OCTOBER 2023

Feature of Note

Recapping an Eventful Visit by PGS President Paul Jackson

Free Music Exhibit Opening 1

Above: Percy Grainger Society President Paul Jackson (far left) discusses Grainger's experimental processes of developing Free Music machines with visitors at the exhibit grand opening on September 14th. 

The Percy Grainger Home & Studio in White Plains, New York, was filled with activity in mid-September during Percy Grainger Society (PGS) President Paul Jackson's visit. Within a span of just four days, Paul welcomed the public to several special events including the Free Music exhibit opening, a Third Sundays house tour, and a book launch conversation with author Teresa R. Balough.

Paul also took time to connect with PGS staff, volunteers, and visitors from near and far. During his Third Sundays tour, Paul had the chance to meet one of Percy Grainger's neighbors who shared memories of living in an apartment next door to the Graingers as a young boy in the 1950s, hearing Percy practicing piano and attending Percy's living room concerts!

Free Music Exhibit Opening 2

Above: Percy Grainger Society President Paul Jackson (far left) explores Grainger's "Gliding Tones on Whistle, Notes on Recorder" Free Music machine with visitors during a Third Sundays Tour of the Grainger Home & Studio in White Plains. 

If you didn't have a chance to explore the new Free Music exhibit during Paul's September visit, please consider joining us for the next Third Sundays Tour on November 19 at 2 pm. Our curators, Anne Ocone and Stewart Lee, will present an overview of the exhibit and discuss how Grainger's White Plains home was an active creative work space for the development of his Free Music machines. View additional information and register for the event through this link to our website.

Volunteer Spotlight 

Setting the Stage for a Spectacular Exhibit Opening  

Free Music Exhibit Opening 3

Above: Percy Grainger Society President Paul Jackson (far left) discusses the new Free Music Exhibit with an attendee at the exhibit grand opening on September 14th. Percy Grainger Society Volunteer Stewart Lee (far right) assisted with the exhibit curation and installation.

How can you make the grand opening of an exhibit truly grand? Add volunteers! We are incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful team of volunteers locally and globally whose creativity and dedication made the grand opening of our latest exhibit, "Tone Rhythm Pitch: Exploring Percy Grainger's Free Music," a true success!

From preparing, curating, and installing the exhibit to securing The West Point Academy Clarinet Quartet as guest performers, volunteers Stewart Lee and Curt Ebersole brought Percy Grainger's work to life during a memorable September evening at 7 Cromwell Place. And, in addition to leading the event, Percy Grainger Society President Paul Jackson assisted in the exhibit preparation by writing text for many of the exhibit panels as well!

West Point Academy Clarinet Quartet

Above: The West Point Academy Clarinet Quartet performing on the porch of the Grainger Home & Studio. Left to Right: SSG Kristina Teuschler, Chris Peña, SFC Cory Thompson, and SSG Julian Jenkins,

The exhibit opening came to a memorable close with the West Point Academy Clarinet Quartet performing arrangements of Molly on the Shore, Children’s March, The Brisk Young Sailor, Irish Tune from County Derry, and Shepherd’s Hey live from the front porch of Grainger's historic White Plains home. Curt Ebersole, conductor and music director of the Westchester Symphonic Winds, made arrangements for the performance and flawlessly coordinated one personnel change. Stepping in for West Point Principal Clarinet Kristen Mather de Andrade was Westchester Symphonic Winds Principal Clarinet, Chris Peña! Thank you, Curt, for bringing these very special musical guests to the Grainger Home & Studio!

West Point Academy Clarinet Quartet 2

Above: Members of the West Point Academy Clarinet Quartet are greeted by Percy Grainger Society President Paul Jackson after their performance at the Free Music exhibition grand opening. Percy Grainger Society volunteer Curt Ebersole (far right) invited and secured the group to perform for the event. (Photo by Michael Fleischmann)

Membership Happenings

Grainger Reimagined

Grainger Reimagined_Arrangement

Grainger Reimagined is a series of virtual events exploring the ways in which Grainger’s outputs as composer, arranger, and performer have been recast in the contemporary moment. Information about the entire series is here.

The first presentation in the series, Reimagining Grainger Through Arrangement, is given by Chalon Ragsdale, Professor of Percussion at the University of Arkansas. Ragsdale is the 2003 recipient of the Percy Grainger Society's Grainger Medallion and owner of Aux Arcs Music, a publishing firm that has produced 30 editions of Grainger's music for wind band and percussion ensemble. 

In this presentation, Professor Ragsdale will use Grainger’s words to provide insights and advice on arranging his music, as well as his advice on arranging music in general. The event takes place via Zoom on October 26th at 4 pm. For additional information, follow this link to the event listing on our website.

Register for the October 26th Virtual Event

Save the Date

Giving Tuesday  

What is GivingTuesday? It's a global day of giving fueled by the concept that  generosity is universally held value -- and that we can build the world we want to live in through collective generosity. This year's goal for the Percy Grainger Society is $15,000 and there is a match of $7500 making your gift worth double.

With activity in every country on every continent, you can join an inclusive community of millions of givers this GivingTuesday. Mark your calendar for November 28th and show your support for the Percy Grainger Society's mission and vision -- to promote the work and legacy of Percy Grainger and empower an international community to preserve and interpret Grainger's work for future generations. 

Learn How You Can Make a Difference

Event Key

The Percy Grainger Society is pleased to offer both live and virtual events. You can easily determine if the events listed in this newsletter are live or virtual by the color of the registration button:

  green for live events  

  blue for virtual events. 


The Percy Grainger Society

7 Cromwell Place | White Plains, New York 10601


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Our mission is to promote the work and legacy of Percy Grainger with a membership community that preserves his historic house, encourages appreciation performance of his music, and promotes a deeper understanding of the cultural, social, and economic context of his life and work.


info@percygrainger.org

(914) 281-1610

www.percygrainger.org


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