Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m.—POULTNEY — The Stone Valley Arts Center will come alive with music on Friday evening, as David Feurzeig, composer, pianist, and professor at the University of Vermont, brings his climate-conscious concert tour “Play Every Town” to Poultney. The free performance is part of Feurzeig’s ambitious mission to perform in each of Vermont’s 252 towns in an effort to inspire climate action through the power of local music.
Concert #83 in the series, the Poultney performance will feature Feurzeig alongside violinists Heather Munch and Lana Weltman and saxophonist Maximus DiDomenico. The event is free to attend, with donations accepted to benefit the Poultney United Fund.
Launched in 2022, “Play Every Town” challenges the norms of jet-setting performers and high-emission tours. Instead, Feurzeig travels exclusively in a solar-charged electric vehicle, highlighting the importance of sustainability and connection. “Routine jet travel is unsustainable—which means it’s literally not possible to keep doing. I want to model a performance culture that doesn’t require hopping on a plane and flying all over the world,” Feurzeig said.
Known for genre-blending recitals and lively commentary, Feurzeig’s programs mix classical, jazz, avant-garde, and popular music in unexpected and engaging ways. The Poultney performance will feature compositions tied to local history, including:
“Adoration” by Florence Price, performed by Heather Munch
“Some of My Favorite Things” by Shirley Givens, played by Lana Weltman, a Poultney first grader and Munch’s student
Beethoven’s Sonatina in F major (1790), marking the founding year of Vermont’s first library in Poultney
Haydn’s Sonata No. 41 in B-flat major (1784), honoring Jeffrey Brace, the African-born author of Vermont’s first slave narrative who settled in Poultney
Liszt’s 1867 funeral march commemorating the town’s first organized Jewish community
Henry Zickel’s “Eureka March,” celebrating Poultney’s first slate mine and the region’s lasting slate industry
Feurzeig’s concerts aim to break down the formality of classical music while fostering a sense of local pride and global responsibility. “If I don’t get a laugh from the audience in the first two minutes, I get worried,” he said, noting his commitment to making performances enjoyable and accessible.
For more information, visit: playeverytown.com.
