The VSO Jukebox series brings intimacy and accessibility to classical music

By James Kent

There is such an excitement and enthusiasm to Matt LaRocca’s voice that after speaking with him for a few minutes, one can’t escape the feeling that they know him, have been friends for years, and can’t wait to hang out and talk again. LaRocca curates The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) Jukebox series, a program he helped shepherd into its existing form when it began as “Sound and Soil” in 2016. Renamed and reformulated in 2017 to the Jukebox series, these scaled-down performances are a breeding ground for experimentation and an opportunity to introduce new audiences to classical music and give seasoned audiences a chance to experience music differently than they’re used to. 

The current Jukebox program, “With a Little Help From Our Friends,” continues LaRocca’s tradition of “mixing things up” and delighting audiences with something unexpected. In this case, LaRocca and the VSO reached out to fans of the Jukebox series and asked them for their assistance in picking the musical selections. The VSO held a drawing, and six fans got to choose from a wide range of past Jukebox performances. 

“The music is all awesome, and it goes all over the map,” LaRocca said about the music the fans chose for this Jukebox series. “I’ve never seen or done anything like this before. Jukebox is one of our best avenues to experiment, and having it designed by audience members is exciting.”

The program lineup for the event includes:

Elena Kats Chernin – “Pink Breasted Robin”

Rhiannon Giddens – “At the Purchaser’s Option”

Bryce Dessner – “Aheym”

Peter Warlock – “Capriol Suite”

Stevie Wonder arr. Saulnier – “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”

Jessie Montgomery – “Strum”

Turtle Island String Quartet – “Spider Dreams”

The VSO Jukebox quartet features:

Brooke Quiggins-Saulnier, Violin

Jane Kittredge, Violin

John Dunlop, Cello

Stefanie Taylor, Viola

LaRocca shared the premise behind Jukebox is to make concerts more intimate and informal. “ We want to take a page from rock bands and make the performances more interactive,” LaRocca said. “The music we play is killer, but the show feels relaxed and comfortable.” 

Audiences used to the expectation of watching a symphony perform on stage from the comfort of their chosen seat in an auditorium will be in for a treat if this is their first time attending a Jukebox performance. The audience, LaRocca, and the Quartet share the same stage, with the audience in a horseshoe formation around the musicians. LaRocca said this type of setting engages the audience much differently from other VSO concerts.

“People will hang around after the show, chat with each other, the musicians,” LaRocca said. “I get a chance to hear what people like and what connected with them.”

Rutland’s Alexis Scangas, one of the fans who got to contribute a selection to the “With a Little Help From Our Friends” program, concurred with La Rocca’s sentiments. “I like the casual feel,” Scangas said of attending a Jukebox series event. “It feels more like how it may have been when the songs were first written and performed. It feels like you are contributing to the experience.”

Scangas, a music educator and singer, said that the intimacy of Jukebox makes the music more accessible. “It gives people the opportunity to experience music in a way that they may not otherwise experience. A lot of people get overwhelmed by the idea of classical music, and that’s not necessary.” Scangas noted that these composers were all just people and that series like Jukebox help break down any elitist walls that some may think, real or imagined, about classical music. 

There are three opportunities to catch “With a Little Help From Our Friends”:one show in Burlington, one show in South Pomfret at The Hayloff at Artistree on Nov. 14, and a final show at The Paramount Theatre in Rutland on Nov. 16. Each show will feature an introduction of some of the music selections by the winners of the drawing. Scangas will attend the Paramount Theatre show.

What’s next for Jukebox? LaRocca said the VSO is already working on its next Jukebox program, which will feature interpretations of rock music, and is sure to surprise many people.

For ticket information, go to vso.org. For tickets to the Nov. 14 event at Artistree in South Pomfret, go to artistreevt.org/artistree-events. For tickets to the Nov. 16 event at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland, go to paramountvt.org.