A new music venue is in Groton. The design, acoustics, and architecture are world class, with multiple concert halls and studios. One opens like an airplane hanger so people can enjoy the concert outside. This will rival anything outside of Boston. It has been years under construction, because Groton is an upscale mostly rural community with strict guidelines to preserve the agricultural landscape. That was a challenge. Roads have been repaved, and sidewalks added for people to walk from the town center.
The tour was informative and eye-popping.
Foyer
One of the concert halls. Video below.
Upstairs. You get the feel for how big it is.
The enormous main concert hall will open in January.
They are non-profit, committed to the town, and will be philanthropic as they support children, seniors, and schools. They maintain an excellent music school, too. Concert music will include every genre, from classical to bluegrass and everything in between.
When our children were young, the music center was small, talented, and well respected. They now have grown to rival the best of the best. I’m excited!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wow!!! That is SUPER EXCITING and BEAUTIFUL!!! It looks a bit like the music hall my highschool built a decade ago. Lots of light… and a grand piano!!! You have done SO MUCH to nurture and cultivate a love of music-making with your students over the past many decades! I will visit their website and see about attending a concert there. With no traffic it appears to be a 42 minute drive from my home. ps: Jennie, I’d love to send you a copy of the new eight-song CD I’ve done with my friends Molly and Carole. If you feel comfortable sharing your street address with me, I will put one in the mail to you. My email address is will@willsings.com.
Well said, Will!
Hi, Will! It is something else!! Most of the studios have a grand piano. Imagine that.
If you get tickets to a concert, let me know. I’d love to hook up with you there. Yes, music makes the world go ’round, and the heart sing.❤️ I would love to have your new CD. Thank you!!! Jennie Fitzkee, P.O. Box 739, Groton MA 01450
What an amazing venue to have right on your doorstep, Jennie!
It really is, Ritu!
🥰
That’s a wonderful space, also beautifully designed and constructed. I am sure you will enjoy some great music in there, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
It is, Pete. I’m looking forward to a concert. Best to you.
Wow, it looks amazing. We have some strange music venues here in Phoenix. First of all, we have a FANTABULOUS music museum–just so so cool–but their little concert area has the absolutely worst seats ever. I can’t even go there. No way for me to sit. I have to turn sideways, stiffly, and look over my shoulder. Then our Gammage at the university was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Should be cool, right? Worst acoustics. And not enough bathrooms (although I heard they were fixing that issue). The university music department has a smaller venue, and I haven’t been there but would like to. And of course we have several others theatres and concert halls, mostly lovely.
I’ve always gotten the sense that Frank Lloyd designed for his own aesthetics, not so much for people. I attended an event at a building of his on a college campus. The bathrooms were tiny and shockingly inaccessible for anyone with any kind of mobility issues. You had to walk through this narrow, low-ceilinged, winding tunnel on a downhill grade to get to them.
That sounds about like Wright haha! Yeah, very creative and innovative, but very flawed, too.
Heh, heh . . .
What a shame about the museum’s concert area. And how wonderful that it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright… but what a bummer that the acoustics are terrible. When he was designing houses I guess he wasn’t thinking about acoustics. Sigh! Best to you, Luanne.
It’s really a shame because Gammage is where the national tours generally perform in Phoenix, so lots of musicals. And, yes, the seats at the museum–who thought a seat could be so bad?!
Sigh!
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Thank you, Michael!
Great, and all sustainable, built with wood. Wood also has the best resonance, i think. Jennie, now you are forced not only to read aloud. You have to add instruments to your classroom too. 😉 xx Michael
Wood and stone, mostly wood. Yes, I must add instruments. I play the autoharp, of course, but I need more.
What a great facility, Jennie. We love watching the Proms (UK) on TV and can imagine the intense pleasure it will give so many people, of all ages, in the future!
Thank you, Joy. I was awestruck. I think of all the people who will get to hear music – live. That’s a big deal, and this center has it all.
How wonderful to have this state-of-the-art facility near you. What a boost for the community!
It really is, Darlene. As you can imagine, there are residents who are not pleased, fearing the influx of people into town. I think the music center knew that, and it was addressed upfront on the tour. It will be a huge boost for the community.
What an asset to your community this concert hall will be!
Yes, it will! There are those in town who fear this will be like Lenox when Tanglewood opened. I must say, they have addressed all of these concerns in a kind and proactive way. It really is magnificent, and the music line-up is terrific. Liz, if there is a concert you want to attend, let me know and we can hook up. Maybe this summer?
Any chance Arlo Guthrie might play there? I would love to see him perform again.
Oooo, I would love to hear him, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he performed. Their website has all the performances listed, so keep checking. I will, too! He needs to sign our This Land is Your Land quilt.
