Acoustic Weston Concert Supports the Arts

Acoustic Weston will put on a concert at the newly renovated Emmanuel Church Hall on Lyons Plains Road at 7:30 Saturday night to benefit WestonArts, a non-profit whose mission is raising funds to develop and promote the arts in Weston.

Once again, singer/songwriter Sue Broudy is producing the second show of the year — the first was performed in the spring.

"The warm reception and fantastic feedback from our first three shows proves there's a place for Acoustic Weston in our town," said Broudy, who founded the organization in 2010. "Not all students want to be involved in sports, or theater or orchestra. Plenty of students are taking music lessons outside of the school or they are simply exploring different kinds of music on their own."

Tickets will be available at the door and cost $15 a piece and $10 for seniors and students. All proceeds will be donated to WestonArts.

Talented Musicians

The Acoustic Weston program is open to Weston High School students in grades 9-12 and Weston adults as well. There is no charge to participate. However, students are asked to audition to maintain a level of quality performance, according to Broudy.

Professional musicians, who are serious about their music and want to share ideas, serve as coaches, providing free sessions for performers who include guitarists, bass players, percussionists, pianists, singers, songwriters, fiddlers, ukulele, mandolin or banjo players. Both original and cover songs are encouraged.

Among the coaches are well-known jazz musician and gospel choir director Chris Coogan, Larry Edoff (a producer, band leader, singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist) and singer/songwriter Suzanne Sheridan who earned an honorable mention for a gospel song she co-wrote with Lee Kweller called "The Power's in You" in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

"Living in Weston for the last 25 years, I've discovered there are so many talented musicians and performers in this town, they should have an opportunity to share their talents," Broudy said.

The idea of Acoustic Weston is inspired by a longstanding acoustic tradition of musicians gathering together to make music purely for the love of making music, according to Broudy.

Special Guests

Some invited guests Saturday include students from Wilton who participate in Acoustic Wilton, a similar program founded by Wilton resident Scott Weber in 2005.

"He inspired me to start something in Weston," said Broudy.

Special guest singer/songwriters will be Nancy Burger of Redding and Rob Stagno of New Fairfield.

For more information on the concert, Acoustic Weston of WestonArts, call Sue Broudy at 203-856-9891 or email her at broudy@optonline.net.