MUSIC

Singer/songwriter Dar Williams has long been a luminous presence in today’s pop-folk music scene and a regular on the touring circuit. Stereo-type raves: “Dar Williams may be the best female singer-songwriter in America today,” and Paste hails her as “one of the genre’s central figures.” Her deeply felt, insightful songs and sweet singing voice have a broad appeal that transcends the boundaries of gender and generation, and her unique musical style defies categorization. Now Dar is embarking on a new boundary-crossing and definition-defying musical project: a collaboration with a classical chamber music ensemble. The IBIS Chamber Music Society has ties to both Boston and Washington DC. Founded by violinist Joseph Scheer (concertmaster of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra) and Susan Robinson (principal harp of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and Dar’s sister-in-law), IBIS prizes musical excellence, innovative programming, and a friendly performance style that delights audiences. The Washington Post has praised IBIS as “splendid” and “compelling.” Dar writes of this collaboration: “When Joe offered to arrange a few of my songs, I jumped at the opportunity. I’m very lucky to have married into this pedigreed musical family. Whenever my son sings one of his favorite Beatles songs, people smile and say he takes after me. “Not necessarily,” I say.” And from Joe: “We’re thrilled that Dar will perform with us—ever since Susan and I first heard her perform this has been a dream of ours. We are always looking for ways to stretch our musical boundaries and to make great music relevant to as broad an audience as possible.” The program will feature an exciting mix of music: original arrangements of Dar’s music (popular favorites like When I Was a Boy, Beauty of the Rain, and Buzzer to name a few), as well as classical and traditional vocal music, and works by Gershwin and tango composer Astor Piazzolla arranged for string quartet and harp.