BRATTLEBORO — In 2008, Friends of Music at Guilford (FOMAG) -prompted both by music budget cuts and a desire for students in the upper grades to make music a lifelong passion - launched a Music Enrichment Program for Guilford Central School.
The Max Y. Seaton Trust has awarded six annual grants of $1,500 to support this program, but the remainder of each year's $3,500 budget is FOMAG's responsibility.
This season's “Rhythms for Drums, Voices, and Other Instruments” residency in March, which supports the program, is led by Brattleboro-based musicians Todd Roach and Anna Patton.
In addition to funding by the Seaton Trust, it is supported by two fundraisers.
The first is a benefit concert at Vermont Jazz Center on Friday, March 14, at 8 p.m.
This concert features two ensembles drawing on jazz and classical foundations as well as traditional instrumental and vocal music from around the world. The musicians blend those roots and rhythms into World Music and jazz forms, original and skillfully improvised, and always in a masterful, creative fusion carrying their audience along on a joyful, soulful journey.
The opening set features Roach with New York guests Brandon Terzic and Kane Mathis. Masters on multiple instruments from many cultures, this duo's music honors tradition and is a rich, alchemical blend exploring new places. They will be followed by the As Yet Quintet, featuring Roach, Patton, Eugene Uman, Julian Gerstin, and Charlie Schneeweis.
The second fundraiser is a spaghetti supper, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, March 26, which is Music Night at Guilford Central School.