May 9, 2025: Return to musics

The Fabulous 413

Music is the food of active minds, and that’s just science. And Fridays are the time that we get our music on, but we’re even more excited to meet those for whom a musical journey is just beginning.

So we head to STEM Academy along with Rachel Rivard and Carolyn Dufresne of the Community Music School of Springfield to check out the 6th grade woodwind band, who are one of the classes that both participates in their Sonido Musica program and will benefit from the current Play It Forward Drive. We hear from the students and teachers what having music as a part of their curriculum adds to their lives and perspectives.

Then for Live Music Friday a western mass fixture makes a pivot in sound and a change in lineup to reinvent itself in wider sonic perspective. Splendid Torch has risen from the bones of Mamma’s Marmalade and just released an album last week titled Icon, for which you can join their celebration tonight at The Drake in Amherst.

Plus if you were also heartbroken at the departure of our Hampden county wine friend Michael Quinlan, you’ll be heartened by the cameo taking place in today’s wine thunderdome at State Street Fruit Store, Deli, Wine and Spirits.