Music Heals – Worcester Chamber Music Society Performance At Abby’s House
By Tiffany Williams –
On Friday, residents of Abby’s House, located in the heart of Worcester, were treated to an uplifting midday musical performance curated by the esteemed Worcester Chamber Music Society.
The talented ensemble featured Krista Buckland Reisner, Rohan Gregory, Mark Berger, and Peter Sulski on violin, with Joshua Gordon skillfully accompanying them on cello. These accomplished musicians captivated the audience with a selection of pieces by the renowned composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Joseph Haydn, showcasing their exceptional artistry and passion for chamber music.
Annemarie Govardhan, Senior Director of Women’s Services at Abby’s House told NewsTalk New England, “From a programming perspective, we don’t have a lot of musical events. And we are very fortunate that the Worcester Chamber Music Society wrote a grant to be able to come and continue to provide this beautiful music for our residents and community to enjoy. They come several times a year and it’s been an ongoing relationship that we really look forward to continuing.”
When asked how performances by the Worcester Chamber Music Society helps the women of Abby’s house. Annemarie replied, “The thinking behind it was that music can be very healing and that classical music is often not as accessible as other kinds of music. So to be able to bring that into the community instead of at concerts in a music hall, or something like that does expose people to music that they might not necessarily otherwise be able to access.”
Abby’s House, officially known as Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc., was founded in Worcester in 1976 as a beacon of hope for those in need. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing shelter, affordable housing, as well as vital advocacy and support services to homeless, battered, and low-income women, with or without children. By creating a safe and nurturing environment, Abby’s House empowers women to reclaim their lives and rebuild their futures.
Since its humble beginnings, Abby’s House has positively impacted the lives of over 16,000 women and their children, helping them to navigate their challenges and embrace self-directed lives filled with dignity, hope, and resilience.
Krista Buckland Reisner one of the founding team members of the Worcester Chamber Music Society was brought on by Peter Sulski and Tracy Kraus 19 years ago, she talked NewsTalk New England about how important it is for the Worcester Chamber Music Society to perform at Abby’s House, and said, “It’s part of our mission. Absolutely critical. Why it’s important is because music is meant to be a way of communicating and lifting up people. It doesn’t matter where they are, how many there are in a room, it’s about that one-on-one connection with music. So that’s absolutely part of what we do. It’s part of being a member of our community and bringing the whole community up and lifting their spirits.”
The Worcester Chamber Music Society, hailed for its creativity, style, and musical proficiency, made a stunning debut in the Worcester, Massachusetts music scene with its inaugural concert in 2006. Over the years, it has established itself as a vital cultural presence in the Greater Worcester area, consistently presenting sold-out concerts that engage captivated audiences, earning widespread critical acclaim, and nurturing the next generation of musicians through initiatives like Neighborhood Strings and Summer Music Camp.
This dynamic organization brings world-class chamber music to intimate venues across Greater Worcester, enriching the community through an innovative blend of affordable concerts, educational outreach, and community engagement initiatives.
Mary Dick, a resident at Abby’s House talking about the Friday performance, told NewsTalk New England, “A number one five-star quality music right here in Worcester, Mass. We could go to New York City, we could go to Boston, and we could hear great concerts. This is on the same level of excellence of any concert that we would see in New York City, Chicago, Boston. The quality is so high. High caliber, high quality performances. And they come and they do this for us. They don’t charge us anything. We also have concerts in the city. I mean, this is just fantastic.”
When asked how important it is to have the Worcester Chamber Music Society perform at Abby’s House, Mary said, “The title of the program, I believe, I believe they’re marketing it as, or advertising it as, Music Heals. I mean, it’s two words and it says so much. And I like on their logo, it says, Worcester Chamber Music Society. Be Engaged. Again, two words, but they say a lot. And it’s wonderful that they do this for us. And people who work here, people who live here, can come and have this wonderful experience. Some people who don’t have cars, who might not be able to drive to concerts, who can’t stay out late at night. If they go to a concert, maybe they have problems driving home in the dark, or they don’t have a car, or they don’t want to go alone. Any of those situations, that wouldn’t be a hindrance to them enjoying this. This is right in the middle of the day, on a Friday, right here at Abby’s House. So it’s really great.”
Both the Worcester Chamber Music Society and Abby’s House are nonprofits in Worcester. If you would like to make a donation to Abby’s House, click here, or you can contact Jennifer Spicer, the Director of Development & Communications at (508) 756-5486. Abby’s House also accepts in-kind donations, and to make an in-kind donation, you can contact Anna Maruca Hoak, the In-Kind Coordinator. To make a donation to Worcester Chamber Music Society, click here.
