Scrag Mountain Music Hosts Lullaby Project Concert Series

Evan Premo and Mary Bonhag of Scrag Mountain Music

Local organization, Scrag Mountain Music, introduces Carnegie Hall’s “Lullaby Project” to various Vermont communities. In line with Scrag’s goals, this project forges a connection for Vermont mothers and their children. The project’s songs will be exhibited in a series of concerts on November 5th, 8th, 9th, and 10th.

Scrag Mountain Music of Marshfield, Vermont seeks to cultivate a connection between Vermonters and classical music. The co-artistic directors and couple, Evan Premo and Mary Bonhag, who operate and orchestrate the group, are both accomplished musicians. Evan plays double bass while Mary Bonhag sings soprano. The couple has previously captivated the audiences of Carnegie Hall, various chamber-music festivals, and NPR’s Performance Today show. The duo now dedicates their time to fostering a relationship between Vermont communities and classical music, introducing innovative and engaging music at affordable costs. The group’s previous projects include performances like musical storytelling for kids,  and concerts celebrating the natural sounds of the Earth. 

Among the projects of their 2019-2020 season, Scrag is introducing Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project to the Burlington community. Scrag will partner with Writers for Recovery and Lund Institute’s residential program to enhance and nourish the bond between mother and child with the power of music. Mothers in the Burlington-based residential program are provided with treatment for substance abuse and mental health challenges while offering a place to live with their children. 

This fall, the musicians at Scrag will join Writers for Recovery to create completely new lullabies for expecting mothers from the residential program. The newly created lullabies, as well as other childhood-inspired songs, will be performed in a series of concerts open for the public. This event’s musicians feature Mary Bonhag as a soprano, Evan Premo playing the double bass, Jason Amos (below, right) on the viola, and Jacqueline Kerrod (below, left) playing the harp.

As stated in their motto “Come as you are. Pay what you can”, Scrag’s iteration of the Lullaby project will be free of charge, though donations are appreciated! Be sure to RSVP on their website. Come see Scrag’s Lullaby concerts on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm at the Contois Auditorium in Burlington City Hall, Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 pm at the 130 Main St. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, or Sunday, November 10 at 4 pm at 339 Main St. United Church in Warren. 

Text by Jay Strek.

Photos courtesy of Scrag Mountain Music.