Dr. Steve Bass says South Shore Conservatory will engage the community through accessible concerts and hands-on opportunities for students
SOUTHSHORETIMES.com – When Dr. Steve Bass took over as artistic director at South Shore Conservatory (SSC) in June, he brought with him not just decades of experience as a musician and arts leader, but also a passion to connect deeply with the community.
In this conversation, Bass spoke about his plans for community engagement, accessible programming, and new performance opportunities for students.
Q: What drew you to South Shore Conservatory, and how does this role fit into your background?
A: I think it was a perfect next step for me because here I can fully utilize all of the skills that I’ve learned in my career. I’m very excited about being able to connect with my network and bring in the next generation of top-rated artists to SSC. One of my biggest goals here is to make sure that each professional concert has an educational tie-in.
Bass, who studied jazz composition at the New England Conservatory and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, has spent years as a performer, conductor, and educator. He previously worked with regional theaters such as Company Theatre and Greater Boston Stage Company, where he focused on bringing in live orchestral music.
Q: What makes South Shore Conservatory unique, and how do you see it serving the community?
A: We are providing a cultural hub for people to come and experience great music. What excites me about SSC is that we have the ability and the reach to have many connections with the community. We offer creative arts therapies and music therapy. There is a vibrant dance program and also an early childhood program with an amazing preschool that’s music themed. There are so many ways to connect and get the younger generation excited about music. I want SSC to be a place that’s essential to the arts on the South Shore.
Q: You’ve talked about making concerts more accessible. What does that look like in practice?
A: It can be intimidating to go to a concert. And then on top of it, as somebody who has small children myself, the struggle is always- can I bring my kids?
If you’re going to go into a concert hall where there’s concert etiquette, you don’t want to be shushing your two-year-old the whole time. You don’t want to be running outside with your crying baby. So, what I love about our Hingham campus is we have a beautiful outdoor performance space.
The Jane C. Carr Amphitheater has unbelievable architecture which was made for state-of-the-art music performance. And there are seats under the pavilion so, if you want to have a typical concert going experience, you can still do that. You can purchase a seat in the pavilion, sit in the audience and just enjoy the surround sound music.
We also have a beautiful green space and lawn. You can just bring a lawn chair, bring a blanket, pack a picnic like they do at Tanglewood and it’s a lot less pressure if you’re going to bring your family or bring your kids. We’ve also worked to make the tickets as affordable as possible.
We’re removing the financial barrier, the physical barrier, the etiquette barrier—every barrier we can think of.
Q: What are some of the first programs or concerts you’re launching?
A: Coming up on Saturday, October 18 at 3 p.m. Dan Gabel and his orchestra will be presenting the American Big Band Experience. It is an 18-piece authentic jazz big band, complete with two outstanding vocalists, that brings to life the timeless music of legends such as Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey.
One of our students is actually going to be the opener for the concert. They’re going to perform with a professional rhythm section and big band… It’s like your high school football team getting to play with the Patriots for one game.
Q: How are you connecting students directly with professional musicians?
A: It is my initiative to have students perform with every guest artist we bring in. Who you play with and who you listen to are as important as what you practice.
He added that SSC offers free admission to its students and $10 tickets for Hingham students to attend concerts that would typically cost much more elsewhere.
Q: You’ve mentioned your three guiding words for SSC: Engage, Empower, Elevate. What do those mean to you?
A: We’re engaging the community by providing low barrier, high quality music to all ages and families. We’re empowering our students and community to be exposed to music they’re not going to hear on their own. And we’re elevating the traditional music experience by having students go on stage and play side by side with professionals.
Q: You’re also involved in ‘A Swingin’ Affair.’ What is that project and how does it connect to your work at SSC?
‘A Swingin’ Affair’ was a passion project of mine that became a fully formed big band production. We perform 20 to 25 authentic Frank Sinatra arrangements—just like the original recordings.
The show also includes an educational component wherever it’s performed. When I do the show in Scituate, performing our new “The Best is Yet to Come: A Swingin’ Affair’s Tribute to Sinatra,” program on Saturday, October 25, I’ll go in earlier and provide an improvisation clinic with the students. It all goes together.
Q: What’s your hope for SSC’s role in the South Shore arts community moving forward?
A: I want people to see SSC as their place for music. Whether you’re a musician, a parent, or just someone who loves great performances, there is a way for you to connect with us.
By Sarah Farris, South Shore Times
South Shore Conservatory (SSC) is a community school for the arts on Boston’s South Shore, welcoming individuals of all ages and abilities. With campuses in Hingham and Duxbury, SSC’s arts-based programs provide a creative path for a lifetime of learning, from childhood through adulthood, through outstanding faculty and nationally-celebrated programming in music instruction, ensembles, dance, early childhood education, creative arts therapy, performance, and community and school partnerships.
In keeping with SSC’s inclusive mission to provide access to quality education in the arts for all, the Conservatory offers programs for all segments of the population to enjoy, regardless of age, ability, geography, and financial means. Furthermore, South Shore Conservatory admits students and families of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
About A Swingin’ Affair All-Star Big Band
Award-winning big band A Swingin’ Affair features the most sought-after, all-star professional performing artists in greater Boston, convened in swing and song – a rare entertainment opportunity! Revel in A Swingin’ Affair’s 16 inspired instrumentalists as they dive into the toe tappin’ Great American Songbook, exploring the legendary tunes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, and the timeless Rat Pack. Bandleader Steve Bass, frontman vocalist Donnie Norton, and special guest vocalists deliver the huge swingin’ sound, vibe, and excitement of Sinatra’s soundstage in concert! Hit songs include “Fly Me To the Moon,” “I’ve Got The World On A String,” “New York, New York,” and many more. Bask in favorite tunes of the era blended with sentimental stories about these legendary artists, delivered with a twist from the circa-authentic stage set.
In addition to Sinatra’s most popular recordings (most arranged by Nelson Riddle), A Swingin’ Affair performs hits from the era’s most recognizable crooners, delivering captivating music. No swinging performance would be complete without a little dancing in the aisles, so wear your dancing shoes and sway the night away!
In its dedication to sustaining the intrinsic value of music education, A Swingin’ Affair supports middle and high school instrumental students through its Collaborative Music Education and Enrichment (CEP) fundraiser program, offering world-class masterclasses led by top artists, preserving the living history of swing and jazz culture with today’s aspiring musicians.
To learn more about A Swingin’ Affair big band, its concerts or leadership, or to explore opportunities for education and fundraiser collaboration programs, visit aswinginaffair.com, email aswinginaffairband@gmail.com, or visit A Swingin’ Affair on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
