Musical Mondays exemplify a remarkable synergy. This collaboration came into sharp focus when the Nevada County Library and local nonprofit classical music presenter InConcert Sierra united their visions.
The vision of the Nevada County Library is to be a center of enrichment, in a strong, empowered, and literate rural community. The vision of InConcert Sierra is to present great music to our community in intimate settings and foster music education for all ages. In March 2017, these visions merged to create a free weekly summer concert series at the Nevada City Madelyn Helling Library’s newly constructed “Marian E. Gallaher M.D. Amphitheater,” offering diverse performances and educational opportunities for a broad audience.
Each week, from 11 a.m. to noon, attendees can expect a completely different experience. While the concert programs are geared toward young children, adults are equally enchanted. This summer, the first concert featured the popular local world-music ensemble Beaucoup Chapeaux. Another concert showcased Sierra Stages cast members performing a fun-filled, abbreviated version of their summer musical “HONK!” A third performance was by the violin and cello “Emerald Duo.”
On Monday, July 8, the Windjammers wind quintet’s concert will include a lively demonstration of how each instrument works. The kids are always delighted to hear the unique sounds that each instrument makes.
Another favorite, the KSK Jazz Trio, will perform on July 15, playing standard jazz tunes, Raffi songs, and other gems that get kids dancing and singing. Harpist Sage Po will perform on July 22, featuring wonderful classical and Celtic pieces. The vibrant and joyous Oktoberfest band Papa-Oom-Pah-Pah will conclude the series on July 29, ensuring foot-stomping and hand-clapping fun for all.
Every concert is different. One year, flutist Kirsti Powell distributed little maracas to the kids, who played and danced along as the woodwind quintet performed “Tico Tico.” Another time, an ensemble engaged the kids by having them conduct with chopsticks. Each performance brings exuberant smiles and movement while experiencing diverse sounds and rhythms.
Maggie McKaig of Beaucoup Chapeaux said, “One of our favorite events is Musical Mondays. Having toddlers charge the stage is one of the most enchanting experiences imaginable. I’m serious. It puts a huge smile on my face.”
Western Songbirds singer Sands Hall who has performed for the series in past seasons said, “What a fabulous audience. Perhaps my favorite moment was the baby that crawled right up on stage trying, it seemed, to crawl right inside the music. What an utter joy.”
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children: children can develop skills in math, literacy, and social studies as they explore and enjoy music. Young children love to sing, make music, and move to the beat and this series is built on nurturing these natural inclinations.
The series began in 2017 as part of the Nevada County Library Summer Reading Program and is sponsored by Friends of the Nevada County Libraries. Since its inaugural concert in June 2017, audiences have steadily grown to a large capacity of well over 100 attendees from ages 0 and above. As the audience size continues to grow, so does the vision and impact of both organizations.
The Friends of Nevada County Libraries is a major sponsor of Musical Mondays and has helped provide enhancements to the outdoor venue including shade coverings over the audience seating. With their support, InConcert has also been able to boost artist fees and purchase improved audio and production equipment.
With summer heat intensifying, concerts will be moved indoors when necessary. Last summer several concerts were taken inside the main library building.
“It was really fun! We got to sing and dance instead of having to be quiet,” said one young attendee, who seemed delighted to be vocal inside the library.
Nevada County Library’s “Lunch at the Library” program in partnership with the Grass Valley School District and the USDA Summer Food Service Program, provides free, healthy meals for kids and teens 0-18 starting at noon. Meals will be available for kids on a first-come, first-served basis.
