Bluegrass At Trinity Church, Sunday

Music at Trinity’s free community concert series will depart from its classical series to showcase American roots music on Saturday, April 16. The Connecticut band ShoreGrass will perform at 4 pm.

ShoreGrass is already well known to Newtown audiences, having performed at Newtown’s Armed Forces Day Tribute events at Edmond Town Hall in 2003 and 2004. The band has already promised to return for this year’s Armed Forces Day Tribute concert next month.

The Trinity program will consist of “old-timey,” early country, traditional bluegrass, folk, gospel and original music.

ShoreGrass is a bluegrass band from the Connecticut shoreline, comprised of Barbara and Frank Shaw (guitar and banjo), Paul Pozzi (mandolin), Larry Rothermel (fiddle) and Bob Csugie (bass). Started by the Shaws of Branford as a duet, the group has expanded to the traditional five bluegrass pieces and has performed as a quintet since December 1999.

 Their music is a lively mix of traditional American bluegrass, old-time, gospel, early country and folk songs as well as original pieces reflecting their roots in contemporary music. All five members of the band sing, giving the group that unique bluegrass blend of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and bass while alternating leads on three and four-part vocal harmonies.

Their musicianship gives the audience an ensemble experience that demonstrates the range and uniqueness of each instrument as well as an unusually rich vocal blend, all delivered with the special sense of humor that marks all ShoreGrass performances.

There will be a reception following the concert.

Freewill donations to support the continuance of this program are encouraged and will be gratefully accepted.

Trinity Episcopal Church is at 30 Main Street in Newtown, with parking available off Church Hill Road. For additional information contact the church office at 426-9070.