Join us for Mendelssohn's virtuosic Violin Concerto with soloist Sam Gray, as well as the world premiere of the Improvisation Concerto by Brian Shaheen featuring double-bassist Moppa Elliot as soloist, and much more to spell-bind our audience!
St. Peter’s Chelsea (346 W 20th St)
Tickets: $25 in advance | $30 at the door
PROGRAM
Edward Grieg Praeludium from Holberg Suite, Op. 40
Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Sam Gray, violin
Brian Shaheen Improvisation Concerto “On Wigwam Road”
Moppa Elliott, bass
Brian Shaheen Songs Selections
Move Together
Out There
Precipice
***AND MORE!***
ABOUT THE SOLOISTS
Sam Gray began playing violin at the age of nine, studying privately in the studios of Patricia Cosand, Steven Moeckel, Sarah Plum, and Gary Kosloski. He is a graduate of Drake University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While earning a degree in Actuarial Science and studying for actuarial exams, Sam served as the concertmaster of the Drake Symphony Orchestra, a role that he won during the first concert cycle of his freshman year.
In the Summer of 2016, Sam moved to New York City and worked as an actuary for three years. Upon returning home from a two-week excursion to the South of France for the Zodiac Music Academy and Festival, he decided to retire from the insurance industry and pursue his life’s passion of making music.
Sam is an experienced orchestral musician as both a section instrumentalist and leader. In 2019, he joined the Greenwich Village Orchestra under the music direction of Barbara Yahr and served the orchestra in a variety of roles, including board member, librarian, personnel manager, and section leader. In the Fall of 2021, Sam accepted the invitation of maestro Scott Wiley to be concertmaster at the Centre Symphony Orchestra. He also holds concertmaster positions at Regina Opera Company and Protestra. He has appeared at various venues in the New York metropolitan area including Kaufman Music Center: Merkin Hall, 54 Below, Tenri Cultural Institute, The Dimenna Center: Cary Hall, and the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.
In addition to orchestral performing, Sam works as a producing artist and gigging musician. His specialty as a producer is casual, intimate chamber music experiences in unconventional settings. As an artist for hire, his most notable events include the Palm Beach wedding of Brooklyn and Nicola Beckham and the birthday party of Luiz Mattos.
When not playing an instrument, he provides artistic direction at Sanctuary. Initially founded in April 2021 as “Uncommonly Studio”, Sanctuary is a wellness and performance studio located on the edge of Bushwick, Brooklyn & Ridgewood, Queens. Sam spearheads the artistic programming at Sanctuary with the belief that music in all forms can be healing for the soul.
Moppa Elliott studied double-bass and biology at Oberlin College and began his career in Cleveland, OH, before relocating to Queens in 2002. His award-winning jazz ensemble, "Mostly Other People Do the Killing" has performed at many of the world's foremost jazz festivals. Elliott currently performs as principal bassist with the Litha Symphony and New Conductors Orchestra in New York, and teaches music at Information Technology High School in Long Island City. He lives in Sunnyside with his partner and 10-month old son.