Published June 10, 2021
NORTH READING — The Ipswich River Community Chorus (IRCC) is delighted to present an afternoon of free live music dedicated to renowned local music educator, performer and vocal coach Nancy Ferretti.
The concert will be held on Saturday, June 19 at 4 p.m. at the gazebo at Ipswich River Park, 15 Central St., with a rain date of June 20.
Ferretti has been a beloved North Reading resident for many decades and served the community’s singers in a number of capacities. These include music educator in the Burlington Public School system, the first director of the North Reading Community Chorale, and vocal instructor for NRHS Masquers musical productions. She has also volunteered on countless town committees and in area theaters.
Ferretti sang for a number of years with the Newburyport Choral Society. Over the years Nancy has touched many lives as the choir director for the North Reading Union Congregational Church, and served as entertainment director for the local Apple Festival which has become a treasured fall tradition in town.
The IRCC has been busy during the pandemic. Under the artistic direction of Johnny Nichols Jr., the chorus has been practicing together each week over Zoom, and has created several virtual performances that can be seen on its Facebook page.
Now that pandemic restrictions are loosening the chorus members are happy to be singing together in person and are especially pleased to perform again with their highly accomplished pianist, Miles Goldberg, who has been accompanying the chorus since 2002.
Program highlights
The celebration of the return of live music to be shared with the community at this concert will include presentations of some of Ferretti’s favorite music. The program will include Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing;” a medley from Les Miserables “Ride the Chariot;” George Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch over Me;” and a tribute to the rock opera group Queen, among others.
Also performing and paying tribute to Ferretti will be singer/songwriter Preston Lydotes, a soon-to-be NRHS alumnus, who will play a medley of pop standards and original pieces. Bring a chair and come help us celebrate Nancy! This project is sponsored in part through a grant provided by the North Reading Cultural Council, which is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
