Mitzie Collins and "Striking Strings", the Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble of the Eastman Community School, will be performing at the Byron Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 4, at  2:00 PM.  The concert is free to the public, but there will be a free-will offering to support the Ensemble.  Refreshments will be served after the concert. 

Mitzie Collins is a world-renowned recording artist, performer and teacher.  She is currently on the faculty of the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester.  The Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble is composed of Mitzie's students.  Mary Ann Blair, one of the Ensemble members, is a member of the church, and made the arrangements for the concert. 

The church is just west of the intersection of Route 237 and Rt. 262 in the center of Byron.  For more information, please call 548-2800 or visit www.byronfpc.org.

Here is more detailed information about "Striking Strings", from one of their press releases: 

Striking Strings, the Eastman Community Music School Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble, was created in January of 2008 under the direction of Mitzie Collins.  Composed of students from the group classes that Collins has taught through the Eastman Community Music School and professional and amateur players from the community, the ensemble is has quickly won fans through its many performances in the Rochester area.   Hammered dulcimer ensembles, encompassing rhythmic and tuneful combinations not possible on a single instrument, are rare in the United States, but common in other parts of the world.   This group is modeled after hackbrett ensembles in Germany and yangqin ensembles in China.  Under Collins’ direction, the group is exploring a wide repertory that includes traditional dance tunes and classical compositions.  The Ensemble has performed at the Gardenscape at the Dome Arena, the Caledonia Presbyterian Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School, two private weddings, the Heart of the Alleghenies Festival in Bradford Pennsylvania,  The Harley School, The Genesee Country Village Fiddlers Festival and The Golden LInk Folksinging Society .  The Ensemble plans a number of appearances in the community during the 2009 holiday season. 

The director of the ensemble,  Mitzie Collins,  is widely acknowledged to be a leader in the revival of the hammered dulcimer.  A historian of the instrument, as well as a teacher and performe r,  she has made more than 30 recordings.   Some of her most popular discs are "Sacketts Harbor:  Historical Dance Music of Western New York State",   "St Patrick's Day in the Morning:  Music of Irish Inspiration";  and "Nowell  Music for the Christmas Season".    Collins teaches world music and hammered dulcimer through the Eastman Community Music School.  She received her bachelor of music with a piano performance major and her masters in music education from the Eastman School of Music. 

The group currently has ten members, but it is growing as more players audition to join the infectious enthusiasm of the group.  

Mitzie Collins and "Striking Strings", the Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble of the Eastman Community School, will be performing at the Byron Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 4, at  2:00 PM.  The concert is free to the public, but there will be a free-will offering to support the Ensemble.  Refreshments will be served after the concert. 

Mitzie Collins is a world-renowned recording artist, performer and teacher.  She is currently on the faculty of the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester.  The Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble is composed of Mitzie's students.  Mary Ann Blair, one of the Ensemble members, is a member of the church, and made the arrangements for the concert. 

The church is just west of the intersection of Route 237 and Rt. 262 in the center of Byron.  For more information, please call 548-2800 or visit www.byronfpc.org.

Here is more detailed information about "Striking Strings", from one of their press releases: 

Striking Strings, the Eastman Community Music School Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble, was created in January of 2008 under the direction of Mitzie Collins.  Composed of students from the group classes that Collins has taught through the Eastman Community Music School and professional and amateur players from the community, the ensemble is has quickly won fans through its many performances in the Rochester area.   Hammered dulcimer ensembles, encompassing rhythmic and tuneful combinations not possible on a single instrument, are rare in the United States, but common in other parts of the world.   This group is modeled after hackbrett ensembles in Germany and yangqin ensembles in China.  Under Collins’ direction, the group is exploring a wide repertory that includes traditional dance tunes and classical compositions.  The Ensemble has performed at the Gardenscape at the Dome Arena, the Caledonia Presbyterian Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School, two private weddings, the Heart of the Alleghenies Festival in Bradford Pennsylvania,  The Harley School, The Genesee Country Village Fiddlers Festival and The Golden LInk Folksinging Society .  The Ensemble plans a number of appearances in the community during the 2009 holiday season. 

The director of the ensemble,  Mitzie Collins,  is widely acknowledged to be a leader in the revival of the hammered dulcimer.  A historian of the instrument, as well as a teacher and performe r,  she has made more than 30 recordings.   Some of her most popular discs are "Sacketts Harbor:  Historical Dance Music of Western New York State",   "St Patrick's Day in the Morning:  Music of Irish Inspiration";  and "Nowell  Music for the Christmas Season".    Collins teaches world music and hammered dulcimer through the Eastman Community Music School.  She received her bachelor of music with a piano performance major and her masters in music education from the Eastman School of Music. 

The group currently has ten members, but it is growing as more players audition to join the infectious enthusiasm of the group.  

The Byron Heritage Festival is happening on Saturday, July 25th, with an incredible array of events for the public to enjoy from morning until midnight.  The Festival takes place in the park that is located behind the Byron Fire Hall on Rt. 262 near the center of town.  So please mark July 25th on your calendars, and come to Byron's Fireman's Park for a day full of fun, and dance the night away with live entertainment and beautiful fireworks. 

8:00 - 10:00 AM - Kiwanis Fishing Derby (sign-in begins at 7:30 AM)

9:00 AM - 5K Kid's Race and 10:00 AM 5K Adult Race (sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #13, registration begins at 8:30 AM)

9:00 AM -5:00 PM - Craft and Food Vendors

9:00AM - Garage Sales throughout the town

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Cruise In

12 Noon - Chicken BBQ (sponsored by the Byron Fire Dept, til sold out)

11:00 AM - Geoffrey Clough

12:00 PM - Renaissance Man

1:00 PM - Magician James Swatt

2:00 PM - Belly Dancers

2:00 PM - Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Sue Fuller)

2:30 PM - Sack Race/Balloon Toss/3 Legged Race

3:00 PM - Ghostriders

4:00 PM - Hot Dog Eating Contest

5:00 PM - Pig Roast (sponsored by the Byron Presbyterian Church, til sold out, tickets $8, take-outs only, served at the Town Park),

5:30 PM - Beautiful Gardens of Byron winners announced

6:00 PM - Savage Cabbage (sponsored by the Byron Hotel)

9:00 PM - Midnight -Bandera

9:30 PM Fireworks

Portions of the day are made possible with funds from the Decentralization program, a regrant program of the New York State Council of the Arts, administered by the Genesee-Orleans Arts Council through the Byron Bergen Public Library.  For more information about the Byron Heritage Festival, please call Debra at 548-7123x10, or look at the town web site:  http://www.byronny.com/. 

Memorial Day in Byron, Monday May 25th.

9:00 AM - Plant Sale at the Byron Presbyterian Church on Rt. 262. 

All Day - Food concession

All Day - Vendor tables with crafts and rummage

11:00 AM - Town Parade (begins on Terry Street and proceeds east on Rt. 262, concluding with a ceremony at the Byron Cemetery).

Noon - Free games for children in the park next to the Presbyterian Church on Rt. 262, also featuring "Mr. Squiggles" (Mr. Squiggles is sponsored by the Byron-Bergen Library through a grant from the NYS Council on the Arts Decentralization Program).

1:00 PM - Big Auction on the lawn of the Presbyterian Church, Rt. 262.  Antiques and furniture are included. 

3:00 PM - Duck Race, sponsored by the Byron Town park Committtee - purchase your chances throughout the day at the park next to the church.  Watch the thrilling finish on the Trestle park Bridge, a short walk from the Presbyterian Church.

For more information, please call the Presbyterian Church, 548-2800.  For vendor table space, please call Laura at 548-2245.