First Parish is so pleased to welcome Vivian Montgomery as our inaugural artist-in-residence! The goal of the artist-in-residence program is to highlight the artistry, teachings, and community partnerships of local artists whose work extends beyond performance and aligns with the mission and values of First Parish. Vivian’s commitment to making Eudaimonia a purposeful period band is evident in both her innovative, expansive programming as well as the intention with which she engages local social action partners, connecting period music to stories that resonate today. We are so honored to help celebrate and elevate this meaningful work and offer Eudaimonia a home in Harvard Square for their next two seasons. 

EUDAIMONIA, A Purposeful Period Bank
presents Sisters, Saints and Goddesses: Women's Music for Cecilia's Day

Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Pre-concert talk by violinist/composer Dana Maiben at 6:30 pm

At 7:30 pm on Sunday November 24, Eudaimonia invites all listeners to First Parish in Cambridge and into music from two far-apart centuries, centering around female composers past and present who, in turn, honor biblical, mythological, and historical women through music. The concert will be coupled with a celebration of Our Bodies Ourselves Today and the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC), both longstanding local organizations doing the hard work to protect women’s bodies by providing counseling, shelter, support of reproductive rights, education, and advocacy. The program’s repertoire, connecting vocal and choral pieces by 17th century composers Barbara Strozzi and Chiara Margarita Cozzolani with the instrumental and vocal music of living composer/performers Dana Maiben and Rebecca Nelson, highlights trouble andtriumph revealed by female figures who live in our collective memory: Venus, Mary, St. Cecilia, Sarra Copia Sulam, and Inez Milholland. Eudaimonia and the ensemble’s director Vivian Montgomery are Artist-in-Residence at First Parish in Cambridge, a historically activist church supporting the marginalized and fighting for justice on many fronts.  The ensemble, supported by First Parish as its Harvard Square home base, promotes an inclusive and warm atmosphere, breaking boundaries among music styles and cultures in a welcoming and accessible venue while lifting up the work of social action partner organizations. Admission is Pay-What-You-Decide, more information at eudaimonia-music.org.

Click here to view a video with Director of Music, Jen Hayman discussing the Artist in Residency Program.