LEWISTON — The Oasis of Music concludes its first season of free public concerts at Trinity Church, 247 Bates St., with a month of music which includes jazz, folk, classical, contemporary and early classical performances.

 

On Wednesday, May 4, Scott Vaillancourt performs a concert on tuba.  The program includes a variety of classical pieces, improvisation and at least one piece for pre-programmed computer music and tuba.  Vaillancourt is the organist and choir director for the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and is on the applied music faculty at Bowdoin College.

 

Pianist Neil Pearlman is the featured artist Wednesday, May 11, when he shares his unique approach to fusing old and new Scottish music with jazz improvisation.  Having grown up in a family engrossed in traditional Scottish music and dance,  Pearlman is infused with the genre, and takes it to new and exciting places.  His talents have brought him into collaborations with some of our greatest living Scottish fiddlers, including Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser and Katie McNally.  Joining him with fiddle on a few numbers will be Oasis curator Greg Boardman.

 

Two top music students from Bates College, Becky Schwartz on flute and violist Sohee Ki,  perform Wednesday, May 18.  These women are senior music majors who have performed and studied extensively during their four years at Bates.

 

The Bow and String Band performs the music of Monteverdi, Telemann and Haydn to wrap up the season on Wednesday, May 25.  The group tunes its instruments a half-step lower than standard pitch, which gives the band a sound closer to the period their music emerged from.  Musicians in the Bow and String Band include Mark Norberg, on the six-string tenor viola da gamba, Barbara Oliver on cello, and Greg Boardman on viola.

 

The Oasis of Music happens at Trinity Church, 247 Bates Street,  12:30 to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.   For more information call 344-3106.