CONCORD – The final, free Bach’s Lunches of the season take place June 6 and June 13 at Concord Community Music School, with a presentation about stories and moods in music, and a concert of classical music inspired by folk traditions.

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June 6, 12:10 p.m.

Bach’s Lunch Lecture: “Listening for Stories in Music”

Speaker: Melissa Mielens

Romantic, intense, playful, mysterious, brash, calming – music can evoke a thousand feelings and tell a thousand stories. Flutist Melissa Mielens will play short thematic pieces for solo flute, and discuss the ideas, moods, and stories behind them. When she presents “Winter Spirits” by Katherine Hoover, the listener may hear phrases that evoke a cold, lonely nighttime wind or a bird chirping…but it’s all a matter of perspective! Learn more about how musical tales are told in this imaginative listening session.

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June 13, 12:10 p.m.

Bach’s Lunch Concert: “Crosswinds: Music Inspired by Folk Traditions”

Anthea Kechley, flute and piccolo; Stefani Burk, oboe; Kathryn Southworth, piano and harpsichord

This program showcases the influence of folk music in the works of classical composers throughout the world, from Tylman Susato’s Renaissance dances of Antwerp to the peasant vocal traditions of Hungary recorded by Bela Bartok to Astor Piazzolla’s tango nuevo genre in Argentina. Works by South African composer Kevin Volans and Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng will also be featured.

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Bach’s Lunch programs are free and open to the public, and take place from 12:10 to 12:50pm on the first and second Thursdays of each month, November through June, in the Music School’s Recital Hall, 23 Wall Street, downtown Concord.

The Bach’s Lunch Series is sponsored by The Timothy and Abigail B. Walker Lecture Fund and The Engelke Heggie Gratefulness Fund.

For more information, please call 603-228-1196 or visit www.ccmusicschool.org.

About the Artists

Melissa Mielens, hailed in reviews for her “eloquence” and “ethereal flute lines,” is the principal flutist for the Vermont Symphony and Orchestra of Indian Hill. She has played flute with many other regional orchestras, including the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Portland Symphony, and Springfield Symphony. She has toured abroad with various orchestras, including Japan with the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, the United Kingdom with the New World Symphony, and Europe and South America with the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra. Ms. Mielens has been a prizewinner in several national and regional competitions, including the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition and the Pappoutsakis Flute Competition. She received her BM and MM, both with distinction, in performance from New England Conservatory, and as a Fulbright Grant recipient, she studied in Paris with Alain Marion. Ms. Mielens is is dedicated to music education, and teaches or has taught at Phillips Exeter Academy, University of Massachusetts – Lowell, and New England Conservatory Preparatory Division.

Stefani Burk attended the University of Iowa (B.A. Music Education, M.A. in Oboe Performance). Her teachers were Robert Dean, Wilma Zonn, James Lakin and Fred Cohen. Oboist for the Portland Symphony, PORTopera, and Portland Ballet, she has also performed as oboist and oboe d’amore soloist with the NH Music Festival, Opera North, White Mountain Bach Festival, and with many other orchestras and chamber music festivals throughout New England. Ms. Burk has taught at Bowdoin and Bates Colleges, Indian Hill Arts, and is currently on the faculty at St. Paul’s School.

Anthea Kechley earned a Master of Music degree from Mannes College of Music as a student of Keith Underwood, and a Bachelor of Music degree with honors, from Birmingham Conservatoire in the United Kingdom. Anthea has performed regularly with Sarasota Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, Andrea Bocelli, Cape Symphony, Wheelock Family Theater, Philadelphia Singers, Berkshire Symphony, and Sound Icon. Anthea’s solo projects explore world music and culture with a particular interest in folk music. She has also been on the faculty at Williams College, Miami Music Project, and The Harmony Program in New York City.

Kathryn Southworth holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and an M.M. in Vocal Accompanying and Coaching from the University of Illinois. She held a graduate assistantship as staff accompanist under the tutelage of acclaimed accompanist John Wustman and served as a musical ambassador to Costa Rica with soprano Ollie Watts Davis. She has been a collaborative pianist for Opera North, Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University, and Boston Ballet, and has also served as music director, accompanist, and organist for many theater and choral groups in New England. Kathy is currently music director and organist for the Canterbury United Community Church. Former faculty positions include St. Paul’s School and Plymouth State University.

About the Concord Community Music School

Concord Community Music School is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and is recognized nationally for program innovation and management excellence. Welcoming adults, teens, and children of all musical abilities, 50 teaching artists reach more than 33,000 people in four states with educational programs, concerts, workshops, and community partnerships. CCMS has received major funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hearst Foundation, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Jane’s Trust, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The Music School has earned honors including the Governor’s Arts Award for Cultural Access Leadership.

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