Music at the Crossroads

Music at the Crossroads is a concert series, begun in 2017 as an outgrowth of the Edwards Church Vision Statement. Inspired by the opening words “gathering at the crossroads of ancient faith and contemporary culture,” the series aims to present a spiritually meaningful combination of traditional and contemporary music. The series is funded by the Edwards Church vision initiatives and by a gift from Barbara King. Admission is free for all concerts, but donations go to local charities supported by Edwards Church.

2022-2024 Music at the Crossroads series

Friday March 1st, 2024 at 7:30 PM Kimaya Diggs, Special Duo Performance

Kimaya Diggs is a musician and writer, born and based in the rolling hills of Western Massachusetts. The sounds of her childhood included Emily Dickinson, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, 70’s soul, and songs around the table with her family. Kimaya grew up singing with her sisters and found her voice across the facets of neo-soul, jazz, and R&B.

Suggested donation: $10-30

100% of donations benefit the Cancer Connection.

 

Saturday October 28th, 2023 at 7:30 pm Abigail Stauffer and Dave the Cellist

Abigail Stauffer and Dave the Cellist blend soulful pop vocals with the rare and distinct sound of jazz cello. Dave’s fluid mastery over his instrument lays down a foundation over which Abigail effortlessly jumps between registers, revealing her astounding vocal control and tone palate. Every song is a captivating showcase of confidence and vulnerability, crafting a balance of pain, hope, and joy. Their show evokes so much emotion, it’s hard to believe each song isn’t specifically about you.

This a free concert to benefit Center for New Americans.

Donations will be collected in the sanctuary.

 

August 18th, 2023 at 7:30 pm

“Free Concert” Music at the Crossroads presents: Eavesdrop

Originating as an acoustic trio, Kara Wolf, Laura Buchanan and Kerrie Bowden maintain their vocal roots and continue to shape their sound through collaborative songwriting. With over seven years of writing, performing and touring together, these Western Massachusetts natives have honed a special sound that brings the listener in and surrounds them with a powerful combination of intricate harmonies, contagious melodies and moving rhythm. Their voices belong together, artfully weaving their soulful lyrics into songs that will withstand the test of time.

With their latest self-titled LP, Eavesdrop has found their sonic home. Incorporating some of the valley’s finest musicians — Jared Quinn (John Cruz, Live on the Planet w/ Kim Zombik) on guitar, Sturgis Cunningham (Peter Tork, Martin Sexton) on drums, and Marc Seedorf (Dinosaur Jr., Mark Mulcahy, Eat Fire Spring) on both bass and production — the band has composed and recorded each song together. You can hear the synergistic approach and the heart that went into each track.

Donations will go to: Trans Asylum Seeker Support Network

https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/projects/183051-the-trans-asylum-seekers-support-network-tassn

 

Friday June 23rd, 2023 at 7 pm

TUNDI PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

[Tristan + Isolde] / Marke

Tristan und Isolde re-imagined…

Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde was the originating project of TUNDI, first performed by us in its entirety in 2019. It is the reason for our existence, and our name: Tristan UND Isolde. We are committed to exploring and sharing the wonder of this work that we love so much, even while preparing a Ring Cycle.

Our re-working is in three scenes, for three cast members and four instrumentalists. The beating heart of the piece is the amorous and sublime Liebesnacht (Night Of Love). The lovers believe they are alone in the night, but they are condemned to exist in the world, the unforgiving daylight, until they are unified in death.

We position Marke as Everyman, no longer a king, but a passionately committed outsider: sensitive and alpha; loved and loving; highly invested in thinking the best of the two people he loved the most, only to betray him. He sees that Isolde and Tristan share a love that passes all understanding. Through his eyes, we are all confounded and intoxicated by this world that only they can live in.

We will be inviting attendees to help us devise a great title for our work. Can we solve the equation?

Jenna Rae, Alan Schneider, Kirk Eichelberger and Hugh Keelan merge their artistry for an intimate examination of the forces of love, misunderstanding, and transcendence.

With Noemi Miloradović: Violin, Spencer Phillips: Double Bass, James Sharrock: English Horn

 

Friday April 28, 2023 at 7 pm

Join us for a “Night of A Capella” including “On That Note”, “Pride Chorus”, The Wise Guys”, and The Northamptones. This is a free concert but we are taking donations for Survivor Arts Collective of Easthampton.

 

Friday December 16th, 2022 at 7:00 pm Becoming Sanctuary for Each Other
Our Advent performance will continue the theme of Becoming Sanctuary for Each Other, a message we feel is needed now more than ever. Dan Shanahan (author and poet); Carla Bee (singer); Jonas (author, Shakuhachi & Native American flute); Sarah Briggs (violinist); Megan Moore (storyteller); Russell Mariani (Charles Dickens). We so look forward to lighting this sacred road of Advent with ancient chants, music, poems, songs, and stories from various traditions: Look, the Wisemen of the East are making their way already! Tell a friend, bring a friend! Come for peace, for rest, for the spirit of Christmas. The concert is free but donations will be collected in the sanctuary or sent to the church to support Cathedral in The Night.

 

Friday, October 7th, 2022 at 7:30 pm Wistaria String Quartet

The Wistaria String Quartet formed in 2013 to perform George Crumb’s “Black Angels” and Steve Reich’s “Different Trains” as part of Amherst College’s Copeland Colloquium. Since their inception, they have maintained strong ties to Amherst College, where they frequently perform new works by faculty, students, and alumni.

As local musicians living in the Pioneer Valley, the members of the Quartet — violinists Sarah Briggs and Kaila Graef, violist Gregory Diehl and cellist Wayne Smith — share a deeply-rooted commitment to this area’s communities and people. The Quartet has appeared at venues ranging from Amherst College’s Buckley Recital Hall and the Northampton Academy of Music to less traditional locations such as the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, Greenfield’s Pushkin Gallery, the Montague Bookmill, the Hampshire County Jail, and Northampton’s Interfaith Cot Shelter for the homeless. For this performance, our cellist is Karl Knapp who has recently served as Principal Cellist with Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, Arctic Chamber Orchestra, and Juneau Symphony.

Donations will go to Cathedral in the Night: http://www.cathedralinthenight.org/