What we do: The Merrimack Concert Association serves the greater Merrimack region with quality live music performances. We typically perform three times a year (Winter, Spring and July 3). Our organization provides the opportunity to sing in an intergenerational choir, to dust off that old instrument from middle school or to meet new friends (or rediscover old friends). Come and see what we’re all about!
Rehearsals: (Contact us to see when we’re meeting!) Chorus meets on Sundays from 7-9PM | Location: John O’Leary Adult Community Ctr (map) Band meets on Tuesdays at 7:30PM | Location: Band Rm, Merrimack Middle School (map)
Mission:
Merrimack Concert Association offers amateur and professional musicians an artistic, recreational, and educational experience through the rehearsal and performance of a wide variety of instrumental and vocal music; to provide the residents of the area quality yet inexpensive entertainment.
Tickets
Winter Concert:
Saturday, December 14th @ 1PM | Merrimack High School
The Merrimack Concert Association Chorus meets on Sunday nights from 7PM – 9PM in the large room at the John O’Leary Adult Community Center (4 Church Street, Merrimack, NH 03054). (map) The ensemble puts on several concerts throughout the year which include the Winter Concert, Spring Concert and yearly Independence Eve Concert.
Membership in the ensemble is open to anyone of any age or ability.
December 2024 Concert Practice Schedule
Sunday, September 22
Sunday, September 29
Sunday, October 6
Sunday, October 20
Sunday, October 27
Sunday, November 3
Sunday, November 17
Sunday, November 24
Sunday, December 1
Sunday, December 8
Friday, December 13 (Time TBD)
Saturday, December 14 (Concert @ 1PM)
Mr. Jamie Saucier, MCA Choral Director 2010-current
Biography
Mr. Saucier is a native of New Hampshire; having grown up in Derry and currently residing in East Kingston with his wife, sons and daughter. By day he is the Senior Project Manager/Estimator for NESC, Inc. in Salisbury, MA. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Pre-teaching. While at UNH, he was heavily involved in all choral ensembles and a cappella groups. He musically directed Alabaster Blue, a co-ed a cappella group, and founded Not Too Sharp, an all male barbershop and a cappella group.
After graduation Mr. Saucier went to work in the public schools in the New England and New York areas. While in New York he attended Ithaca College and received his Master of Music degree in Music with a specialty in Music Education. After having taught for four years he went for a change of careers and started his position at UNH Manchester as the Student Activities/Involvement Coordinator. While in this position he has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and founded many musical student clubs (Milling Around, a cappella group; Brick and Mortar, theatre group among others).
He is the founder and director of Voices of the (603), an a cappella festival for middle and high schools in the state of NH. He completed his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Educational Leadership specializing in Arts, Leadership and Learning from Plymouth State University. He is a volunteer on many nonprofits in the state including: Seacoast Entertainer, New Road Project, East Kingston Historical Society and NHICC. He is a former Board chair of East Kingston School Board and Arts4NH (formerly NH Citizens for the Arts). When he is not conducting this chorus, he can be found conducting the Nashua Granite Statesmen (barbershop men’s group).
Dr. Olga Berkovich is a pianist, piano teacher, composer, and musicologist. Dr. Berkovich is a graduate of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory named P.I. Tchaikovsky, holds degrees in piano and composition. She obtained a Ph.D. in pedagogy with her thesis on teaching composition to future music educators. Dr. Berkovich is an avid writer and has authored several publications in music theory and education. Her book Methods of Teaching Composition and Improvisation has been published in Russia and Germany and serves as a reputable source for music composition teachers. Dr. Berkovich has almost thirty years of experience as an accomplished teacher, theorist, and composer across many schools and universities in Moscow. Her work has led her to teach multiple masterclasses and serve on the juries of several performance and composition competitions. During her time in Moscow, her students became professional pianists and teachers, as well as winners of regional and international piano and composition competitions. Dr. Berkovich currently resides with her family in the United States, where she continues her career as an active performer, teacher, and adjudicator. She is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Dr. Berkovich regularly works with the ABRSM and Royal Conservatory programs, successfully preparing students for piano and theory exams. Her students perform at festivals and concerts and triumph in numerous competitions.
The Merrimack Concert Association Band meets on Tuesday nights from 7:30PM – 9:30PM in the band room at Merrimack Middle School (31 Madeline Bennett Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054). The ensemble puts on several concerts throughout the year which include the Winter Concert, Spring Concert and yearly Independence Eve Concert.
September 24,
October 1, Oct 15, 22 and 29
November 12, 19, and 26
December 3 and 10
Membership in the ensemble is open to anyone of any age or ability. You must be able to provide your own instrument.
Director: Toby Stillson
Biography Toby Stillson holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from St. Cloud State University (SCSU). He has over 25 years of professional musical experience as a music director, performer, composer/ arranger. He began his teaching career in his first year at SCSU teaching Winter Drumlines and Percussion Ensembles in area High Schools and directing some of the summer Marching programs.
He then took the position of Director of Bands in ISD 317 Deer River, MN before moving out of the Midwest area. He has continued to teach percussion at Central High School, Pinkerton Academy and is currently the Head Instructor and the Percussion Instructor for Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH. He has concentrated his studies and teaching to Concert Percussion and Marching Percussion. He has played with the Majestic Theatre Company, Windham Community Band, Grand Rapids Area Wind Ensemble, St. Cloud Symphony and SCSU performing groups like: Wind Ensemble, Sonare Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Mallet Ensemble, and The World Drumming Group.
