg Susan King Lew Leathersich Edward Lowenstein, M.D. Deborah Nelson Olivia Parker LeeAnne Powers Andrée Robert Melvin Rosenblatt Mary Ann Sherry Hinda Simon Kathleen Skrabut Helen Soussou Barbara Sparks Bruce D. Sunstein Susan Turnbull

VICE CHAIR

Dianne Luby TREASURER

Linda Walker SECRETARY

Peter Calkins J. Robert Cassady, M.D. Philip Cutter Jerry A. Hausman Sandra Jesse Sandra Lawrence Ned Morse Pamela Morss Stephen Perry David Scudder Laura Stevens Naomi Stonberg Winand Van Eeghen Susan Wagner Peter Wernau Patricia Zeigler Tony Beadle PRESIDENT & CEO EX OFFICIO

Barry Shiffman CLASSICAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, EX OFFICIO

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AFTER NOT HAVING MADE MUSIC FOR SO LONG, IT’S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE IN FRONT OF LIVE AUDIENCES, AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT FOR HOWEVER LONG IT WILL LAST. Jan Lisiecki in the Boston Globe (July 2021)

©jon tadiello

Paula Cole

Jan Lisiecki, piano Rockport Chamber Music Festival 2021

STAFF EXECUTIVE Tony Beadle PRESIDENT & CEO

Karen Herlitz

Shannon Mason

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

DEVELOPMENT Lori Correale DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Susan Rogers SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Jeanne Kinch DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

John Pizzarelli Rockport Jazz Festival 2021

MARKETING & TICKETING

Mark Barrasso DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

Nora Whouley

Christopher Blagg MARKETING MANAGER

Carol Ciulla TICKETING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Maggie Glidden ASSOCIATE DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Billy Burgoyne ASSISTANT BOX OFFICE MANAGER

OPERATIONS Michelle Alekson DIRECTOR OF RENTAL EVENTS & VOLUNTEERS

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Scott Rodgers

FINANCE

Nate Weaver

Nancy Lewis

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL OPERATIONS

ARTISTIC

EDUCATION

Barry Shiffman

Josué González

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL & CLASSICAL MUSIC

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & PARTNERSHIPS

Alexa Tarantino JAZZ WORKSHOP DIRECTOR

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David Deveau ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

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PERFORMING ARTISTS IN 2021 Artists we had the great fortune of enjoying live at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in 2021.

40th ANNUAL ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL July 9–September 19, 2021 DOVER STRING QUARTET & GEORGE LI, piano BARRY SHIFFMAN, viola with TANYA GABRIELIAN, piano

Rasa String Quartet

ERIC LU, piano VIANO STRING QUARTET TESSA LARK, violin ZLATOMIR FUNG, cello MIRÓ QUARTET & ANTHONY MCGILL, clarinet JUNCTION TRIO JAN LISIECKI, piano JAMES EHNES, violin & STEWART GOODYEAR, piano ST. LAWRENCE STRING QUARTET with BARRY SHIFFMAN, viola VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS (Soloists: Stella Chen, Nikki Chooi, Julian Rhee, Dennis Kim)

Grace Kelly Rockport Jazz Festival 2021

HAN-SETZER-FINCKEL TRIO BRENTANO STRING QUARTET SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, piano

ROCKPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL July 29–August 1, 2021 JOEY DEFRANCESCO, organ CHRISTIAN SANDS, piano GRACE KELLY, saxophone JOHN PIZZARELLI, guitar

ROCKPORT CELTIC FESTIVAL BRIAN O’DONOVAN & MAEVE GILCHRIST, co-artistic directors August 20–22, 2021

SUMMER FOLK & POP MAIREAD NESBITT PETER CINCOTTI AOIFE O’DONOVAN

TUBA SKINNY PAULA COLE QUIANA LYNELL

Livingston Taylor

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

2022 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL June 11–July 10 August 12–14 ROCKPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL August 4–7 ROCKPORT CELTIC FESTIVAL August 19–21

Quiana Lynell

rockport music

ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2021

Administration 16 MAIN STREET

Shalin Liu Performance Center 37 MAIN STREET ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS 01966

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