Yes, he does!!!
Looks fabulous! Am sure it will be a great success!
Thank you, FR. I think so, too!
Very Cool
Yes, and thank you.
Beautiful hall, Jennie. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John. This is quite the place!
All that tongue and groove, all that uplifting space, all that light, all that inspiration! This will sound weird, but the first thought that came to me was: my fingers are salivating at the thought of performing there! HA! So in my case it’s inspirational first and foremost to see (and read) this place is for the advancement of the arts and enabling of youth, seniors and other community members to become immersed in the aural beauty of sound! Are ticket prices reasonable?
Love it!
Laura, that is not weird at all. On the tour, one of the first things they told us was that the building was designed for the artist, and also the guests. If it wasn’t as you described, artists wouldn’t be enthusiastic to perform. Brilliant! I wanted to touch everything. The full light against blonde wood everywhere was beautiful. Actually, your impression and vision is spot on. You have many talents, Laura! I haven’t looked at ticket prices, but I’m guessing they are reasonable. Google Groton Hill Music Center, and everything is there. If you come here for a concert, you must let me know so we can hook up. The one I’m hoping to go to with friends in February is the Handel and Haden Society. They use period instruments!
I would love to give Groton a listen! HA! If I ever do come up, you can bet I’ll let ya know so we can hook up for a bit. Period instruments are fascinating to listen to in and of themselves but also listen to the music presented itself. It will no doubt be performed according to the performance practices of the times (ie, dynamics of baroque music are tiered/terraced which is different than what we commonly do in these days of performing any of ‘classical type’ -not era- music). And listen for the dominance of the Basso Continuo – in the Baroque pieces. Then contrast their performances with the Classical era ones in the program…..Anyway. ENJOY it!
Thanks so much, Laura. Your knowledge and suggestions are truly appreciated! I know I will enjoy the music!
This looks like a fantastic place and space, Jennie. Very attractive and creative look and design.
Thank you, Bruce. It really is.
It looks wonderful! It is so nice to see architecture being designed sympathetically with the surroundings. It is a symbiotic relationship, or should be.
It is just as you said, Pam. It must have been a challenge to consider the surroundings, and create a great venue for artists to perform. They did it!
That’s an amazing center, Jennie.
It really is, Dan. People talk and worry that this will be like Lenox when Tanglewood came in. The tour talked about these concerns, and they’re very proactive. I’m so glad I got a ticket to see the gorgeous venue and have a full tour. Big wow!
Groton is a wonderful town. I like the vibe and all of the community support. It’s no wonder you’re happy living there.
It really is just as you say. I like the old and the new. There is much community support. I was surprised I only knew a few people on the tour. I need to get out more. 🙂
It does the heart and soul good to see these beautiful structures being built! Let the music play! 🎶 it already makes me wonder what students and families, hundreds of years from now, will appreciate and use. Long live the Arts! The one thing that keeps us connected in humanity, in my belief. 🎶💕
Beautifully said, K.L. Amen!
Thank you, Jennie 💛🎶
You’re welcome.
Thank you, Jennie 💛
I can see why you are excited, Jennie. It looks like a real winnwe.
Thank you, Don. I think it is!
Wow, that place looks lovely, Jennie! We just spent an evening listening to music in a new arts center near-ish to us. It’s wonderful and inspiring to know that communities still value music and the arts and are willing to invest in them. Thanks for the good news!
Yes, thank goodness the arts continue to be valued and accessible, especially with new venues being built. It really is inspiring!
Jennie, this is wonderful!
Thank you, Charles. It really is!
It looks beautiful. I love all the natural wood.
It is gorgeous, and the wood is blonde. That makes it feel warm and exciting.
Looks amazing Jennie. Enjoy! xx
Wow, Jennie, this music centre is amazing. How marvelous for your town.
It really is, Robbie. We are lucky!
Spectacular! Somehow I feel like the pictures just don’t do it justice!
You’re right, they don’t do it justice. 🙂
That’s wonderful, Jennie. And when the big crowds come, you can sell parking spots on your lawn. A win-win. The place looks fantastic.
It really is! When the big crowds come in for the major concerts, many residents will not be happy.
The new groton hill music center looks amazing. I like the fact that it’ll be close to functioning as a community hall for community inspired events. It definitely looks like a fun place to be.
It is, and you are right on all counts. Thank you.
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This is worthy of being seen in movies. The wood reminds me of those nice bamboo materials
Thank you. It is a remarkable place.
Thank you. It is a remarkable place.
Yes!
As a musician whose primary degree is actually in design, this is absolutely amazing!
It is! I wish photos could capture everything. Thank you.