Bringing live music to Woodbridge with Meetinghouse Music Series

Communities are shaped not only by their schools, libraries, and parks, but also by the cultural experiences that bring people together. In Woodbridge, we are fortunate to live just minutes from world‑class music in New Haven. But opportunities to hear outstanding musicians perform right here in town — in an intimate setting where neighbors can gather — are relatively rare.

That is part of the inspiration behind the new Meetinghouse Music Series, which will launch this spring at the First Church of Christ in Woodbridge. The goal of the series is straightforward: bring exceptional musicians to Woodbridge and create a welcoming space where people can experience exceptional live music close to home while strengthening the cultural life of the community.

The inaugural concert will take place Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Church of Christ at 5 Meetinghouse Lane. The opening performance will feature pianist Nenad Ivović and bassoonist Frank Morelli — two musicians with international reputations who also share strong ties to the New Haven and Woodbridge community.

Ivović, who has served as the church’s organist since 2017, studied at the Yale School of Music and is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in New York City. Morelli, a Woodbridge resident and longtime Yale School of Music faculty member, is one of the most recorded bassoonists in the world, with more than 200 recordings and multiple solo appearances at Carnegie Hall.

Their program for the opening concert — titled “From Brahms to Ellington” — reflects the spirit of the series. The repertoire will include Brahms’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in E minor (transcribed for bassoon and piano) as well as the Concertino for bassoon and piano by Brazilian composer Francisco Mignone. These works highlight both the lyrical beauty and expressive range of the bassoon, an instrument that audiences do not always have the chance to hear featured as a solo voice.

The idea for the Meetinghouse Music Series grew from several unique elements that came together in Woodbridge in recent years.

First is the space itself. The sanctuary at the First Church of Christ has undergone an extensive restoration over the past several years. The historic interior — which seats roughly 250 people — has been carefully preserved and restored under the supervision of the John Canning Company, work that has received state, regional, and national preservation awards. The result is a space that is both visually beautiful and acoustically remarkable.

Second is the instrument. The church recently acquired a Yamaha C7 concert grand piano, an instrument capable of supporting everything from solo recitals to chamber ensembles and vocal performances. With the piano in place, the sanctuary has become a natural setting for concerts.

Taken together — performers, place, and piano — the opportunity to create a community concert series became clear. With the right setting and instrument available, it became possible to invite outstanding musicians from the region and beyond to perform in a setting that feels intimate and accessible.

While classical music will be a cornerstone of the series, the long-term vision is broader. Future performances most likely will include jazz, gospel, folk, bluegrass, and world music, reflecting the many musical traditions that bring communities together.

The March concert is only the beginning. A second performance is already planned for Sunday, May 10, titled “Our Stories in Song,” featuring internationally acclaimed gospel singer Theresa Thomason and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Boratko on piano, both of whom have performed with the Grammy Award‑winning Paul Winter Consort.

The hope is that the Meetinghouse Music Series will grow into a regular cultural offering for Woodbridge and the surrounding region — a place where people can come together to listen, reflect, and share in the experience of live music.

Admission to the inaugural concert will be a suggested donation of $20 at the door. Readers are invited to visit our website for more information about the Meetinghouse Music Series or to attend the March 29 concert. For further information, contact me by email.

— Jonathan Gorham, concert series co-producer