Spring Performances

February 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra presents “ECSO Carnivale” – one of the new shuffle concert series where we play a lot of short pieces. The program includes: Gershwin: Cuban Overture, Ginastera: Concerto for Harp, Op. 25: Artist: Colleen Potter Thorburn (Harp), Copland: El salón México, Ravel: Alborada del gracioso for Orchestra, Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras no 5 for Voice and 8 Cellos Artist: Lisa Williamson (Soprano), Fernandez: Batuque, Márquez: Danzón no 2, Moncayo: Huapango. Performance is held at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

March 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra presents Liszt: Les préludes, S 97, Foulds: Dynamic Triptych, Artist: Gary Chapman (Piano), Sibelius: Symphony no 2 in D major, Op. 43. Performance is held at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

March 29 at 7:30 pm - The combined forces of the ECSO, ECSO Chorus, and Norwich Diocesan Choir present a FREE performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's, "Requiem." Suggested donation at the door. Net proceeds support the St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen. Performance is held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich, CT.

April 3 at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae “Service of Darkness” at St. Luke’s Lutheran church located at 1830 Rt. 12 in Gales Ferry, CT.

April 25 at 8 pm - The combined forces of the ECSO & ECSO Chorus present “O Fortuna” featuring Beethoven’s 1^st Symphony and Orff’s Carmina Burana. The performance will be held at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Winter Performances

Saturday, December 13 at 1:30 & 7 p.m. & Sunday, December 14 at 1:30 p.m. – Eastern CT Ballet presents the Nutcracker at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT. They always put on a fabulous show and Tchaikovsky wrote some great music that I never tire of playing!

Saturday, December 20 at 8 p.m. – Eastern CT Symphony Chorus sing Handel’s Messiah at Harkness Chapel in New London. Mark Singleton, conductor of the choir, always puts on an excellent choir. A good choice of music to keep you in the holiday spirit!

 Saturday, January 10 at 8 p.m. Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra presents a concert titled: “New Beginnings.” Featured are Clare Elena Semes, 2014 ECSO Instrumental Competition Winner, playing Bartok’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 (Haffner) and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. Performance is held at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

*Usually this concert has a special free open dress rehearsal for students at 2:30pm on Jan. 10

Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. – Metaphor String Trio will perform an hour program of music composed by Schubert, Parry, Nelyhbel, Haydn, Ibert, Joplin, and Metz at the East Lyme Library. I rehearse with Irene Rissi, viola and Barbara Metz, cello every week. We have great fun playing together and hope you can come enjoy our program.

Fall Performances 2014

My upcoming performances this fall are:

Sunday, October 19 at 3 p.m. – Metaphor trio performs at the Wheeler Library in North Stonington. We’ll feature the works of Schubert, Nelybel, Beethoven, Reger, Haydn, Parry, and Metz. This trio is comprised of myself, Irene Rissi, viola, and Barbara Metz, cello. We rehearse every week together and I really learn a lot from playing with these wonderful ladies. We strive to make the music fun and entertaining. Hope you can come and enjoy it!

Saturday, October 25 at 8 p.m. – Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra performs at the Garde Theatre in New London. The concert features the works of Thomas: Aureole (2013); Kancheli: A Little Daneliade; Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32; Rachmaninov: Concerto for Piano no 2 in C minor, Op. 18 with Artist: Henry Kramer (Piano).

Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. – Eastern CT Symphony Chorus at Harkness Chapel in New London. I’ll provide more details on this one later.

Winter Performances

Friday, January 11 at 9:30 am - Metaphor String Trio at Waterford High School. Trio members are Lisa Gray on violin, Irene Rissi on viola, and Barbara Metz on cello. Interactive program includes Beethoven Serenade and Nelybel's 4 Minatures for 3 Strings.

Saturday, January 12 at 8 pm - Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Saturday, January 19 at 4 pm - Community Music School Winter Recital in Studio 20 featuring the students of Lisa Gray with Daniel Kurpaska as accompanist.

Saturday, February 9 at 8 pm - Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Saturday, March 2 at 8 pm - Field Trip to see Bowfire at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Saturday, March 16 at 8 pm - Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra presents "Rousing Sounds" with ECSO soloist Nancy Chaput, Flute. Works featured include Barber Overture to the School for Scandal; Rouse Flute Concerto; Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT. 

