Music Is the Soundtrack of Our Lives

Ruth Shane and Barry Gartell both came to Rockport Music as “trailing spouses” says Ruth.  Ruth first entered the Rockport Music community when she and her late husband Bill began attending chamber music concerts in the early 90s. Bill became a Rockport Music Trustee in 2005 and served until his passing in 2009.  Ruth was invited to take over Bill’s seat and carried his legacy forward at Rockport Music with ten years of service as a board member and as chair of Rockport Music’s Oral History Project. Of this experience Ruth says, “I am forever grateful for the way I was embraced by the leaders of the organization.”

Barry was thrilled to have been introduced to the organization by his wife. “I happily married into Rockport Music when I married Ruth, and I enjoy the role of trailing spouse,” says Barry. For Ruth, listening to live music has become a very important part of their cultural lives. “Music of various genres provides a soundtrack to my life,” says Ruth. “These days, we owe much of our engagement with live music to the wonderful offerings of Rockport Music.”

Ruth and Barry both had music in their lives from a young age. In Ruth’s home growing up, there was frequently classical music on the stereo. During high school, she performed with her school’s choral music group and in musical theater productions.  In college she went on to sing in a select choral group.

Barry first discovered classical music in high school when invited by a classmate to join him while he rehearsed Bach’s two-part inventions. Furthering his interest, Barry would return home to Binghamton, NY to attend performances of the Guarneri String Quartet, which was in residence at SUNY Binghamton. During graduate school, Barry was a classical music announcer with the University of Arizona local NPR radio station. Barry says “It [chamber music] gives me a better opportunity to appreciate the multi-part nature of classical music.”

Ruth and Barry are committed to supporting the cultural landscape on Cape Ann and Rockport Music as a rich cultural gem on that landscape. For Ruth, there were many reasons to support the organization:

There is much to appreciate: the connections to the people who founded and grew the organization in its early years, the sense of community that is a part of the culture of Rockport Music, the accessibility of Artistic Director Barry Shiffman who cordially engages with concert-goers and, of course, the exquisite acoustics and aesthetics of the performance hall.

Ensuring Rockport Music’s success as a cultural resource for future generations appeals to our sense of community and desire to sustain our love of music.  This is why we support the organization any way we can— as patrons, donors and by joining the Linden Tree Society and providing something for Rockport Music after we are gone.

 

If you would like to consider joining the Linden Tree Society by including Rockport Music in your estate plans, please contact:

Lori Correale
Director of Development
978-546-7391 x103
lcorreale@rockportmusic.org

Learn More about Planned Giving at Rockport Music.

Benefits of Linden Tree Society Membership Include:

  • Being part of a warm community inspired by musical excellence and the beauty of Cape Ann
  • Invitations to special receptions, seminars and concerts throughout the year
  • Listing in select Rockport Music publications (or you may remain anonymous if you prefer)