Spring Salon at the Nature Center

The MCO is pleased to share that our Spring Salon, held at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier on May 4th, was a lovely, memorable evening. We raised money for the North Branch Nature Center’s Forest Preschool Program, as well as for the orchestra’s general fund. We’d like to thank all of our sponsors and our guests for joining us on what turned into a magical evening of intimate performances and beautiful weather amidst a month of cloudy days.

Music Director, Anne Decker, curated musical guest ensembles around the property including Suzanne Smith playing gorgeous Bach unaccompanied suites for cello in the barn (Swallow’s Nest), and Ruth Einstein and the Standard Deviations providing a festive jazzy entrance on the porch. Guests enjoyed a Mediterranean spread provided by The Hippie Chickpea chef, Vince Muraco. After dining, guests were treated to a solo concert with renowned oboist, Ellen Katz Willner, in collaboration with Vermont’s own virtuoso pianist, Diane Huling, in the Maxham room. Teachers from the Nature Center also supported the event - thank you Harriet Hart and Mary Zentara, as well as our orchestra volunteers Sandra Cathey (oboe), Lucy Wollaeger (bassoon), Nancy Emple (violin), Connie Story (violin) and Bruce Story (violin). All of our volunteers enabled us to make this another waste-free event! Thanks to Leah Greenberg for managing the event.

The featured guest soloist, Ms. Willner, is a member of the American Ballet Theater Orchestra. She performed alongside local pianist Diane Huling and gave the audience stellar performances in two acts. MCO Principle Horn, Cynthia Smith, recited poetry and prose to accompany to accompany Willner’s performance of Six Metamorphoses After Ovid. Ms. Willner has performed with the New England Baroque Soloists, New York Chamber Soloists, served as principal oboist of both the Bogota and Caracas symphony orchestras, and was a founding member of the Quintet of the Americas.