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Classicopia—A Passion Shared
Researched and Written by Janine Weins
(Posted 10/25/06)

When people of exceptional talent and intellect find a mission for their passion, something extraordinary can happen. In 2000, Marcia Colligan and Daniel Weiser founded Classicopia and offered their passion to the community.

When Marcia had the time to do what had been a life-long ambition—perfect her skills playing Chopin—she contacted Dan. While they shared time on the keyboard and conversation over sips of sherry, Marcia and Dan explored their passion for chamber music and their vision of bringing the music they loved to their community. Marcia, who had been an administrator at Dartmouth College and involved with church and community activities, would be president and CEO of the new venture. Dan, an accomplished musician and musical historian who is on the music faculties of Dartmouth College and St. Paul's School, would be artistic director. They named their venture Classicopia because, much like the cornucopia of mythology that offered an endless supply of food and drink, they wanted their venture to offer an endless supply of classic music experiences.

When first published, much of the music Marcia and Dan enjoyed was performed in salons, the drawing rooms, and reception rooms of large homes. They felt, therefore, that it was appropriate that Classicopia's first concert be a Salon Concert in Marcia's living room at which Dan played the music of Marcia's favorite composer, Chopin.

Since their first Salon Concert, in the winter of 2000, Classicopia has offered dozens of Salon Concerts and more than 200 public concerts in diverse community venues. Marcia, who raised six children, and Dan, who has young twin daughters, have developed programs for children. One, Beethovan Lives In New England, introduces young children to the life and music of Beethoven. Classicopia also has a summer music camp for young musicians and works with Upper Valley elementary, middle school, and high school children to arrange chamber music groupings.

The first weekend of each month, Classicopia offers a public concert at three different small venues. Some of the venues at which they have performed are the Lyme Congregational Church, Norwich Congregational Church, Roth Center and Rollins Chapel at Dartmouth College, Bradford Congregational Church, the Calvin Coolidge Homestead and the Synagogue in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.

June 4th of this year I attended the Classicopia concert By George at Alumni Hall in Haverhill. Dan played the piano and Erma Gattle Mellinger, a mezzo-soprano who has sung with the Cleveland Opera and the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, sang songs of George Gershwin. Between songs, Dan provided informative engaging commentary on the life and works of George Gershwin.

Classicopia's concert the first weekend in November will be Windfall. The concert will feature works for oboe, bassoon, and piano. Dan will play the piano. Neil Boyer, the principal oboist of the Portland Symphony Orchestra of Maine will play oboe while Janet Polk, principal bassoonist of the Portland Symphony Orchestra of Maine and the Vermont Symphony will play bassoon. Windfall will be performed at 7:30 PM on Friday, November 3rd in Alumni Hall in Haverhill, on Saturday at 7:30 PM in the Library Arts Center in Newport, and again on Sunday at 3:00 PM in Rollins Chapel on the Dartmouth College campus in Hanover.

Classicopia's Salon Series include several three-session classical lecture/performances each year. This fall's Salon program was the Life and Music of Ludwig Beethoven. At the first session, Dan spoke about Beethoven's life from the time of his birth in 1770 until 1798 when he published Pathetique; Dan then played works of Beethoven that were published during this time. At the second session, Dan spoke about Beethoven's life between 1797–98 and 1805 during which time Beethoven began to realize he was becoming deaf and published both the Tempest Sonata and the "Eroica" symphony. During each of the sessions, Dan played music published by the composer and offered commentary on the life and music of Beethoven. During his commentary, Dan intertwined his comments with quotes from other musical scholars.

If you would like to learn more about Classicopia, their programs, and their concert schedule, visit http://www.classicopia.org/.