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Halcyon Global Music Institute

Our mission is to provide an intimate space, via concerts and workshops, in which students and lovers of music can connect directly with master musicians and skilled practitioners from the world’s great musical traditions and burgeoning cross-cultural forms.

Upcoming Concerts and Workshops

  • Áine Minogue, Celtic Harp & Vocals
    Áine Minogue, Celtic Harp & Vocals
    Friends Discount
    Sat, Apr 27
    All Saints' Episcopal Church
    Apr 27, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
    All Saints' Episcopal Church , 7 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
    Áine Minogue is close enough to her Celtic sources to be nourished by them, but not so close they root her to the spot. -Billboard Magazine
  • Soothing our Souls with Tagore's Spiritual Songs
    Soothing our Souls with Tagore's Spiritual Songs
    Friends Discount
    Sat, Jun 29
    All Saints' Episcopal Church
    Jun 29, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
    All Saints' Episcopal Church , 7 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
    Poems and songs by Rabindranath Tagore featuring vocalist Maitreyee Chakraborty.
  • Deep Dive
    Deep Dive
    Friends Discount
    Sun, Apr 14
    Sundays, April 14, 21 & 28 on Zoom
    Apr 14, 2024, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT
    Sundays, April 14, 21 & 28 on Zoom
    Understanding & Appreciating Hindustani Classical Music

Music Lessons

Our Values
Musical transmission happens beyond books, theory and academic observation.  We at Halcyon believe in sitting with the master and in traditional teaching methods that emphasize the orality of deep musical learning.  This style of musical training asks more of the student than mere specialization and integrates into its subject matter other disciplines and human experience as a whole. Halcyon aims to provide an environment in which students can sit at the feet of masters of the great traditions and learn from them on their own terms.   We expect our students to respect the traditions, but not to treat them as fixed exotic forms.  We recognize that these traditions are contemporary living entities and we aim to cultivate an environment of discipline, play, experiment, and full-bodied engagement.

 

 

Our Goal is to offer:

Music Lessons

  • One hour sessions, offered online or in person, taught by musicians in a variety global traditions.

 

Concerts

  • Located at Halcyon affiliated venues in New England.
     

Workshops & Masterclasses 

  • Located at Halcyon affiliated venues in New England or online via Zoom.

  • 3 hour +/- sessions designed by the visiting artist(s)

  • Masterclasses may be paired with an evening concert as part of the concert series

Residential Workshops

  • Thursday through Sunday program at retreat centers in New England

  • Taught by a visiting artist or ensemble

  • Public concert to be given on Saturday night by the artist and accompanying musicians of their choosing


Halcyon House Ensemble

  • A collective ensemble of regional musicians who each bring an original composition or repertoire piece

  • Musicians will arrive on Friday evening, rehearse Saturday and Sunday morning and give a public matinee concert on Sunday

  • Ensemble will be provided with meals and lodging Friday through Sunday and will be paid an honorarium (or a proper professional rate if possible)

  • Ensemble will begin by invite only; as it becomes established we will open it to applications


Halcyon Global Music Festival

  • An annual music festival lasting a weekend​

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Founding Director

Michael Harrist

Michael is a New England based musician, educator and concert promoter.  He specializes in contrabass and yaylı tanbur and works with artists in a wide array of traditions including Turkish art and folk music, Jazz, Western Classical, Hindustani and American roots music.  Michael has concertized and taught throughout the Americas and Europe.  As a private music teacher, he tailors to the specific needs of the student while drawing upon a rich background of repertoire and practices.  Michael's desire is to aid the student on the journey to their own innate knowing.

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Managing Director

Robert Bowler or "Beau"

Beau founded Halcyon Arts in 2020 to continue doing what he loves, presenting cultural and educational programs in world music and spirituality. He managed Stone Church Arts, a concert series focused on world music inspired by cellist Eugene Friesen, from 2006 - 2020. He was also the Director of Stone Church Center, a retreat and conference center in Bellows Falls, Vermont. ​

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Co-Director

Joel Veena

Splitting his time between India and Vermont, Joel travels the world performing Indian classical music on the Indian slide guitar. He is also a promoter, helping to bring artists from South Asia, match them with venues across the U.S. and thereby expose American audiences to the rich musical traditions from that part of the world. His goal in his own words: "to facilitate the healthy and continuous artistic exchange of Indian classical musicians in the US and in India and south Asia, providing platforms, visa assistance, educational outreach and access to authentic teachers."

Become a Friend
of the Institute

  • 30$
    Every month
    Support the Halcyon Global Music Institute and receive discounts on music events.
     
    • 30% Discount on concerts
    • 30% Discount on workshops
    • Help sustain our global music programs
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