Social Band, Burlington’s lively band of singers, is singing about roots this spring. Roots are a source of vitality and strength. Roots are the places from which we come – the places that know us by name. Join Social Band as we dig down into those muddy, springtime roots with poetry and song.

“Mother Root” : Songs of Source and Sustenance

• Saturday, April 6, 2019 – 7:30pm ~ Richmond Free Library
• Sunday, April 7, 2019 – 3:00pm ~ College Street Congregational Church, Burlington
• Saturday, April 13, 2019 – 7:30pm ~ United Church of Hinesburg
• Sunday, April 14, 2019 – 3:00pm ~ Charlotte Congregational Church

Social Band will think of roots in all sorts of ways using many genres of music. What better way to think about roots than to go back in time? Social Band’s menfolk go all the way back to the 12^th century to sing mystic Hildegard von Bingen’s, “O Sapientiae” in praise of wisdom’s life-giving channels. Other early music selections include the rich and flowing “O Radix Jesse” by 16^th century composer Jean Barra. And then from ancient to modern as Social Band features two premieres by Social Band members. Bruce Chalmer’s song “My Mother’s Dream” is accompanied by recorder, clarinet and cello and sets a poem he wrote about how our roots live with us even after leaving our homeland. Michael Kellogg’s song “Remembrance” adapts biblical verses from Ecclesiastes and touches on how the passage of time brings an anonymous, ever-changing permanence: “There is nothing new under the sun…. All streams run to the sea but the sea is not full, to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.” Other selections include songs from folk traditions as well as works by Vermont composers Tom Cleary, Don Jamison and Robert Keller.

Admission is $15 in advance, $18 the day of concert. Tickets are available online (no fees) at https://socialband-spring19.eventbrite.com and at the door.