Bach's Toccata and more! with Organ, Strings and Flute

2023-2024 Family Matinees Series

Chamber music concerts for the whole family 

Chamber music is a wonderful way for people of all ages to experience the delights, joys and range of emotions that classical music can evoke.

As part of the PSO’s ongoing mission to encourage the audiences and musicians of today and tomorrow, we are pleased to announce “Family Matinees,” a series of four chamber music concerts in 2023-2024 expressly geared towards families and youth.

Each performance, which features members of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will also include a special guest performance by youth string musicians from the area.

On January 27, the PSO String Quartet joins principal flutist Aubrie Dionne and organist and music director of St. John’s Episcopal Jennifer McPherson in a riveting concert of Bach and Corette.  

This concert features:

• Jennifer McPherson, organ
• Aubrie Dionne, flute
• Aniko Geladze, violin
• Ashley Offret, violin
• Theresa Cleary, viola
• Gary Hodges, cello

The concert will begin with Jennifer McPherson, St. John’s Episcopal’s organist and music director, playing Bach’s Toccata. The lively melodies and rhythmic patterns will undoubtedly captivate the audience, setting the stage for an unforgettable musical experience. Following Bach’s Toccata will be Corette’s Concerto in D minor for flute, strings, and organ. This piece features the flute as the star of the show, with its lyrical and graceful melodies. The strings and organ provide a rich and harmonious accompaniment, creating a tapestry of sounds that will resonate with listeners of all ages. The concerto’s melodies will sweep you away, evoking emotions of joy and wonder.

View Concert Program Here. 

Advika Govindaraju is a sophomore at Bedford High School who has been playing the flute for 5 years. She is the principal flute of the Dino Anagnost Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Manchester Community Music School, and has made NH All State as a 9th and 10th grader, earning the top score this year. Last month, she performed as a solo flutist with the SNHU Chamber Choir. In 2022, Govindaraju won 2nd place in the Sempre Musick Performance Competition. She studies flute with PSO Principal Flutist AubrieDionne at the Manchester Community Music School. Govindaraju also plays the piano, and enjoys embroidering, playing in her school band, and spending time with friends and family.

After the concert, Jennifer McPherson will give an interactive and up-close demonstration of the pipe organ at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Learn about what makes up an organ and how it creates the warm, rich sounds that are so unique to the instrument.