Carnival of Animals 

Meet a menagerie of creatures in a performance of “Carnival of the Animals” by Upper Valley Music Center’s Tour Group! This string ensemble, featuring 14 middle and high school students from throughout the Upper Valley, will perform selections from the piece by Camille Saint-Saëns. Each movement brings a different animal to life, and the musical presentation will be accompanied by a read-aloud and beautiful illustrations projected for everyone to enjoy. This is a wiggle-friendly concert, open to all ages. 

Upper Valley Music Center and Lebanon Libraries Launch Partnership
Lebanon, NH. Upper Valley Music Center and the Lebanon Libraries are launching a new partnership to bring music education programs into the Lebanon public libraries. The series of participatory events will include free monthly programs in a variety of musical genres and topics. UVMC and Lebanon Libraries invite the public to develop musical skills, knowledge, and a life-long love of music.

The goal of this collaboration is to make music education accessible to Lebanon and Upper Valley residents by offering free programming in a welcoming community space. Programs will be designed to appeal to a broad range of ages, interests, and musical background, with activities for people with no musical experience as well as opportunities for people with experience to learn new skills. Programs will be presented by UVMC faculty as well as guest musicians, all experienced music educators who are skilled at leading interactive and engaging classes. Participants can learn more about instruments, gain a deeper understanding of music theory and history, or immerse themselves in the rich history and cultural influences of music from around the world.

The program kicked off on January 27, 2023 with a DJ Workshop led by UVMC faculty member Sean Hay, aka DJ Sean, a well-known local DJ who shared beginning mixing and hosting skills with 10 teens and adults. Programs will be offered approximately monthly and dates announced on a quarterly basis. The Spring 2023 series includes a blues guitar workshop, a music class for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and a traditional music jam. Plans for events later in the year include sing-alongs, an instrument petting zoo, and an  Indonesian gamelan workshop.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Lebanon Libraries to offer a range of music education programs designed to inspire and educate people of all ages,” commented Ben Van Vliet, Executive Director of UVMC. “Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, we have something for everyone.”

UVMC received a grant from The Lane and Elizabeth C. Dwinell Charitable Trust to support these free events, as well as additional programs to make music education programs more accessible to the community. 

The Upper Valley Music Center is a non-profit community music school based in Lebanon, NH, serving more than 1,200 students a year from across the Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire. UVMC’s expert faculty work with beginning through advanced students and teach programs designed for ages birth through adulthood. Founded in 1995, UVMC’s programs include early childhood music, Suzuki and traditional lessons on a variety of instruments, group classes, and ensemble opportunities. UVMC hosts more than 70 student, faculty, and guest artist performances throughout the year, offers music camps during the summer, and sponsors the Upper Valley Chamber Orchestra and the Community Chorus at UVMC.