The Mathematics of Making Music
Sydney Bender

David Rhoderick is a professional musician. He is also a mainframe evangelist for IBM. These may seem like two completely different skills, but to Mr. Rhoderick, both jobs are like chord progressions, they harmonize.

Mr. Rhoderick is the organist at the West Tisbury Congregational Church, a job he secured in April after acting as the church’s interim music director this past winter.

On Sunday June 2 at 4 p.m. the West Tisbury Congregational Church will host a concert featuring Mr. Rhoderick and the church choir.

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On Tour: Willy Mason Is Home Grown Music Marvel
Max Hart

Up until two years ago, Willy Mason had never played a gig off-Island.

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Consummate Musician From First Cigarette to Last Dyin’ Day
Remy Tumin

The first time Leonard Bernstein laid his young fingers on the keys of a piano at the age of 10 he felt as though he had been touched by God.

He would sit at the piano, hour after hour, his father berating him to quit playing while his mother encouraged him to continue. Even growing up in a hostile environment with only his aunt’s piano as musical inspiration couldn’t stop him from becoming one of the most watched and listened to musicians in the world.

Perhaps even the greatest American musician, ever.

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Making Friends, Taking Names: Musician Boosts Best Buddies
Jonah Lipsky

A few weeks ago, on the day of his concert at the Old Whaling Church with Ben Taylor and friends, Julian (just Julian) stopped by St. Andrew’s Church located around the corner from the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. Julian had always liked the look of the church, “something out of Robin Hood,” and wanted to say a small prayer before the show.

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Songs from the Heart of the Vineyard
Nina Tarnawsky

Few people embody the statement “still waters run deep” more than Island singer-songwriter Willy Mason, equal parts thoughtful and lighthearted as he considers his musical roots and his career.

He is half done with his next album, which should be released around January. In August and September, he will be playing festivals in the United Kingdom.

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Local Boy, Global Talent

On Saturday, March 5 KCT Concerts opens up its 2011 season with Willy Mason performing at the Katharine Cornell Theater.

KCT Concerts has a history of bringing to the Island incredible musical acts including last year’s headliners Paddy Keenan, Oisin MacDiarmada and Richie Stearns, to name just a few.

Of course, Willy Mason doesn’t have to be brought to the Island. He lives here. And yet the man is global. Later this spring he will be back touring Europe as he did last summer with Norah Jones.

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Vineyard Musician Tries to Reverse the Drumbeat of War, One Student at Time
Peter Brannen

The percussion of daily life for too many Israelis and Palestinians includes the snare of machine gun fire, or the bass of bomb blasts. But Vineyarder Rick Bausman has ventured to the region, first in 2009 and again 2010, with new rhythms to inspire and unite the next generation of Jews, Muslims and Christians. This October he returns for a nine-day drumming bus tour of the region and he wants Islanders to have the first chance to sign up.

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Vineyard Songstress Rocks Judges at American Idol

Admit it, you're an American Idol fanatic. Well, even if you're not, have never heard of the show perhaps, there is reason for Vineyarders to tune in to the current season.

Last week, at the Pittsburgh auditions for the show, Erika Van Pelt scored a yellow ticket to Hollywood with her rendition of Carol King’s, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

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