Varied event program peers through a contemporary lens into the Pilgrim’s journey to America and the Native indigenous people
McGRATHPR.com – Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra (CCCO), the Cape’s professional collaborative orchestra, closes its fifth season with “Toward the Sea,” a special program detailing the events of the Pilgrim’s journey and acknowledging indigenous people, on Sunday, April 30, 3 pm, featuring a pre-concert talk at 2:15 pm, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 533 Main Street, Rt. 28, Harwich Port. A reception featuring Native American art from members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe follows the concert with an opportunity to meet the guests and musicians. The orchestra is conducted by Music Director Matthew Scinto, and features CCCO’s flutist Zach Sheets and Charles Overton, harp. The program’s new work is the creation of CCCO Composer-in-Residence Cody Forrest.
“The more and more I looked into the history of the Pilgrims and Native people the more I felt compelled to acknowledge the whole story. On one hand, the Pilgrim’s journey can be viewed as empowering – men, women, and children traveling into the unknown to begin a new life. On the other hand, we have a story of war and disease that completely changed the lives of the indigenous people, many who still live on Cape Cod today. The goal of our program is to provide a valuable, deep reflection on these historic events,” shares Director Scinto.
Performing artist, educator and Mashpee Wampanoag Ej Mills Brennan opens the concert with her original compositions “Breath of Prayers” on Native flute with vocals. Brennan maintains a firm belief in the healing power of the arts and has served as a music educator much of her life, working collaboratively to integrate arts through diverse topics.
The event’s pre-concert talk kicks off at 2:15 pm, led by Waban Webquish, an indigenous professional who provides education on the history and traditions of his cultural heritage through guided walks and seminars, as well as creating and distributing handmade Wampum jewelry, traditional indigenous items, and culturally sustainable foods. Musician, poet, and Wampanoag artist MaDarrius Maximus also participates in the pre-concert talk, sharing some of his original work.
CCCO’s Season Five finale takes a contemporary look at the Pilgrim’s journey to America. Forrest’s world premiere work “Spirit of” is rooted in the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage, contextualized as a musical depiction of the historical events. Toru Takemitsu’s “Toward the Sea” for alto flute, harp and strings was commissioned in 1981 by Green Peace for their “Save the Whales” campaign. The work features a movement devoted to Cape Cod, and as the composer writes “is meditation and water wedded together,” further defining its importance. Tchaikovsky’s thrilling “Souvenir de Florence” closes the afternoon’s dynamic program.
“We have a vision to explore our community through new music, fostering significance in the documentation of the Pilgrim journey, as witnessed in Cody’s new piece,” shares Scinto. “Sharing this moment in history through new music allows us to usher the past into our reality today. I hope these new sounds and experiences help us to reflect on the entire Mayflower story.”
Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra prides itself on exceptional programming and its collaborative performances, a highlight of every season. Season Five has featured four full-orchestra main concerts and three small ensemble performances offered by the Sandbar Chamber Series.
Committed to artistic integrity and excellence, Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra embraces a mission to connect the diverse arts communities and individuals of Cape Cod inclusively. By collaborating with other disciplines of art and culture, the Orchestra aims to create unique concert experiences while providing exciting, enriching, and memorable orchestral music. Spotlighting living composers is at the forefront of the orchestra’s mission; bringing audiences closer to the music of modern time, positioned as an essential and educational element to each performance program. Other repertoire emphasizes the championing of works of living composers, as well as the music of the classical canon.
Tickets to Toward the Sea are $35 for general admission, all students (with valid ID) and children admitted for free. More information, the full season schedule, concert programs and tickets to all Season Five performancesare available at capecodchamberorchestra.org, by calling 508-432-1668, or at each venue door by cash or credit card. For more information, email info@capecodchamberorchestra.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra on Facebook and Instagram.
Program
MILLS BRENNAN – Breath of Prayers
TAKEMITSU – Toward the Sea | Zach Sheets, alto flute; Charles Overton, harp
FORREST – Spirit of
TCHAIKOVSKY – Souvenir de Florence
About Dr. Matthew Scinto, Conductor
Matthew Scinto is an emerging conductor based in Cape Cod, where he currently serves as Founder and Music Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra and Visiting Director of Orchestra at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has twice studied conducting at the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center, was recently finalist for the Assistant Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony, and currently serves as a cover conductor for the Portland (ME) Symphony. He received his Doctor of Musical Art’s degree from Boston University, where he received the Conducting Department Award for Excellence in Conducting. Dr. Scinto has been involved in Alzheimer’s care for the past several years, working with memory care facilities at Maplewood Senior Living in Brewster, MA and Bridges in Mashpee, MA. He is also a frequent guest of the Arts & Ideas program with the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod for caregivers and loved ones with memory loss. By using aspects of music appreciation and conducting, Dr. Scinto has developed curriculum for working with individuals dealing with memory loss, to allow them to reconnect to their loved ones and enjoy fun movement to music.
About Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra
Committed to artistic integrity and excellence, the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra’s mission is to connect the diverse arts communities and individuals of Cape Cod inclusively. By collaborating with other disciplines of art and culture, the Orchestra aims to create unique concert experiences while providing exciting, enriching, and memorable orchestral music. Featuring living composers is at the forefront of the orchestra’s mission; bringing audiences closer to the music of modern time, positioned as an essential and educational element to each performance program. Other repertoire champions the works of living composers, as well as the music of the classical canon. For more information visit www.capecodchamberorchestra.org, email info@capecodchamberorchestra.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra on Facebook and Instagram.
