A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT AND PAYING TRIBUTE
Dear Friends,
Join us for an unforgettable evening Starlight Silver Serenade: Celebrating Twenty-Five Seasons, an exclusive and intimate anniversary event. This unique celebration (only 65 tickets available!) will feature a thoughtfully designed four small plate meal offering an extraordinary culinary journey that showcases The Starlight's Executive Chef Yva Santini's creativity and flair. Expertly paired with wines from the Opimian Wine Club, the meal will elevate your dining experience with exquisite flavors that complement each dish perfectly.
The evening will be serenaded by the sounds of a special jazz trio, formed exclusively for the event. Their elegant melodies will set the perfect highlight for a night of reflection and celebration.
As we honour 25 years of Stratford Summer Music, we’ll take you on a nostalgic journey with heartfelt speeches and shared memories—looking back at where we started, celebrating where we are today, and envisioning the exciting future that lies ahead.
Whether you’ve been part of our story from the beginning or are joining us for the first time, this will be an evening filled with joy, music, and connection—a night to remember.
Event Details
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Venue: The Starlight
Late last month we lost one of the greats - Roberta Flack. Flack was known mostly as a soft-voiced singer, the sound behind Grammy winning records of the year (she was the first to win two of those back to back), and a contributor to what some people called "quiet storm radio format", named after Smokey Robinson's 1975 album A Quiet Storm.
She was born to a jazz pianist (her father) and a church organist (her mother) in North Carolina. She became fascinated with classical music, playing Scarlatti Sonatas on piano and winning awards at statewide competitions in Virginia. Eventually, while a student at Howard University, she changed her major from piano to voice, which led to becoming an assistant director of the university choir. At one point she even directed a production of Verdi's Aida!
Here is the sound so many people know and love.
At Flack's funeral service, Stevie Wonder very touchingly said, "I love you, Roberta. And I will see you."
There is a lot more to her life story than I can do justice to in this email today. If you're interested in learning more, there is a Wikipedia page devoted to her, but I find that this article from The Guardian better captures the reach of her talents, which crossed boundaries throughout her life.
Last week here in Stratford we were treated to our third annual Winter Bach 3.0 performance, featuring professionals and professionals-in-training playing in the Side-by-Side format, and with the usual great results! A standing ovation, happy faces and the depth of great music shared together at The Avondale, which inspired the following note sent to me:
Dear Mark - It must take a very long time to organize a concert such as last evening's Winter Bach, so how could you have known it was exactly the medicine we need right now? The selections, so beautifully performed, elevated our overburdened spirits. The concert lifted the cloud long enough for us to remember that if humanity can produce such sublime art, maybe there's hope for the world. Thank you for your dedication to bringing such wonderful music to Stratford.
-A Dedicated Stratford Summer Music Audience Member
You are most welcome! It is what we love to do at Stratford Summer Music, and we'll keep on doing it!! (And of course, thanks for being there to listen!)
Have a great weekend all -
Mark and the Stratford Summer Music Team
Supporter Highlight
Stratford Orthodontics
MusicBarge Weekend Sponsor
Stratford Orthodontics is home to the only board-certified Orthodontist in Stratford and Area. We have been enhancing the smiles of adults and children for 21 years with traditional braces and clear aligner therapy. We are honoured to support Stratford Summer Music, as we know both music and a great smile help improve self-confidence and your overall health.
Thank you Stratford Orthodontics for supporting Stratford Summer Music!