Beyond the Notes Main Stage


Saturday, March 15th, 2025

Sarah Whitney, violin with guest artist, Jessica Meyer, violist & composer

  • Prepare for an evening of inventive music where creativity and technology meet. Violinist Sarah Whitney and award-winning violist-composer Jessica Meyer join forces, both performing with loop pedals to push the boundaries of traditional string playing. With Meyer’s playing described as "fierce and lyrical" and her works hailed as “evocative” (New York Times), the duo presents a captivating program of solos and duos, featuring music by Martinu, Handel-Halvorsen, Bartok, and original music composed live by Meyer. Their dynamic performances are as accessible as they are innovative, offering a fresh, modern take on classical music.

  • With playing that is “fierce and lyrical” and works that are “other-worldly” (The Strad) and “evocative” (New York Times)Jessica Meyer is an award-winning composer and violist whose passionate musicianship radiates accessibility and emotional clarity.  

    Since the start of her composition career in 2014 at age 40, Meyer's compositions have viscerally explored the wide palette of colors available to each instrument while combining techniques inspired by her experiences as a contemporary and period instrumentalist.  Her works have been performed in venues from the Kennedy Center to Carnegie Hall, by musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, and by orchestras around the country. Premieres have included performances by GRAMMY-winning vocal ensembles Roomful of Teeth and Vox Clamantis, the St. Lawrence String Quartet as the composer in residence at Spoleto Festival USA, the American Brass Quintet, PUBLIQuartet, Sybarite 5, NOVUS NY of Trinity Wall Street, a work for A Far Cry commissioned by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Juilliard School for a project with the Historical Performance Program, and by the Lorelei Ensemble for a song cycle that received the Dale Warland Singers Commission Award from Chorus America.

    Upcoming premieres include a work for MET tenor Paul Appleby and the Claremont Trio, a work for viola and piano commissioned by the Pre-College Department of The Juilliard School, and a new orchestral piece to be premiered by a consortium of orchestras across the United States.  In 2023, she joined both the Viola and Chamber Music Faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.

Full Concert Information:

Sarah Whitney with guest artist Jessica Meyer, composer & violist
Saturday, March 15th, 2025 at 7:30PM
First Parish Church, 20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA


Saturday, April 26th, 2025

Sarah Whitney, Pascale Delache-Feldman, and Emmanuel Feldman goes on the road!

About This Concert

Hailed as “Bold…edgy…totally engaging! Not to be missed!” Beyond the Notes breaks down the wall between audience and performers, creating a new experience rich in dialogue about the music and the artists themselves. Indeed, concert-goers are invited to submit questions which are drawn at random and answered on stage by the performers throughout the evening, leading to unexpected and captivating moments none will soon forget.

Artistic director and violinist Sarah Whitney, double-bassist Pascale Delache-Feldman, and cellist Emmanuel Feldman will present an innovative program of solos, duos, and trios including works by Ravel, Bach, Florence Price, Piazzolla, and John Lennon.

Tickets $25 online only.  There may be a limited number of tickets available at the door on a first come first served basis. Please note ALL seating is unreserved so please come early to ensure a good seat. Doors open at 4:30pm.



WHAT is Beyond the Notes?

Beyond the Notes is a unique concert experience like no other. 

Started 9 years ago by Concord-native Sarah Whitney, this interactive concert experience changes perceptions of traditional classical concerts and deepens the connection between audience and performer. 

In addition to presenting some of today’s most sought-after musicians, Beyond the Notes invites audience members to participate in the concert by submitting written questions to be answered live on stage by the performers. 

WHAT are audience members saying about Beyond the Notes?

“Bold … edgy … totally engaging! Not to be missed!”

“An immersive experience ... fully embraces beyond the music!”

“Beyond the Notes is an unforgettable evening that expertly combines high artistic values with charm and personality!”

“Sarah’s programming draws everyone in from the get-go, and the evening flies by from there. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!”— Hilary Field Respass (Boston University Tanglewood Institute)