To the editor:
Four years ago, if you had told me that a concert at Star of the Sea would cause a traffic jam on Atlantic Avenue because so many people were coming to hear Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, I would have thought you were pulling my leg.
Since its founding in 2022, the Star of the Sea Concert Series has grown into something I am incredibly proud of. We have brought together extraordinary professional musicians, volunteers, supporters and audiences for performances that I believe have become an important part of the cultural life of Marblehead.
None of this would have been possible without the enthusiastic support of Our Lady Star of the Sea and Monsignor Moran, whose commitment to the arts and belief in the power of music within the life of the church is increasingly rare.
But if the concert series is going to continue to grow, we need the support of the wider community.
Our 2026–2027 season will feature nine events, including major programs at Christmas and Easter. We work hard to keep expenses manageable while presenting ambitious, high-quality performances. Bringing these programs to life requires professional musicians, production resources, and significant investment — and we believe the artists who make them possible deserve to be compensated fairly.
I am hoping to bring together Marbleheaders who believe that having ambitious, high-quality classical, choral and orchestral music in our town is something worth preserving. We are looking for people interested in helping with fundraising, sponsorships, grants, marketing, community outreach, event logistics and, potentially, serving on a board or leadership committee.
You do not need to be a musician, nor do you need to make a major financial commitment. We need people willing to contribute their time, ideas, expertise, connections, enthusiasm or resources.
The response to concerts like Beethoven’s Ninth has shown us that there is an audience for this music in Marblehead. My hope is that we can build upon that success and create a Concert Series that is financially secure, sustainable and capable of planning ambitious programs for years to come.
I believe deeply in what this series can become. But I cannot build that future alone.
If you have attended one of our concerts, supported the series, or simply believe that live music and the arts make Marblehead a better place to live, I hope you will consider becoming part of what comes next.
Sincerely,
Matthew Arnold
Artistic director, Star of the Sea Concert Series
