Around Hear: The Search for Happiness (A Concert)

This concert is all about joy. Come out for ticklishly happy Mozart, a funny play with hilarious art by Somerville’s own Jef Czekaj, bassoonified pop tunes, a tender and transporting folk dance from China, a thrilling world premiere, and a lively set of 1930’s Caribbean tunes that will sending you prancing outside for an after-concert pizza party and lawn games.

★ Free
★ Open to the public
★ Listeners of all ages are welcome
★ Refreshments served
★ Write, draw, move while you listen
★ After-concert pizza party!

Program

Prelude performance by Around Hear all-ages violin and piano classes

Sonata for Piano and Violin in C Major, KV. 296, by W.A. Mozart 

“The Search for Happiness” - a musical mini-play by Marji Gere, with cartoons by local artist Jef Czekaj

“Popsical Medley” for two bassoons, by Jacob Barton 

“YangKo” for violin & two percussionists, by Chen Yi

“Agglomeration” for clarinet, two bassoons, violin and piano, by Eric Thomas (world premiere)

“Las Bellas Noches de Maiquetia” by Pedro Arcila Ponte, Venezuela 

“Prend Yo” by Occide Jeanty, Haiti 

“Du Feu Prix en Tête Man Nordé” by Ernest Léardée, Martinique

...arranged by Jacob Barton, 2026 

Performers

Eric Thomas, clarinet & saxophone

Nisreen Nor & Tamara Plummer, bassoons

Marji Gere, violin & Dan Sedgwick, piano

Musicians will share acting & percussion duties.

Social Media

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfMD7lgAmf/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KpQBJJxXt/
 

Support for this Program

This program is supported by The Boston Foundation Free for All Endowment Fund, Adelard A. and Valeda Lea Roy Foundation, and the Somerville Housing Authority. Before this public event, special performances will be shared with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from the Healey School, and Somerville Housing Authority residents at Brady Towers, Properzi Manor, and Bryant Manor.

Our Mission

The mission of Around Hear is to enrich the life of the City of Somerville by offering innovative, uplifting, free chamber music concerts and community music classes to generationally, culturally, and economically diverse audiences. We collaborate with the Somerville Housing Authority, Mystic Learning Center, local social service organizations, and community-oriented artists to make all of our activities inviting and accessible to all. We especially strive to connect with low-income citizens, youth, seniors, recent immigrants, and people with disabilities. We invite all who feel inspired by our music, art, and community-building activities to partner with us.

Learn more at www.aroundhear.org