HISTORY
Taconic Music owes a great deal to its musical ancestry, from pianist Eugene List and violinist Carroll Glenn (the progenitors of ongoing classical music in Manchester) to cellist Michael and pianist/teacher Judith Rudiakov, who (from 1983–2000) set in motion so much of the structure from which we were able to learn, develop and grow.
Violinist Joana Genova and violist/conductor Ariel Rudiakov met in Manchester in 1998 and picked up the baton from the previous Rudiakov generation in 2000, continuing a successful summer festival, organizing year-round concerts, running a music academy for area children, and performing numerous outreach concerts in the area for young and old.
With the addition of Jane Duda as Communications Director completing our small but able team, and a committed board of directors, Joana and Ariel established Taconic Music in October 2016 with its mission of providing high-quality classical music performance and instruction throughout the year while making it affordable and accessible.
2016–17 Fall–Spring
Taconic Music launches with a mission to provide Southern Vermont communities with year-round concerts, lessons, demonstrations, and educational programs, built upon the rich traditions of classical music. Sold-out Thanksgiving and New Year’s concerts affirm our vision for music in all seasons.
2017 Summer
Our Inaugural Summer Festival opens to audience and critical acclaim, as we welcome new and longtime colleagues and a select group of talented music majors to our summer ‘home’, Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy.
2017–18 Fall–Spring
We start Strings for Kids to fill a local gap in music instruction, offering violin, viola, and cello lessons for children ages 5–18. In addition to our popular holiday concerts, we host a series of monthly chamber concerts from fall through mid-spring.
2018 Summer
Our second Summer Festival brings the Shanghai, Enso, and Indianapolis Quartets and the Horszowski Trio to the Riley Center stage. Ariel and Joana revive a cherished musical collaboration with Dionondehowa Wildlife Sanctuary and School.
2018–19 Fall–Spring
The new Taconic Junior Ensemble provides an introduction to ensemble playing and public performance for advancing string students. Music in Action brings Taconic educational programs and concerts to area schools, libraries, senior and veterans’ residences, all free to the public.
2019 Summer
Our third annual Summer Festival continues to introduce local audiences to acclaimed musicians from around the world, as we develop name recognition for Taconic Music and garner critical accolades.
2019–20 Fall–Spring
Our typical year of concerts and outreach comes to a screeching halt in March, as the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down live performances across the globe. We quickly pivot and, planning for all contingencies, make the decision to hold a delayed, abbreviated, summer concert series. Sadly, we must ask our CMI students to stay home for the summer.
2020 Summer
In our fourth summer season, we make headlines, inadvertently becoming the statewide model for safely hosting indoor concerts during the pandemic. We add live-streaming to all our summer concerts and broaden social media outreach, expanding our audience far beyond the concert hall.
2020–21 Fall–Spring
With masked, outdoor concerts wherever possible, we continue to bring live music to young and old at venues across the region, including a Led Zeppelin tribute concert. Our fully livestreamed Thanksgiving and New Year’s concerts enjoy record viewership; we add more video and livestream events to our year-round offerings.
2021 Summer
Our fifth Summer Festival brings faculty and students back to Manchester, where health precautions are now a part of daily life. In lieu of ticket fees, grateful concertgoers make donations, don masks, and thank us for keeping the music going. We continue to livestream our faculty and NextGen concerts for remote audiences.
2021–22 Fall–Spring
We continue to provide year-round music to the community, prepare for our sixth Summer Festival, and begin endowment planning. We remain flexible, optimistic, and grateful to the individuals, businesses, and agencies whose continued support allows us to continue fulfilling our mission to make music accessible to all.