The Great Hall Performance Foundation, Inc. – a 501(c)3 continues the initial goals of The Citizens for the Preservation of Town Hall, Inc. We are all about historical preservation, building community, the economic development of Needham and elevating the stature and awareness of the Needham High School Music program. Students will be involved with all facets of concert series planning, productio
n and performance. These include a concert from the Broadway, jazz, classical and folk genres. From folk legend Tom Rush to international jazz artist Tiger Okoshi, we are seeking exceptional performers to bring world-class shows to Needham. We are already planning an expanded series in 2013 which could include performers like Little Feat, Judy Collins, Peter Yarrow and many more. We would like to expand into lectures and small stage performance. Enjoy dinner and a show! We encourage our patrons to also enjoy a night out at one of Needham’s fine restaurants. This not only makes for a wonderful evening but helps fuel our local economy. After Sixty Years the Needham Great Hall will again open for performance. Please join us at this inaugural event with a champagne celebration and a night of special surprises! You don’t want to miss this!! Broadway, Curtain Up! -March 24, 2012
"Broadway, Curtain Up!" will feature selections from great Broadway productions, including Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, Les Miserables and songs by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, Lerner/Loewe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Performers include Devin Dukes, Vanessa Schukis, Brian De Lorenzo and John Whittlesey with Scott Nicholas on piano. Don’t miss this evening of lively entertainment that will please all ages! In partnership with Longwood Opera. Tiger Okoshi Super Quintet -May 12, 2012
International Jazz great Tiger Okoshi has played with legends from around the globe, including Tony Bennett, Dave Grusin, Pat Metheny and Branford Marsalis. He will perform original compositions and Louis Armstrong standards, as well as a special composition that he arranged to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Sakura (cherry trees) in Washington and Boston. Opening for Tiger will be the Needham Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Orion Trio -September 22, 2012
Featuring Peter Zazofsky, violin, Ronald Lowry, cello and Randall Hodgkinson, piano. Orion’s program will feature Beethoven’s energetic and intense Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, and the ever popular and lyrically spirited 'Trout Quintet' by Franz Schubert. Musicians from Needham High School will join the Needham Concert Society in a selection from Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky's String Serenade. In partnership with the Needham Concert Society. Tom Rush-November 3, 2012
A living legend who helped usher in the singer-songwriter era and has had a profound impact on American music, Tom Rush was instrumental in shaping the folk revival of the ’60s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor, warm, expressive voice and engaging storytelling have universal appeal and have made his songs hits with folk, country, heavy metal and rap audiences. In partnership with The Homegrown Coffeehouse.
