Local musicians ‘Together Again’ as festival begins

Local musicians Claude Cymerman (piano) and Eric Edberg (cello), poet Joe Heithaus, vocalists Bobbie Lancaster and Tad Robinson, drummer Ben Hogan, pianist Cathie Malach, and jazz organist Steve Snyder are finally “Together Again” in the Greencastle Summer Music Festival’s opening concert, Wednesday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Gobin Church.

There’s no admission charge for the 60-70 minute event, which will follow the same health guidelines used at Gobin’s in-person services. Audience members will wear face masks and practice social distancing by sitting with family or “covid pods” (friends you know to be vaccinated or have recently tested negative), keeping six feet distant from other groups. Face masks and hand sanitizer will be available free of charge.

“Since not everyone is yet vaccinated, and not wanting to stigmatize anyone, Gobin and many other churches are asking everyone to continue to wear masks for the time,” explained Eric Edberg, the festival’s founding artistic director.

“We are thrilled to be working making music ‘together again’ with a live audience, even with masks.”

The program will be video recorded and made available online and on Channel 3 (local cable access TV) for those not comfortable wearing masks, attending indoor events or who are unable to make it in person.

About this week’s performers:

Pianist Claude Cymerman and cellist Edberg are both emeritus professors at the DePauw School of Music, and have been performing together since 1988. They were the first performers on the 2005 opening concert of what is now known as the Greencastle Summer Music Festival.

Joe Heithaus, a DePauw faculty member, has published two books of poetry, “Library of My Hands” (2020) and “Poison Sonnets” (2012). His poetry and essays have appeared in numerous journals including The New York Times, Poetry and The Atlanta Review. His poem “Indiana Flight” is etched in a stained glass mural in the Indianapolis International Airport and with the other, so called, “airpoets,” he’s published “Rivers, Rails and Runways (2008) and “Airmail” (2011). His poem “What Grows Here” is painted on a barn just outside of Greencastle.

Ben Hogan is a versatile drummer and percussionist based in Central Indiana.

Bobbie Lancaster enjoyed a music career in both folk and children’s music before moving to Greencastle with her husband Jeff, to raise their two kids -- Edie and Sam. Over the years she’s written and recorded with several different bands, and as a solo artist. In 2019 and 2020, she hit the road with her family, living in a camper and exploring North America. She returned to Greencastle with a renewed love for her community and a catalogue of new songs.

A composer, improviser and keyboardist, Cathie Malach thrives in diverse musical genres. Her music has been called “emotionally dynamic and revelatory... [with] evocative, soulful melodies; and sensitive keyboard work that is at turns lush, sparse, percussive and exuberant.” Cathie’s music has been featured on albums for meditation and healing, and she has collaborated with Grammy-winning artists pianist Peter Kater, multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless and cellist David Darling, as well as bassist Tony Levin and vocalist Chris White.

Steve Snyder is a pianist and organist who maintains an active playing schedule locally, nationally and internationally. He has performed in France, Portugal, Brazil, Sweden, Taiwan, throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Austin Chronicle has called Snyder’s work “superb.” Seemagazine.com has said, “Incredible solos ... particularly from the not-so-surprisingly sensational Steven Snyder.”

Severn Records recording artist Tad Robinson is one of the leading voices of modern soul-blues music. From his NYC roots and his Indiana and Chicago musical upbringing, Tad has caught the attention of the scene with his 10 Blues Music Award nominations (the Grammys of blues music) and his many recordings. He’s a veteran of countless national and international tours and has performed at many of the most important blues festivals in more than 20 countries.

The 12-concert multi-genre festival will present a concert performed by professional musicians every Wednesday through Aug. 18. Dedicated to “community through shared arts experiences” with “friends making music for friends,” the GSMF, founded in 2005, is sponsored by individual donors, grants from the Putnam County Community Foundation and the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, an endowment at the PCCF, businesses including the Inn at DePauw and the Sunny Side Concert Series.

The festival continues next week on June 9 with clarinetist Randy Salman joining Cymerman and Edberg for “From Vienna to Buenos Aires,” featuring music of Beethoven as well as tango arrangements. Visit greencastlemusic.org for the full summer schedule or to make a donation.