The Wednesday Afternoon Musical Club opens its 126th season with “RACH 2 POP, Classical Tunes that Topped the Charts” on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. at Jesse Lee United Methodist Church, 25 Flat Rock Road.
The concert features classical music which later became popular songs. Musicians will play the classic piece on the piano or organ, and our singers will then sing the popular song. The concert is also a Celebration of the Life of Joan Brainerd Noland, award-winning soprano and opera impresario who was an honorary member of the club for more than 25 years.
Noland lived in New Canaan, Redding and Thomaston, and everywhere she went she started opera studios and staged operas for everyone. She founded the Redding Arts Council and was instrumental in the founding of the Easton Arts Council. Her concerts at the Easton Public Library helped to raise money for the new library as well as the Bradley Hubbell House. She created performance opportunities for many young singers and educated the public on the beauty and value of classical music through Delphi Opera Studio and the Connecticut Opera Alliance.
Wednesday Afternoon Music Club performers will be joined by featured guest artists from Noland’s Delphi Studio. There will be a reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcomed for the club’s scholarship programs.
The Wednesday Afternoon Music Club was established in 1898 and is one of the oldest federated music clubs in the country. It was originally stationed in Bridgeport where wives of the university faculty held regular informal musical concerts in their homes. It grew during the 1910s and 1920s to become a substantial force in the greater Bridgeport area.
In 1932 when Jacob Klein donated money for what would become the Klein Memorial Concert Hall, he noted in his will that the Wednesday Afternoon Music Club would sit on the board of this worthy institute. The club sponsored concerts of famous performers. They did fundraisers for both World War I and World War II, donating two ambulances and money to the Red Cross. Outreach included teaching music in the local public schools.
The club has a commitment to music education for young people. A Junior Club was established in the 1920s and during its existence provided opportunities for young musicians to perform. A college scholarship program was established in the 1950s and since then the club has supported many young musicians in accredited music performance and music education programs.
Some of these scholarship winners have gone on to be nominated for and win Grammy awards as well as play and conduct in prestigious ensembles and symphonies. Currently the club is sponsoring Easton resident Phoebe Merrill, guitarist, songwriter and performer, at college in Nashville, Tenn. as well as donating to The Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra.
In the 21st Century, the club has continued its goals of providing performing venues for its members, musical outreach to the community and raising funds for scholarships for young musicians. The club has recently moved its performing venues to Jesse Lee Church where two concerts will be held yearly. For more information visit the Wednesday Afternoon Music Club website or call 203-767-0064.
