🚀 go-pugleaf

On July 25th, the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem, Massachusetts presents 
"Songs for a Summer Evening" featuring soprano Julie Poole with David Kidwell 
at the piano in a recital featuring settings of familiar English-language 
texts.  The program will include folksongs from the British Isles by Benjamin 
Britten and Michael Head, Appalachian songs arranged by John Jacob Niles and 
Clifford Shaw, plus the premiere of David Kidwell's 'Three Shakespeare 
Sonnets'.  The performance begins at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $6.00 general 
admission, $5.00 for seniors and students.

Julie Poole sings with the Greater Hartford Opera Ensemble and the choir of 
St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford, Connecticut.  On the stage, she 
has earned recognition for her portrayals of Gilbert & Sullivan heroines, 
including leading roles with Valley Light Opera, Simsbury Light Opera Company 
and The Warner Stage Company.  Julie has performed as a guest artist with the 
Friends of Music at Guilford, the Torrington Symphony Orchestra and 
Connecticut Opera's "Opera in the Park".

David Kidwell is the conductor of the Holyoke Civic Symphony, assistant 
conductor of the Pioneer Valley Symphony, choir director and organist at First 
Park Memorial Baptist Church in Springfield, and a member of the music faculty 
at Eaglebrook School.  He has been involved in musical theatre productions 
with groups including Arena Civic Theatre, Valley Light Opera, Green Room 
Players, Westfield Theatre Group, Amherst Leisure Service Community Theatre 
and High Note Productions.  David holds a bachelor's degree in music from Mary 
Washington College and a master's degree in composition from the Hartt School 
of Music and has studied conducting at the Tanglewood Music Center.

"Aspire to the Arts" performances are held in the historic 1794 Meetinghouse, 
which features original wide-board pine floors, horsehair plaster walls and an 
acoustic ambience that is a true delight.  The Meetinghouse is registered as a 
National Historic building.  It is located on the historic New Salem Town 
Common on South Main Street, just off Route 202.  The Meetinghouse is 
wheelchair accessible.

All performances are general admission.  Tickets are available at the New 
Salem General Store, World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield, Food for Thought Books 
in Amherst, or at the door.  For further information call 978/544-5200. 

1794 Meetinghouse is located at 26 South Main Street, off Route 202, on the 
New Salem Town Common.  From the west, follow Route 202 east into the center 
of New Salem and turn right on South Main Street, across from the General 
Store.  Follow the road to the Town Common.  From the east, follow Route 202 
west and turn left, across from the General Store.