The Pioneer Consort’s annual “Noel” holiday concerts were a beloved part of the valley’s holiday celebrations for many years, until they stopped in 2014. And now, after a lengthy 11-year hiatus, the Noel concert will return on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square in Greenfield.
The Pioneer Consort consists of Michael Nix, who plays guitar, banjar and mandolin; Chris Devine, who plays violin, viola, mandolin, recorders and flute; and Mark Fraser on cello. For this concert, they are joined by the Twice as Smart Chorus, which is directed by Gloria Matlock.
The Noel concert will feature the Consort performing a mix of familiar and esoteric holiday music from their best-selling holiday disc “Noel” and African-American Christmas music with the Twice as Smart Chorus.
The Pioneer Consort grew out of the longstanding musical relationship between Devine of Sunderland and Nix of Greenfield. Both musicians are well known on the local scene. Nix is a popular teacher, recording artist and performer who has played throughout the U.S. and Asia. He is a banjo innovator, known for creating the seven-string banjar, combining the elements of the five-string banjo and classical guitar.
Devine is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who has worked in a wide range of styles from classical to rock. He serves as a session player on hundreds of recordings and has also been a member of various bands.
The pair’s musical partnership dates back to the 1990s.
“In 2005 I organized a ‘Michael Nix and Friends’ concert at First Church of Deerfield, performing my compositions and arrangements and collaborating with people from diverse practices: a spoken word artist, a Native American flutist, and the chamber musicians,” Nix explained about the roots of the Pioneer Consort.
Devine was one of these friends, and he suggested that cellist Greg Snedeker join the performance as well. Once the three started playing together, the musical chemistry was undeniable. “We all created music in that concert that seemed to be bigger than the notes on the page,” said Nix. “We really enjoyed rehearsing and playing together.”
They went on to play some concerts locally and in 2006 officially became the Pioneer Consort, taking the name from Pioneer Valley and also as a nod to making chamber music differently.
From the start, Nix knew he wanted the Pioneer Consort repertoire to consist of compositions and arrangements that drew on many cultures and musical styles, including classical, jazz, folk and world music.
“Our individual performance styles are also very energetic and at times theatrical so the Pioneer Consort performances became known for engaging, entertaining chamber concerts,” Nix said.
In 2008, they released their first album, “World View,” and followed up with the holiday album, “Noel” in 2009. The album captured the Consort’s eclectic approach to music-making. “We chose to play a combination of the very familiar and more obscure, sometimes rustic, sometimes polished, but always authentic,” as they explain in the liner notes for the album.
The Pioneer Consort played several holiday shows that year. In 2010, they started the annual holiday “Noel” concerts in the Pioneer Valley at the historic Brick Church, the First Church of Deerfield, which ran annually until 2014.
But when his mother took ill, Nix had to step away from this project and spent the next few years caring for family. In 2019, he returned to music with his solo release for his new “classic banjo” project. Then another setback came in 2020 when COVID-19 arrived.
Finally, the time is now right for this reunion.
There will be a couple of changes on tap — Fraser will be on cello as Snedeker is unable to perform. Fraser, of Montague, is a founding member of the Adaskin String Trio and the executive artistic director of Mohawk Trail Concerts.
And of course, there will be the addition of the Twice as Smart Chorus, which consists of students in the Twice as Smart after-school, educational program in Greenfield, founded by Gloria Matlock. An experienced musician, Matlock serves as the chorus director.
The Twice as Smart chorus has performed throughout the Valley, most recently at last week’s JingleFest in downtown Greenfield. Nix has accompanied the group, playing banjo and guitar at some of their concerts.
He believes they will be a welcome addition to this year’s performance. “The Twice as Smart has a repertoire of Christmas music, both traditional and Afro-American, which they have performed in concerts, churches, and for Yankee Candle holiday events,” he said “I invited them to sing to bring the special flavor of their music to the concert.”
Nix also made an arrangement of the Ukrainian “Carol of the Bells” for both Twice as Smart and the Pioneer Consort to perform together.
Nix said he couldn’t be happier about the return of the Noel concert.
“I love the collaborative work of bringing musicians together to make an evening of art and performance,” he said. “I find it fun, gratifying and a good challenge. It’s also a trip down memory lane, resurrecting the many good arrangements and tickling my memories of concerts past. From my perspective, more than being a concert for my personal gratification, I view this concert as a gift to the community of the Pioneer Valley.”
Admission is suggested donation of $20.
For more information, visit info@nixworks.com or call 413-772-0328.
A Very Slambovian Christmas at the Shea
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, the band from upstate New York led by Joziah Longo and his wife Tink, has been a favorite of Valley audiences for many years now.
On Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., they will bring their annual holiday show, “A Very Slambovian Christmas,” to the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls. Known for their psychedelic-meets-Americana sound, fantastical lyrics and exuberant live shows, you know the band will go all out during this festive time of year.
In their press release for the show, they said that audiences can expect Christmas songs with a Slambovian twist and rockin’ original seasonal tunes for a fun, outside-the-box holiday show. This concert is guaranteed to “flip your switch” and spark the holiday spirit.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is currently working on their 7th studio album, due out in 2026 on their label, Storm King Records. Show is appropriate for all ages.
Tickets are available in advance of the show at sheatheater.org or at 413-648-7432. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.