NEWBURYPORT — The Essex Ensemble, featuring top-tier musicians from several of the most highly regarded orchestras in Boston, will perform on August 14 at 6 pm at Maudslay Arts Center. The eight musicians, playing oboe, violin, cello and viola will present a repertoire that includes the music of J C Bach, Karl Stamitz, and Antonio Vivaldi. All proceeds benefit the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry, which serves 250 to 300 guests each Friday.
Several of the musicians regularly volunteer at local food pantries including the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry. Andrew Price, the principal oboe at the for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the Bach, Beethoven and Brahms Society, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra conceived of the idea of a concert when he heard about the pantry’s need to build a new home on the church grounds.
Andrew commented, “I’ve been volunteering for this pantry every Friday for more than a year. Everyone here is a volunteer and we all find it satisfying work. It feels good to help neighbors. Our work has provided a lifeline for so many in the community. We deliver about 100 orders every week, with three-quarters of our guests from Newburyport and Newbury.”
Jane Merrow, the volunteer founder of the pantry expressed her excitement to be bringing such accomplished musicians to the area. “People drive to Boston and Tanglewood to see this quality of performance.” She continued, “Music has always been part of our Pantry’s story. Before COVID, when guests came to shop for themselves, local musicians would play piano or a harp while people shopped.”
The Essex Ensemble Concert will offer table and lawn seating and a cash bar. A local food truck will be on hand. Reserved table seats are $50 per person in tables of three or four. Lawn tickets (bring your blanket or chair) are $30. Children under 12 are free.
For more information visit: newburyfoodpantry.org.
The mission of the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry is to alleviate the impact of hunger on individuals and families in the greater Newbury/Newburyport area and provide opportunities for community residents to help their neighbors. Healthy and nutritional food is distributed at no cost to anyone struggling to feed themselves or their families. Neighbors in need are welcomed with compassion and respect.
