Beyond the Notes Brings a Fresh New Take on Virtual Concerts

While concert venues remain closed, Concord native and violinist Sarah Whitney remains committed to sustaining the community’s need for the inspiring and healing experience of live music through her highly acclaimed concert series, Beyond the Notes. With the launch of a new COVID friendly series in the 2020 season called “Beyond the Notes Minis”, Beyond the Notes has remained an integral and unifying concert experience in the community. The next concert will be presented virtually, pairing music with exquisite art from Powers Gallery, and feature a guest appearance and live Q&A with NYC composer Jessica Meyer.

Beyond the Notes Minis is a COVID friendly live mini-concert series that highlights the works of Black composers and supports social justice. 25% of all proceeds are donated to an organization that supports social justice. Since starting this series in June, Beyond the Notes has supported Direct Relief, Common Cause, The Voter Participation Center, Leadership Conference Education Fund, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Campaign Zero.

Following sold out performances June-October and in December, the next Beyond the Notes Winter Mini will happen virtually on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 7:30pm EST. The program will highlight the works of Black composers and 25% of the proceeds will be donated to Race Forward, an organization that catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, Race Forward builds strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture.

The February Winter Mini will also feature works by composer Jessica Meyer, including a world premiere of the violin version of Delta Sunrise and a special live appearance and Q&A with the composer, herself. An accomplished violinist, educator, and composer, Meyer’s compositions viscerally explore the wide palette of emotionally expressive colors available to each instrument while using traditional and extended techniques inspired by her varied experiences as a contemporary and period instrumentalist. Her works have been performed by Roomful of Teeth and Vox Clamantis, the American Brass Quintet, cellist Amanda Gookin, SYBARITE5, PUBLIQuartet, NOVUS NY, the North Carolina Symphony, the Nu Deco Ensemble, Vermont Symphony, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and the Studio Orchestra at Peabody Conservatory.

Beyond the Notes is a unique and interactive concert series that Whitney started here in Concord, MA 7 years ago. She has since brought world renowned artists and ensembles to Concord, including Grammy-Award winning artists, Mike Block and Sandeep Das last February.

"Right now, we need community and the arts more than ever," said Whitney. “Although a virtual concert cannot replace all aspects of a live concert, there are elements unique to virtual events that are not possible in a live setting. I am dedicated to finding ways to take advantage of these opportunities and create unforgettable experiences!”

Praised by the Washington Post for her "marvelous violin acrobatics," violinist Sarah Whitney is known for her musical versatility and has been heard worldwide across stages in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the United States. She is recognized as a performer, teacher, entrepreneur and advocate for bringing fresh new ideas to classical music. She is a member of the acclaimed string quintet SYBARITE5, one of the fastest-rising chamber-music ensembles in the United States, whose latest album just reached #2 on the Classical Billboard Charts.

The next series will happen online on Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm EST. Tickets must be purchased in advance and the ticket cost is $30/person and $15/student.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.gobeyondthenotes.com.