Saturday, April 20 at 8 pm - Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra presents "A Night at the Opera" Featuring: The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with Guest Soloist,Jurate Svedaite, Soprano. Works performed include Wagner Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde; Strauss Four Last Songs; Wagner Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin; Wagner Sailors Chorus from The Flying Dutchman; Wagner Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhäuser; Verdi Intermezzo Act III from La Traviata; Verdi Gerusalem! from I lombardi alla prima crociata; Verdi, pensiero from Nabucco; Verdi Gloria all’Egitto from Aida at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Studio Class

Saturday, November 3 at 2pm - Studio Class at my house. A great chance to perform your regional audition piece or anything else you are working on. Come prepared to listen, play, give feedback, and have fun!

2012 Fall Performances

Thursday, October 18 at 10 am & 12 pm - Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra presents their annual Children's Concerts for local 3rd and 4th graders at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Saturday, October 20 at 8 pm - Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra presents "Centennial Concerto" with guest artist Peter Frankl, piano. Works featured include Fuchs Atlantic Riband; Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in Bb Major,Op. 83; Berlioz Romeo and Juliet: Orchestral Selections at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Tuesday, October 30 at 9:30 am - Metaphor Trio performs at Waterford High School works of Corelli, Beethoven Serenade, and Nelhybel Miniature Suite.

Wednesday, October 31 at 9:15 am - Metaphor Trio performs at Clark Lane Middle School works of Corelli, Beethoven Serenade, and Nelhybel Miniature Suite.

Saturday, November 17 at 8 pm -  Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra presents "A Splash of New A Dash of Old" with  guest artist Christopher Smith, Percussion. Works featured include Mozart Symphony No. 38 (Prague;)Tan Dun Water Concerto; Schumann Symphony No. 3 (Rhenish) at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Sunday, November 18 at 7:30 pm - String Ensemble joins the choir at St. Patrick's Cathedral performing Vivaldi's Magnificat and a Handel Organ Concerto in Norwich, CT.


Friday, December 7 at 8 pm - Con Brio Choral Society at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, CT.

Sunday, December 9 at 3 pm - Con Brio Choral Society at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, CT.

Saturday, December 15 at 1:30 pm and 7 pm - Eastern Connecticut Ballet presents Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

Sunday, December 16 at 1:30 pm - Eastern Connecticut Ballet presents Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT.

June Performances

Friday, June 3 beginning at 9 am - "Head, Body, Feet" - how the instruments of a trio interact with each other featuring Lisa Gray, violin; Martha Herrle, viola; and Christine Coyle, cello. School performances will be held from9 am - 3 pm at the Goodwin School in Old Saybrook, CT.

Sunday, June 5 at 4 pm - Guitar concert with Neil Fitzpatrick, guitar and Lisa Gray, violin featuring music by Paganini, Molino, and Ibert. The performance will be at the Centerbrook Meeting House in Essex, CT.

Thursday, June 16 at 7 pm - In association with the non-profit corporation Artists for a Cause, Terry Barber presents his program "A Sacred Journey" as part of his nationwide tour of houses of worship which will feature great songs of faith from the Middle Ages through the contemporary period. Performing artists are Terry Barber, counter tenor; Brink Bush, piano; Lisa Gray, violin. Performance will be at the Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970 PH: 978-744-2796

Friday June 17 at 7 pm 2nd performance of Terry Barber's "A Sacred Journey" at the Episcopal Cathedral Of St John, Providence RI 271 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903 PH: 401 331-4622

Saturday, June 18 at 10 am Joint Student Recital from the studios Lisa Gray, violin and Neil Fitzpatrick, guitar with Sue Sweeney, piano at the First Congregational Church, 6 Methodist Hill, Essex, CT. Come here our students perform culminating with a rousing rendition of Devil's Dream.

Saturday June 18 at 7 pm 3rd performance of Terry Barber's "A Sacred Journey" at Harbor Church, Block Island RI with Carrie Todd 21 Water Street Block Island, RI 02807 PH:401 466-5940

Monday June 20 at 7 pm 4th performance of Terry Barber's "A Sacred Journey" at First Presbyterian Church Of Stamford, CT 7:00pm 1101 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905 PH: 203 324-9522

Tuesday June 21 at 7 pm 5th performance of Terry Barber's "A Sacred Journey" at St.Phillip Church, Norwalk CT 7:00pm1 Father Conlon Place, Norwalk, CT 06851 PH: 203-847-4549

Wednesday, June 22 at 12 pm Quartet performance at Piano luncheon. Featuring works of Debussy, Arriaga, Beethoven, and Mozart. Quartet members: Julia Pettersson, violin; Lisa Gray, violin; Irene Rissi, viola; Barbara Metz, cello.

Sunday, June 26 at 5:30 pm Trio performance at a wedding at the Brandford House in Groton, CT.

Thursday, July 21 Guitar performance at the Chester Meeting house in Chester, CT.