Dunderberg Gallery’s Thursday, June 26 concert will focus on “Banned Composers Throughout History”. Featured instrumentalists will be John Colonna (piano), Rick Mollin (bass) and Barbara Siesel (flute). (Photo from Dunderberg Gallery)

GILBERTSVILLE - A second season of concerts at Gilbertsville’s Dunderberg Gallery begins on Thursday, June 26. The 2025 theme is “Intersections,” referring to the exploration of musical crossroads from 1965 to the present. Each of the five concerts will explore how classical, jazz, new music, and folk music have influenced one another and how historical events, cultural shifts, and artistic innovations have shaped and transformed these musical forms.

Thursday’s concert will focus on “Banned Composers Throughout History” – Marin Marais (1656 – 1728), Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) and Billy Strayhorn (1915 – 1967). Featured instrumentalists will be John Colonna (piano), Rick Mollin (bass) and Barbara Siesel (flute).

Marais, whose works spanned the 17th and 18th centuries, encountered objections to some of his rhythms, which some considered too suggestive to be formed. While neither he nor his work were banned outright, Strayhorn’s ambitions to become a classical composer were quashed by the classical music world, at that time almost totally dominated by white men. In 1951, Monk’s New York City Cabaret Card was revoked because he refused to testify against a friend charged with possession of cocaine. This action restricted his ability to perform live for several years.

“I'm excited to be presenting concerts this summer that juxtapose classical, jazz, new music, and folk music on the same concerts to find connection and community and to reflect on the changes these forms have undergone since 1965. For example, how have jazz and new electronic music influenced each other in form, improvisation, and extended techniques? How has modern flute repertoire changed with the addition of electronics and improvisation? How did the politics of the 1960s influence the music of today?” said Barbara Siesel, curator and organizer of the series.

The remaining summer playbill includes:

July 11: “American Songbook with a Twist,” exploring the folk revival of the 1960s and the modern folk revival of today. Performance musicians will be Khalil Jade, Liam Herbert, and Keith Torgan.

July 24: "New Compositions" by John Colonna Trio, with John Colonna (piano), Kenji Tokunaga (bass), Joelle Proctor (drums), Thad Wheeler with Evan Jagels (bass), Francesca Vanescu (cello), and Marshall Coid (violin).

August 21: "Electronic Music/New Media," with Patrick Rost (keyboard and electronics), Barbara Siesel (flute and video), and John Colonna (piano).

August 24: “All Flutes - Plugged and Unplugged!” with flutists Carol Wincenc, Yidi Wang, Ana Laura Gonzalez and Barbara Siesel.

The Dunderberg Gallery, located at 118 Marion Ave. in Gilbertsville, is a renovated hardware store showcasing both the ceramic and visual art of its owner Marcus Villagran, as well as exhibiting works by local, national, and international artists. Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-Information provided by the Dunderberg Gallery