Friends,

This is Fox Islands Concerts’ 65th year! That is a huge accomplishment. I am honored to play a role in building a future of soul-nourishing music, and I am grateful for all the people who got us here: our friends over the decades at Bay Chamber Concerts, the many world-class artists who have filled our stages, the community of musicians and music-lovers around the islands and around the world brought together by Rona and Leonard Hokanson, and the many board members who have done so much hard work behind the scenes.

This year I am feeling more than ever the call to carry a strong, healthy music presence into and through the 21st century. We welcome all voices into our concert experience, especially those who have been underrepresented in the classical music world. And we strive to break down barriers – barriers to concert attendance, as well as perceived barriers between performers and listeners.

And I want to acknowledge our rich musical history here on the islands, to honor tradition, as well as those who laid the path for us.

I believe we can look both to the future and to the past through our music and programming. Please join us this summer as we welcome some of the world’s finest musicians back to Vinalhaven and North Haven – including the renowned Brentano String Quartet, who will play at Vinalhaven’s Smith Hokanson Hall at 7:30 pm on August 9!

See you this summer,

Annie