Attending the Boston Holiday Pops? Keep your eyes and ears open for a musical journey on the Sudbury River. The beauty of the Sudbury River has been captured by Richard Sebring, Principal Horn of the Boston Pops. This is the second time he has composed a musical and visual journey on the river near and dear to his home. The Boston Pops will perform the piece, entitled “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel,” during the first half of the concert, and will be accompanied by a display of Richard’s Sudbury River photographs and videos.
“Sharing the winter splendor of the Sudbury Rier with so many people, through the magic of music and moving imagery, is a blessing.” states Richard Sebring. “And it’s a special gift to have the matchless musicians of the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus offer this brief respite at Boston’s Symphony Hall during the busy holiday season.”
Lying just a half hour west of Boston, the wild and scenic wonderland of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers displays a subtle, ephemeral natural beauty in every season. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, where these images were captured, was once in danger of being bisected by high-tension power lines. Thanks to the preservation efforts of a hardy group of early river advocates, we are still able to escape the buzz of 21st-century life into the magical, wild world of Thoreau’s rivers.
Today, three organizations are leading the effort to continue the work of the early river advocates. Sudbury Valley Trustees, OARS, and the River Stewardship Council collaborate to protect the scenic beauty, water quality, wildlife, and natural areas of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. Thanks to these organizations, we have cleaner water, protected conservation areas, and amazing opportunities for canoeing, fishing, hiking, and enjoying nature in all its moods and splendor.
Alison Field-Juma, Executive Director of OARS says “Our rivers are hidden gems, known mostly to those lucky enough to spy them from a bridge or trail, or paddle down them. We are thrilled that the Sudbury River is being made visible to so many people through the inspiration of the composer and horn player, Richard Sebring. We hope that people are moved to treasure and protect this Wild & Scenic River or the river that flows through their community.”
“On behalf of our partners at OARS and the River Stewardship Council, I am delighted that Richard Sebring and the Boston Pops have chosen to feature one of our region’s most cherished natural features, the Sudbury River, into this year’s Holiday Pops performances,” says Lisa Vernegaard, Sudbury Valley Trustees Executive Director. The Boston Holiday Pops concerts started on December 3 and runs through December 24.
