Violinist Sarah Whitney, a Concord native, has presented unique concerts in town for almost 10 years. On Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m., she takes the stage at First Parish Church with guest artist Duo Cello e Basso, in partnership with Powers Gallery and Concord Conservatory, to present her highly acclaimed concert series Beyond the Notes, an unforgettable evening of music, artwork and community.
Beyond the Notes gives audiences a chance to get to know the performers by submitting questions to the artists which are randomly drawn and answered throughout the evening. The music includes hidden classical gems, reimagined standards by John Lennon, lesser-known works by today’s most prominent women composers, and original crowd-pleasers by Jessica Meyer and Mike Block.
Duo Cello e Basso, with cellist Emmanuel Feldman and bassist Pascale Delace-Feldman, joins Whitney for an innovative program of solos, duos and trios, including a world premiere. The musicians will perform alongside exquisite artwork from Powers Gallery.
Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to UNICEF to support the crisis in Gaza. 
Since the series launched in 2015, Beyond the Notes has brought in guest artists from around the world, including Grammy-winning cellist Mike Block, tabla player Sandeep Das, the PUBLIQuartet, guitarist David Leisner and pianist Natalia Lavrova. When the pandemic decimated live shows, Whitney created a COVID-safe live mini-concert series highlighting the works of Black composers and supporting social justice, donating 10% of proceeds to a selected organization for each show.
Praised by the Washington Post for her “marvelous violin acrobatics,” Whitney has been heard in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the U.S., including at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall and the Library of Congress.
Duo Cello e Basso “unites passion with elegance,” per the Boston Globe. Feldman will feature his revolutionary invention, the TekStandTM, allowing him to stand and perform with complete freedom of motion for expression and communication with the audience.
Tickets are $30 per person and $15 per student in advance and $35 per person and $15 per student at the door, cash or check only. For information and tickets, visit www.gobeyondthenotes.com.
