Event Calendar
Come see us this season and look whose been here over the past seasons.
This lively and enthusiastic band has provided evenings of European folk, American Pop and all genres in between for many years as a benefit for the Opera House. Clarinet, sax, percussion, accordion, piano, voice and more share the music making with both gusto and sweetness. If you haven’t experienced Klezmer before, now is the time. Thanks go to Dana Mandel and Lifespan Physical Therapies for their support.
Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble performs the seventh of what has become an annual Sunday afternoon, early fall concert. The group always presents a singular, piano-free program for the Opera House. This year’s features two extended Classical period quintets, the Kuhlau Quintet for Fute and Strings in D Major, Op. 51, No. 1, and the Mozart Quintet in C Major, KV 515. The group consists of Janet Sung, violin; Roberta Crawford, viola; and Stefan Reuss, cello, with guests Jessica Tong, violin; David Rose, viola; and Barry Crawford, flute. Sponsored in part by a Finger Lakes Community Arts Grant. https://
Bones East, a group exceptionally talented trombonists, will present an exciting program at the historic Morgan Opera House Sunday, November 17 at 1 PM. Lead by William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and retired music professor at Syracuse University, Christmas tunes plus classical and jazz numbers are on the program. The group plays familiar tunes arranged in four-part harmony by Tom Camp for maximum resonance. The performers include a range of musicians —mostly semi-professionals, retirees and students from all over Central New York—who volunteer their time and talent. The donations will benefit the Mor
gan Opera House programing. Contact trcampoo1@gmail.com for more information about Bones East.
POSTPONED in response to the need for social distancing due to Covid-19
The Probables are a “rhythm-driven, folkcana/roots rock band” that has sought to perform in all the opera houses in Western New York (along with other venues). Many music lovers in the region became familiar with founder Steve Johnson as the lead singer and main songwriter for the popular jam band Big Leg Emma, which performed at the Grassroots Festival and opened for Donna the Buffalo. After Big Leg Emma went on hiatus in 2015, Johnson picked up the pieces and created The Probables in March 2016. When writing material for the band, he stayed true to his rock, folk and bluegrass influences. The addition of Adam McKillip – an already accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist from Erie, PA – has added an extra boost to the band’s sound and power. The lineup changes came at the perfect time, as the band has already spent time in the studio recording new songs for a future release to complement the 2 albums they have already put out, Cumberland Line and this time around. Videos of their performances can be found on YouTube.
The Probables:
Steve Johnson – Lead Singer/Acoustic Guitar
Matt Gronquist – Accordion/Fiddle/Vocals
Adam McKillip – Mandolin/Vocals
Ryan Ecklund -Bass
Nick Campbell – Drums
The Morgan Opera House proudly announces a Classic Chamber Ensemble performance featuring Lindsay Groves, cello, Edgar Tumajyan and Jonathan Hwang, violins, and Victoria Miskolczy, viola. Two pieces by Beethoven, the “Razumovsky” Opus 59 #2 and the “Harp” Opus 74 will be among the selections to be performed. The concert is free but donations would be appreciated. Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. Made possible by a Finger Lakes Community Arts Grant.
For more information, please contact 315-364-5437 or morganopera@yahoo.com.
An octet, eight trombones, formed from the original Bones East ensemble will perform at the Morgan Opera House as part of the village Christmas in Aurora celebration at 2pm Saturday, December 4th. Those who enjoyed the 2019 performance featuring 26 musicians squeezed onto the Opera House stage know what a thrilling concert of Christmas and secular music this promises to be. William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and music professor at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College serves as conductor.
The concert is FREE, but donations for the King Ferry food pantry will be gladly accepted. Masks required regardless of vaccination status.
For more information, please contact 315-364-5437 or morganopera@yahoo.com.
Before joining forces, Riche & Rosie were well-established within the ‘Old Timey Music” world, a recognized genre of American folk music that pre-dates bluegrass and stretches back to the early years of the US. The duo’s musical journey wandered through several different bands while they refined their skills and gathered a wide range of musical influences. Richie and Rosie are proof of two things: the power and magic of two people making music, and that the universal messages that lie within their songs remain timeless and an honest connection with their audience. Suggested donation: $10.
An innovative musical performance featuring original selections from their recently released CD, “Exit 33”, as well as classic compositions. Chuck Lamb played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet for many years and Peter Mack has been a respected bassist playing with his own group and other nationally known musicians. Their music reflects the deep roots both artists have in upstate NY and is inspired by an ever-expanding vision of their shared musical expression described as “joyful, bright and magical.”
Suggested donation: $10
On December 3 at 1 PM, as part of Christmas in Aurora, the Bones East Octet, an eight piece trombone ensemble, will perform a family friendly holiday concert featuring popular Christmas music including Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Silent Night, a few classical pieces and maybe some jazz at the Morgan Opera House. The group has performed at colleges, churches and community events and even to enthusiastic audiences at the Morgan Opera House. The eight trombonists range from semi-pros to talented students who volunteer their time and effort. The concert is free but monetary donations for the King Ferry Food Pantry are appreciated. The Morgan Opera House, 370 Main Street, Aurora, NY, is handicapped accessible using the ramp on the Cherry Avenue side of the building.
Bones East Octet is fortunate to have William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and music professor at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College serve as conductor and Tom Camp as Arranger and Co-Conductor.
For further information contact Wayne Blann, fwayneblann@gmail.com
The Poplar Ridge Players’ annual production of the Shepherds’ Play (our 44th year!) will be based in Aurora—at the Morgan Opera House– showtime is 7PM on Saturday, December 17. Admission is free.
The Shepherds’ Play is a Medieval play preserved by an isolated community living on an island in the Danube River and not transcribed until the late 19th Century. Parts were handed down through families—something like that has happened with our group, consisting of your friends and neighbors. Like the wonderful Middle English Second Shepherds’ Play, it blends slapstick with reverence.
The Poplar Ridge Players are grateful to the Morgan Opera House and Aurora Free Library for making the great space available.
For more information call/text Chris MacCormick at 607-351-6864