Mason Daring Moderates PARMA Panel
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Composer Mason DaringMARK YOUR CALENDAR

John Sayle’s film composer, NHPR’sWeekend Edition anchor, C-SPAN’s president – these are just a few of the luminaries who will be on stage during the multi-faceted Second Annual PARMA Music Festival, August 13-16, 2014in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (Click title to read more)

 

The offerings include a family concert hosted by Prescott Park Arts Festival featuring NHPR Weekend Edition anchor, Amanda Loder, narrating Peter & the Wolf, the very same performance that opened the Festival 40 years ago; C-SPAN president Rob Kennedy introducing a concert of music that airs on C-SPAN; and Mason Daring, the legendary film composer for many John Sayles films, who will be moderating the discussion panels that were so popular at the inaugural PARMA Music Festival in 2013. Also on the roster will be the up and coming Sarah Borrello, the singer/songwriter named “Best New Act” at the 2012 New England Music Awards, and, Michael Mikulka, the Rutgers grad now pursuing his DMA in Composition at the University of Texas, who is the Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 PARMA Student Composer Competition.

The multiple venue/multi-genre, four-day Festival will feature local and international acts, varying from classical and jazz to electronic and rock to indie and folk. With a wide and diverse range of events from live music, to panel discussions, to visual arts, to a children’s event, this year’s Festival will bring together a wonderfully diverse crowd to perform, collaborate, and listen. The Festival features 14 concerts featuring top PARMA artists, local and international acts, a family-oriented orchestral concert, a concert with alternative groups collaborating with classical musicians, a concert inspired by Shakespeare’s texts, Licensing panels, and The Main Event at The Music Hall Historic Theater, all featuring contemporary music at 12 venues over four days.

 

Mason Daring
masondaring.com

Mason Daring is a film composer, singer/songwriter, and producer best known for scoring almost all of John Sayles’ films, including Return of the Secaucus Seven,The Brother from Another Planet, and Secret of Roan Inish, and for theme music for PBS series Nova and Frontline. His record label, Daring Records, is a sub-label of American independent label, Rounder Records. Back in the day, his band was the house act at the famed Bull & Finch Pub in Boston - the model for the TV show Cheers, and a fixture at Cambridge's famed Passim's Folk Club, where they continue to gather as part of the Passim All-Stars.

 

Amanda Loder
nhpr.org/people/amanda-loder

Amanda Loder reports on business and the economy in NHPR's newsroom, and hosts Weekend Edition. Amanda joined New Hampshire Public Radio following four years of reporting and hosting at Spokane Public Radio in Washington State. At Spokane Public Radio, she was recognized with regional Edward R. Murrow and SPJ awards for her feature and series reporting. During four years at SPR, she worked her way up from general assignment reporter to features, and was ultimately tapped to host All Things Considered. Amanda, a native Iowan, received her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Religious Studies from Lawrence University, and a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University.

 

Sarah Borrello
sarahborrellomusic.com

With a voice that grabs you and won’t let go, this singer/songwriter was named “Best New Act of 2012″ at the New England Music Awards, at just 22 years old, and that’s after winning the Boston Folk Festival Songwriting competition at 15. She has performed in the Northeast for six years, supporting such established acts as Amanda Palmer and Shawn Mullins. When asked how to describe her music, Sarah says, “1/4 cup Grace Slick, 1/2 cup Fiona Apple and 1/4 cup Janice Joplin melted together until you get a smooth, strong consistency”.

 

Michael Mikulka
michaelmikulka.com/

This Rutgers grad is currently pursuing his DMA in Composition at the University of Texas and is active as both a composer and performer. As the Grand Prize Winner, Michael's piece To Throw will be performed by the Redline Brass Quintet at the Main Event.

Redline Brass Quintet  


redlinebrass.com

Made up of some of the Boston area’s most talented and active musicians, the Redline Brass Quintet is quickly growing to be one of the most exciting groups to see on stage and in the classroom. A collection of unique personalities with sensitive musicianship, the Redline Brass met while diligently studying at the New England Conservatory of Music. In recognition of their “skill and artistry in engaging audiences of all ages and contexts”, RBQ was awarded the first President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Artistry from the Longy School of Music (of Bard College). 

 

About the PARMA Music Festival

Wednesday, August 13 Saturday, August 16, 2014
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contemporary music.
Local and international acts.
14 concerts. 12 venues. 4 days.
Breaking barriers. Bridging genres. Again.

The Festival features 14 concerts featuring top PARMA artists, local and international acts, a family-oriented orchestral concert, a concert with alternative groups collaborating with classical musicians, a concert inspired by Shakespeare’s texts, Licensing panels, and the Main Event at The Music Hall Historic Theater, all featuring contemporary music at 12 venues over four days.

For more information about the Festival, please visitwww.parmamusicfestival.org