CHAMBER SERIES-Songs From Here with Sarah Tuttle Sunday, September 15 at 3pm 

The Songs From Here initiative was founded in the fall of 2021 and emerged from a desire to engage the wider Maine community with the creation and performance of art song. We aim to create safe and welcoming collaborative environments and increase the visibility of Maine-made music through high-quality performances and hands-on educational programs. Our work is rooted in supporting song composers of today and tomorrow through the commission of new works by Maine-based composers and the education of Maine’s student musicians.

….but what’s art song?

An art song is a piece of vocal music, usually written for one voice with piano, often a musical setting of a poem. Late in the 18th century, folks wanted to enjoy music at home, but didn’t have the means to hire musicians whenever they wanted…but they couldafford a piano. People learned to play and sing to keep themselves entertained, gradually opening up their homes to fellow singers, pianists, composers and music-lovers creating what’s known as a “Liederabend” (song-evening), in which folks could share, discuss, and celebrate song in a comfortable, welcoming setting. Songs From Here seeks to recreate the warmth of the Liederabend experience in our performances and residencies.