Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's Pre-Show Concert Series Ends 8/15

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) is pleased to announce thestart of Commonwealth Concerts, a series of pre-show performances before Othello from August 5 through August 15 at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common.

Sponsored by New England Conservatory, these concerts will showcase many different types of music from the Boston area. In addition to the concerts sponsored by New England Conservatory, there will betwo showcases by apprentices from CSC's Summer Academy; two performances of CSC's Shakespeare on Love, a compilation of love scenes and music from William Shakespeare; and aspecial 2-performance Swing Day courtesy of the Beantown Swing Orchestra.

"We wanted to do something special for our audiences who come out hours before theperformance that would also celebrate the wide variety of art in Boston," said CSC FoundingArtistic Director, Steven Maler. "We hope that this will be an opportunity for the audience to enjoysome of the great local music Boston has to offer."

All performances will take place on the stage at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Commonnear the corner of Tremont & Winter Streets. As with Othello, all shows are free and open to thepublic of all ages. More detailed information on participating groups and a schedule ofperformances can be found below.

PERFORMANCE GROUPS

Grill-Barrett-Boudreau (Thursday, August 5 at 6:30pm) The trio of Laura Grill's vocals, BradBarrett on bass and Steve Boudreau on piano is composed of three recent NEC graduates.

Malcolm Campbell Quartet (Friday, August 6 at 6:30pm) includes Malcolm Campbell on piano,Zac Shaiman on sax, Oliver Watkinson on bass, and Jacob Cole on drums.

Beantown Swing Orchestra (Saturday, August 7 4-5:15pm & 6-7pm) is an 18-piece swingorchestra.

Nick Grondin Group (Sunday, August 8 at 5:30pm) The Boston-based Group will present itsmusic as modern instrumental storytelling, inspired by rock, folk and contemporary jazz styles.The Nick Grondin Group: Tammy Scheffer, voice; Aaron Kruziki, alto and soprano saxes; VivekPatel, trumpet and flugelhorn; Nick Grondin, guitar and compositions; Michel Reis, piano; GregLoughman, bass; and Lee Fish, drums.

Nadav Remez Quintet (Tuesday, August 10 at 6:30pm) includes Jonathan Greenstein on tenorsax, Nadav Remez on guitar, Julian Shore on piano, Daniel Ori on bass and Nick Falk on drums.CSC's Shakespeare on Love (Wednesday, August 11 from 10-11am & Friday, August 13 at 2:00pm) is a compilation of love scenes and music from William Shakespeare performed byapprentices from CSC's Summer Academy.Aubrey Johnson Quintet (Wednesday, August 11 at 6:30pm) consists of voice, piano, bass,drums, and guitar.

Katie Seller Group (Saturday, August 14 at 6:30pm) includes four members: voice, piano, bass,and drums. They will be performing originals and jazz standards with some originalarrangements.Art Felluca Group (Sunday, August 15 at 5:30pm) is a 6-horn, 4-rhythm section ensemble,consisting of some of the top young jazz talents in Boston, which explores the intricacies ofwriting jazz music for six horns and rhythm section. They will be performing three originalcompositions by Art, entitled "Barn Swallow Lane," "Chance Encounter," and "Inward," as well asan arrangement of Dave Brubeck's "Strange Meadow Lark."

About Commonwealth Shakespeare CompanyCommonwealth Shakespeare Company, best known for its annual free performances on BostonCommon, is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare invital and contemporary productions to the people of Boston. In addition to the annual BostonCommon production, the company offers a summer "Tour of the Parks," with a Shakespeare-inspired program designed for families as well as other Shakespeare-related programmingthroughout the summer. Previous productions include Comedy of Errors, As You Like It, AMidsummer Night's Dream, Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth,Henry V, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and Julius Caesar.

For more information, or to make a contribution to support the work of CSC, visit www.commshakes.org.

About New England ConservatoryRecognized nationally and internationally as a leader among music schools, New EnglandConservatory offers rigorous training in an intimate, nurturing community to 720 undergraduate,graduate, and doctoral music students from around the world. Its faculty of 225 boastsinternationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. Its alumni go on to fill orchestra chairs,concert hall stages, jazz clubs, recording studios, and arts management positions worldwide.

Nearly half of the Boston Symphony Orchestra is composed of NEC trained musicians andfaculty.The oldest independent school of music in the United States, NEC was founded in 1867 by EbenTourjee. Its curriculum is remarkable for its wide range of styles and traditions. On the collegelevel, it features training in classical, jazz, Contemporary Improvisation, world and early music.Through its Preparatory School, School of Continuing Education, and Community CollaborationPrograms, it provides training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students,adults, and seniors. Through its outreach projects, it allows young musicians to engage with non-traditional audiences in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes-thereby bringing pleasure to newlisteners and enlarging the universe for classical music and jazz.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:Thurs Aug 56:30pm, Grill-Barrett-BoudreauFri Aug 66:30pm, Malcolm Campbell QuartetSat Aug 72pm and 6pm, Beantown Swing OrchestraSun Aug 85:30pm, Nick Grondin GroupTues Aug 106:30pm, Nadav Remez QuintetWed Aug 1110:00am, CSC's Shakespeare on Love6:30pm, Aubrey Johnson QuintetThurs Aug 126:30pm, CSC Apprentice Showcase #1Fri Aug 136:30pm, CSC Apprentice Showcase #2

Sat Aug 142:00pm, CSC's Shakespeare on Love6:30pm, Katie Seller GroupSun Aug 155:30pm, Art Felluca Group

WHERE: Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, Tremont & Winter Streets, Boston, MA

TICKETS: All shows are free and open to the public of all ages

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