Windborne Trio: Songs from Around The World Plays Sandglass Theater

Windborne Trio presents a mini concert series and announces the release of its new CD of vocal trio music, with wand'ring feet. The CD includes the trio's favorite traditional and original songs from the Republic of Georiga, Corsica, and North America. Most are sung a capella, but some feature accompaniment by the banjo or chonguri, a four-stringed Georgian instrument. The concert is presented at three locations: in Peterborough, NH on Friday, April 1 at the Mariposa Museum at 7pm (donations welcome); in Keene, NH on Saturday, April 2 at The Starving Artist, 7:30pm ($8/$5); and in Putney, VT on Friday, April 8 at Sandglass Theater at 8pm ($12). The trio's vocal agility and power won them first place in Young Tradition Vermont's 2010 Showcase Competition.

Windborne Trio, Lauren Breunig, Will Thomas Rowan, and Lynn Mahoney Rowan, is a group of vocal chameleons, juxtaposing their clever settings of traditional and original American music with traditional vocal trio music from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. They have studied extensively the traditional polyphony of Corsica and the Republic of Georgia, learning not only to sing the songs from native singers, but to improvise on them within the traditional styles. They switch effortlessly between drastically different styles of singing within the same concert, all the while delighting the audience with their vocal energy and carefully crafted arrangements.

Also included in their repertoire are Will's original compositions, rooted deeply in the traditions of ballad and shape-note singing, as well as compositions by Windborne's friends and mentors around New England such as Don Jamison, Stephen Spitzer, and Neely Bruce.

As a trio, the singers have a vibrant energy and a strong connection. They educate as they perform, telling stories about the music and explaining the characteristics and stylistic elements of the traditions in which they sing. "The singers of the Windborne trio have a deep understanding, both musically and culturally, of the traditions from which they draw much of their repertoire. Their singing is a feast of a capella harmony," remarks Brattleboro's own folk music master, Peter Amidon.

The members of Windborne Trio began singing together a decade ago as young teenagers after attending Village Harmony singing camps. Enamored with the world folk traditions they encountered there, they have continued to pursue music as performers and teachers. All three have traveled extensively in the US and Europe with Village Harmony and its semi-professional performing arm, Northern Harmony, leading workshops and giving concerts. They are also founding members of Renewal, a world music chorus that tours New England in January.

Windborne's debut album was reviewed by Mary DesRosiers, folk musicologist, for the Monadnock Folklore Society. She writes: "The purity of their voices, strength of their material, and attention to detail in their arrangements combine to create an unusual, but very inspiring recording." To hear samples of their music, visit www.cdbaby.com/cd/WindborneTrio <http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/WindborneTrio> <http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/windbornetrio>

The Friday, April 1 concert is offered at the Mariposa Museum, Main Street, Peterborough, NH, 7pm as part of the First Friday events (donations welcome) and the Saturday, April 2 concert is hosted by The Starving Artist, West Street, Keene, NH, at 7:30pm, ($8 general/$5 students). The mini concert series will conclude at Sandglass Theater in Putney, VT on Friday, April 8, at 8pm ($12 general admission). Windborne's new CD, with wand'ring feet, will be available at the concerts, and can also be found at the Brattleboro Food Coop and The Dancing Sun, a new fair trade boutique on Main Street in Brattleboro.

For information: 802-451-0425 or WindborneSingers.com <http://www.windbornesingers.com/>

To post a comment, you must register and login.